AlUla is strengthening its reputation as a leading eco-tourism destination with the creation of the Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre in Sharaan National Park. This initiative, announced on International Day of the Arabian Leopard 2025, marks a significant step in conservation, aiming to bring the critically endangered Arabian leopard back to its native habitat.
A new conservation milestone for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and reintroduce the Arabian leopard. Until now, Saudi Arabia’s 30 captive Arabian leopards have been housed at the Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif, where breeding success—including the rare birth of triplet cubs—has highlighted the need for an expanded facility. With over 50% of AlUla designated as protected land, the region is ideally positioned to take on the next phase of this ambitious conservation project.
The new Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre will not only provide a secure environment for breeding but will also focus on developing a self-sustaining ecosystem to support future reintroductions. This includes breeding and restoring populations of key prey species, ensuring the leopards can thrive once reintroduced into the wild.
Eco-tourism and conservation go hand in hand
The development of the Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre reflects AlUla’s approach to sustainable tourism, where conservation and visitor experiences complement one another. The initiative underscores AlUla’s vision of creating a high-end, eco-conscious tourism hub, offering travellers unique insights into the region’s biodiversity and regeneration efforts.
“The return of the Arabian leopard to AlUla has always been a central objective,” explains Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer of RCU. “With the creation of this world-class facility, we are demonstrating that responsible tourism can actively support conservation. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from these efforts, reinforcing the link between sustainability and travel.”
A collaborative approach to species protection
Classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Arabian leopard has not been seen in the wild in Saudi Arabia for over a decade, with fewer than 120 individuals remaining globally. The launch of the Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre brings renewed hope for the species, placing AlUla at the centre of international conservation efforts.
As part of International Arabian Leopard Day 2025, RCU has launched the “Leap of Hope” campaign, a global initiative designed to raise awareness and funding for big cat conservation. A key element of this campaign is a long-term partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), further strengthening AlUla’s conservation credentials.
RCU’s wider conservation strategy includes:
- The official UN designation of February 10 as International Arabian Leopard Day.
- The creation of the Arabian Leopard Fund to support species recovery.
- A 10-year agreement with Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organisation.
- Collaboration with Catmosphere, an advocacy group focused on big cat protection.
A model for sustainable tourism
AlUla is rapidly evolving into a benchmark for sustainable tourism, blending heritage, nature, and hospitality. Visitors to the region will be able to experience its UNESCO-listed sites, dramatic desert landscapes, and luxury accommodations, all while witnessing active conservation efforts that are shaping the future of eco-tourism.
The Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre is set to become a key pillar of AlUla’s identity, reinforcing its role as a destination where wildlife conservation and tourism work together to protect the past and shape the future.
Photo to of page: Arabian leopard triplets. Image Courtesy: Frederic Uhel
Read also: Arabian leopard takes a leap of hope
