Washington, D.C., May 15, 2025 — The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in Saudi Arabia announced a landmark agreement on May 10, 2025, to conserve the critically endangered Arabian leopard. The collaboration combines NZCBI’s conservation expertise with RCU’s breeding success to establish a backup population, advance research, and raise global awareness for a big cat facing extinction, with fewer than 120 left in the wild.
The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, survives in small, isolated groups in Oman and Yemen and is possibly extinct in the wild in Saudi Arabia. This partnership aims to secure the species’ future, a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage, through joint conservation, research, and public engagement initiatives.
RCU’s Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Center in Taif, Saudi Arabia, has more than doubled its leopard population since 2020, with seven cubs born in 2023 and five in 2024, including rare triplets. In early 2025, the center earned accreditation from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, the first Saudi wildlife institution to meet these standards. NZCBI, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, brings decades of experience in felid conservation, having led recovery programs for cheetahs, clouded leopards, tigers, and other endangered species like the black-footed ferret and giant panda.
The agreement focuses on shared research, capacity building, and professional exchanges to deepen understanding of the Arabian leopard. NZCBI and RCU are developing a joint conservation plan and exploring an Arabian leopard exhibit in Washington, D.C., to highlight the species’ plight and the desert ecosystems it inhabits. “We are honored to collaborate with the Royal Commission for AlUla to protect the critically endangered Arabian leopard,” said Brandie Smith, the 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.”
“This partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute highlights RCU’s growing leadership in global conservation and is a major step in our mission to protect the Arabian leopard,” said Abeer AlAkel, CEO at RCU. “Sharing these precious animals allows us to establish a vital backup population and bring the story of this magnificent species—a true symbol of Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage—to a wider international audience. It reflects our deep commitment, under Saudi Vision 2030, to restore ecological balance and ensure these animals thrive for generations, with the ultimate goal of returning them to their native habitat in AlUla.”
The initiative supports RCU’s regeneration of AlUla, a northwest Saudi Arabian region, through habitat restoration, reintroduction of prey species, and community engagement to create a sustainable ecosystem for leopards. The partnership aims to bolster ex situ and in situ conservation, ensuring the species’ survival and potential reintroduction to the wild.
The Arabian leopard’s population decline stems from habitat loss, prey scarcity, and human-wildlife conflict. With fewer than 120 animals in fragmented habitats, the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction. The breeding center’s success, with 12 cubs born in two years, offers hope, while NZCBI’s expertise in managing rare species strengthens the effort. The planned D.C. exhibit would be the only one in the United States, amplifying awareness of the leopard’s conservation needs.
RCU’s work aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing environmental sustainability and cultural heritage. The breeding center’s accreditation reflects its high standards in animal care and conservation. NZCBI’s track record includes pioneering genetic research and breeding protocols that have revived populations of other endangered species, expertise now applied to the Arabian leopard.
The collaboration will share knowledge through joint studies, potentially advancing veterinary care, genetic diversity, and reintroduction strategies. By engaging global audiences, the partnership seeks to inspire action to protect the Arabian leopard and its desert habitat, ensuring a future for this iconic big cat.
