AlUla and Arabian Leopard: A Legacy Documented by Inscriptions and Preserved by Modern Efforts
AlUla has maintained a deep historical relationship with the Arabian leopard for thousands of years, as evidenced by rock inscriptions scattered across its mountains and valleys. These inscriptions document the presence of this iconic species within the region’s natural environment and cultural memory, where it has long symbolized ecological balance across the Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabian leopard is among the world’s most critically endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as critically endangered due to mounting pressures, including urban and agricultural expansion, overgrazing, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.
Building on this historic bond, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is leading integrated conservation efforts to protect the Arabian leopard and restore its natural habitats through comprehensive scientific and field-based programs aimed at rebuilding ecological balance and ensuring the species’ survival. Central to these efforts is the Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre, currently the only active facility worldwide dedicated specifically to breeding Arabian leopards for conservation purposes.
The AlUla Wildlife Rehabilitation Project represents a major step toward reintroducing the Arabian leopard to its natural environment and revitalizing the region’s broader ecosystem. The project contributes to restoring vegetation cover, supporting natural prey populations, and establishing an integrated ecosystem that enables wildlife and human communities to coexist sustainably.
Observed annually on February 10, International Arabian Leopard Day highlights the urgent plight of this endangered species and underscores the importance of strengthening conservation efforts at both national and international levels. Through these initiatives, RCU reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the Arabian leopard as a symbol of regional biodiversity, within a comprehensive vision that extends beyond species protection to restoring ecosystems and fostering harmony between nature and people, ensuring that AlUla remains a living testament to the convergence of ancient heritage and modern environmental stewardship.
