AlUla,
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has officially marked the 2025 edition of International Arabian Leopard Day – a major milestone in ongoing efforts to safeguard the future of the Big Cat subspecies.
Held annually on 10 February, International Arabian Leopard Day draws the world’s attention to the work being carried out by RCU alongside a network of strategic conservation and wildlife protection partners, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which has classified the Arabian Leopard as critically endangered.
This year’s International Arabian Leopard Day, held in collaboration with the Arabian Leopard Fund, reinforces the global commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife and fostering an environment where the Arabian Leopard can one day thrive. Reflecting on the incredible journey of the Arabian Leopard at RCU, from welcoming the first cub, “Hope”, in 2021, to the arrival of seven more cubs in 2023, and a rare set of triplets in 2024, each step has been a leap of hope in conservation efforts. These milestones have inspired RCU’s annual campaigns, reflecting growing hope for the future of this majestic species. This year’s campaign, “Leaps of Hope”, celebrates the triplets and signifies the remarkable progress made at the Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre.
As part of the occasion, RCU launched the “Leaps of Hope” campaign to drive awareness and global engagement in conservation efforts. The initiative invites the public to participate in naming three Arabian leopard cubs born at RCU’s Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre, allowing them to learn about the cubs’ unique characteristics and vote on their names.
As part of the day’s activities, RCU also organised community-driven initiatives, including the Arabian Leopard Day Walk, aimed at raising awareness and uniting efforts to support the species. Additionally, RCU hosted the opening match of the inter-school football tournament, marking the start of AlUla’s school league, encouraging students to engage in sports while fostering environmental awareness.
The Arabian Leopard Fund launched the “Arabian Leopard Story” school workshop, designed to educate and inspire children and youth about the role of the Arabian leopard in the ecosystem and its connection to the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Through interactive activities and storytelling, students learned about the leopard’s habitat, the challenges it faces, and how they can contribute to conservation efforts. The workshop is part of a wider campaign spanning Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, engaging schools as part of a broader student outreach initiative.
RCU also announced a strategic partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) during a special event at London Zoo, where discussions centred on regenerative tourism and wildlife conservation. The event was attended by Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, founder of Catmosphere, alongside Philip Jones, RCU’s Chief Tourism Officer, and senior representatives from ZSL. The collaboration focuses on knowledge exchange, conservation strategy development, and monitoring reintroduced species to ensure ecosystem stability.
