RCU AND ARABIAN LEOPARD FUND ANNOUNCE MAJOR CONSERVATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE

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AlUla, KSA: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Arabian Leopard Fund (ALF) are spearheading a dynamic global effort to save the critically endangered Arabian leopard. Today’s announcement of a significant cooperative agreement between RCU and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will see two Arabian leopards travel to Washington, D.C., to protect biodiversity and enhance environmental sustainability.

This collaboration is a vital component of RCU’s broader strategy to expand its international ecosystem of conservation partners, facilitated by ALF as the primary vehicle for driving global cooperation and coordinating cross-border scientific action to ensure the survival of this unique species.

This collaboration between NZCBI and RCU exemplifies this approach, uniting NZCBI’s renowned scientific expertise with RCU’s successful Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Programme.

This agreement will establish a crucial backup population, drive forward critical research, and elevate global awareness for this iconic species, one of the world’s most threatened big cats. ALF also enables vital contributions from organisations like the IUCN, which provides essential species status assessments; Catmosphere, focused on raising awareness and support; and Panthera, offering specialised expertise in big cat conservation, among other important international partnerships.

The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. This international effort is a proactive and vital step towards securing a future for this magnificent animal, a powerful symbol of pride and natural heritage for Saudi Arabia.

RCU manages the cutting-edge Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Under RCU’s management since 2020, the leopard population at the centre has more than doubled—a testament to the success of dedicated care and breeding programmes. In early 2025, the centre achieved accreditation from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), becoming the first wildlife institution in Saudi Arabia to meet these rigorous international standards.

The key objectives of this specific conservation loan, facilitated by ALF under RCU’s guidance, include establishing a geographically separate backup population to mitigate risks to the species, and enhancing genetic diversity management within the global Arabian leopard population to ensure its long-term health.

Abeer AlAkel, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla, emphasized, “RCU is deeply committed to the conservation of the Arabian leopard, and the Arabian Leopard Fund is a vital instrument in achieving our goals. This cooperative agreement with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, exemplifies RCU’s strategy of bringing together leading institutions alongside the crucial support of organizations like the IUCN, Catmosphere, and Panthera. Sharing these precious animals allows us to establish a vital backup population and share the compelling story of this magnificent species – a true symbol of Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage – with a global audience.”

“We are honored to collaborate with the Royal Commission for AlUla to protect the critically endangered Arabian leopard,” said Brandie Smith, Ph.D., John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI. “Saving the world’s most vulnerable species takes global cooperation, scientific rigor and innovation—and that’s what we do best. For decades, we’ve delivered data-driven solutions and applied our deep expertise to protect species on the brink. Together, we’ll lead collaborative research, create the only Arabian leopard exhibit in the United States, and inspire millions to help secure a future for this magnificent animal and the ecosystem it depends on.”