Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arabia: ARABIAN LEOPARD DAY LIGHTS UP THE UK & US TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR SAVING A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES

Arabian Leopard Day 2023 is highlighted by international campaign in the UK and US to raise awareness of a species at risk of extinction

Billboard projection appeared overnight in London and New York to raise awareness of Arabian Leopard Day 2023

IUCN rates the Arabian Leopard as Critically Endangered in the wild,with fewer than 200 roaming free

A reason for hope: birth of four leopard cubs at a breeding centre in past 22 months

ALULA,Saudi Arabia,Feb. 10,2023 --The second annual Arabian Leopard Day on February 10 will feature a strong international component,highlighted by an international campaign to spread internationalawarenessof the species' plight inthe UK,US and SaudiArabia.

From today,London will see billboard projections on Piccadilly,High Street Kensington,Canary Wharf,Westfield London,Westfield Stratford City,Skyline - Westfield Stratford City,The Two Towers,Canary Wharf while New Yorkers will see NASDAQ – to mark Arabian Leopard Day.

The campaign is spearheaded by the RoyalCommission forAlUla(RCU),which is comprehensively regenerating a vast swathe of north-west Arabia as a leading global destination for cultural and natural heritage.

RCU and its conservation partners believe that by raising global awareness on Arabian Leopard Day,Feb 10,they can build support for actions to save the species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)rankstheArabian Leopard as Critically Endangered in thewild,a level ofriskmore severe than Vulnerable orEndangered. If thepopulation continues to decline,the next stages on the IUCNRedList of ThreatenedSpecies are Extinct in the Wild and,lastly,Extinct.

Dr Stephen Browne,Wildlife & Natural HeritageExecutiveDirector at RCU,said: "The Arabian Leopard isa formidable symbolof our aim to conserve andsafeguardAlUla'snatural environment.Unfortunately,thesad reality is that the Arabian Leopard isCriticallyEndangered with threats to its natural habitathighlighting thepressing need to step up conservationefforts that are so vital to thespecies' long-term survival. It isour ongoing commitment to markArabian Leopard Day andengage with activities to raise awarenessof,and help to protect,these magnificent big cats."

To prepare for the eventual return of ArabianLeopardstothe wild,RCU has released native species ofpreyanimalsinto vast naturereserves,increased efforts totrackandprotect wild leopards,andregeneratednaturalareasmanaged by teams of RCU-led andtrainedexpertswith thegoal of restoring a lostyetessentialbalancetoAlUla'sdelicate ecosystems. Thereturnof theArabian Leopardwill be the final piece of asensitiveandcomplicated puzzle.

And there have been successes along theway:RCU'sArabianLeopardBreedingProgrammehaswelcomed thebirths offourhealthy cubs since April 2021,amajormilestone and awelcomecontribution to the goalofboosting the population incaptivity. The namingofa cub born in 2022 asAmal – 'hope' inArabic –symbolisesthe rising hopes toprotect the futureofthespecies.For more information on the day,visit https://www.rcu.gov.sa/en/ArabianLeopard

Noted for editors:

It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula

About the Royal Commission for AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla,a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU's long-term plan outlines a responsible,sustainable,and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area's natural and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live,work,and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology,tourism,culture,education,and the arts,reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification,local community empowerment,and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme.

Arabian Leopards are seen at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif,Saudi Arabia. Four cubs have been born at the breeding centre within the past two years. Iain Stewart / RCU

Arabian Leopards are seen at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif,Saudi Arabia. Four cubs have been born at the breeding centre within the past two years. David Chancellor / RCU

Arabian Leopards are seen at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif,Saudi Arabia. Four cubs have been born at the breeding centre within the past two years. David Chancellor / RCU

Arabian Leopards are seen at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif,Saudi Arabia. Four cubs have been born at the breeding centre within the past two years. David Chancellor / RCU

Arabian Leopards are seen at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Breeding Centre in Taif,Saudi Arabia. Four cubs have been born at the breeding centre within the past two years. David Chancellor / RCU