AlUla's Eco-Tourism Boost: Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre

Discover AlUla's New Eco-Friendly Attraction

AlUla celebrates International Arabian Leopard Day 2025 by announcing the establishment of the first wildlife breeding centre in Sharaan National Park, underscoring its commitment to conservation and extensive regeneration initiatives.

All 30 Arabian leopards in Saudi Arabia under human care reside at the Royal Commission for AlUla’s Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif. Following the success of the centre, which welcomed a rare litter of triplet cubs last year, there is an increased demand for a facility in AlUla, an area renowned for its desert scenery and protected nature reserves that encompass over 50% of the region.

For the first time in decades, the critically endangered Arabian leopard will return to AlUla, where it once freely roamed. This new initiative strengthens global conservation efforts and reaffirms AlUla’s status as a premier eco-tourism destination, where premium guest experiences, rewilding, and sustainability intersect.

Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer of RCU, remarked: "Restoring the Arabian leopard to its native home in AlUla has been a core mission and promise - one that we are honored to fulfill with the forthcoming Wildlife Breeding Centre in AlUla. As we continue to welcome travelers and attract global tourists and eco-tourism enthusiasts, we are turning our vision into action, demonstrating that sustainable, light-touch tourism can effectively align with environmental renewal."

The initial stage of the new Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre in AlUla will be located in Sharaan National Park, with construction expected to begin within the coming months. This facility will be the world’s first to focus on rewilding and breeding. Alongside housing and breeding Arabian leopards, the Centre will also breed key prey species vital for reintroducing leopards into the wild.

Classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Arabian leopard is estimated to have only 120 individuals left in the wild, with none recorded in Saudi Arabia for over a decade.

Dr. Stephen Browne, Vice President for Wildlife & Natural Heritage at RCU, notes that the return of leopards to AlUla is a significant milestone: “We estimate that leopards arrived in Arabia around 500,000 years ago, and there are ancient rock inscriptions throughout AlUla portraying leopards in their natural habitat. Witnessing this flagship species return to AlUla, even if not yet in the wild, marks a remarkable achievement for this project and a substantial leap towards our most ambitious conservation goals.” 

Acknowledging the pressing need for action, February 10th will mark the 2025 International Arabian Leopard Day, launching the worldwide ‘Leaps of Hope’ campaign aimed at enhancing conservation awareness. A key aspect of this event will be the introduction of a long-term partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), highlighting AlUla’s dedication to wildlife conservation.

To date, RCU and the Arabian Leopard Fund have launched various initiatives aimed at restoring the species. These actions involve the United Nations passing a resolution to officially commemorate February 10th as an international day for Arabian Leopards in 2023, setting up a fund to support conservation projects, collaborating for ten years with Panthera, an organization committed to wild cat protection worldwide, and joining forces with Catmosphere, a foundation dedicated to the conservation of large felines.

AlUla’s dedication to wildlife conservation is essential for its evolution into a boutique heritage and eco-tourism destination. With impressive heritage sites, hospitality, and natural beauty, AlUla offers a distinctive travel experience. Visitors can discover breathtaking landscapes while participating in ongoing sustainability efforts.