Your Guide to AlUla Arabian Leopard Week 2023

The first edition of the annual AlUla Arabian Leopard Week is taking place between February 10^th and 12^th, 2023, as part of The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) commitment to raising awareness about the endangered cat.

The event will focus on showcasing the splendor of the critically endangered Arabian Leopard through digital and physical activations, featuring historical facts and artistic expressions named ‘The Arabian Leopard Digital Exhibition’ and ‘The Arabian Leopard Celebration Trail’.

The Arabian Leopard Digital Exhibition

This activation will take place on February 10^th and February 11^th, 2023, in Ashar Valley. The exhibition is an expression of AlUla’s cultural identity and commitment to becoming a home for the Arabian Leopard while raising awareness about the world’s smallest big cat and its plight. The integrative and experiential art exhibit is divided into four chapters: Grace, Beauty, Power, and Elegance, and will include projections, holograms, augmented reality, and music, all inspired by this magnificent creature.

The Arabian Leopard Celebration Trail

Located in Sharaan nature reserve, this 7km Arabian Leopard Celebration Trail has been carefully selected to become one of many ‘Catwalk Trails’ launching around the world. The trail covers a wide range of landscapes and guided tour with a private ranger will take the visitors through the sandy dunes, hidden ravines, and rock formations distinct to AlUla. The Sharaan Natural Reserve, which has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife, is the targeted area to reintroduce the Arabian Leopards into the wild. The activation will take place on February 11^th and 12^th, 2023.

AlUla Conservation of the Arabian Leopard

The Arabian Leopard has been classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that fewer than 200 Arabian Leopards are left in the wild. 

RCU’s efforts in the conservation of the Arabian Leopard and raising awareness about the creature is in line with the commitment to make AlUla a world heritage destination centered around conservation and collaboration reflecting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The efforts initiated by RCU led to the creation of the Arabian Leopard Programme and the Arabian Leopard Fund. RCU also created a Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia that welcomed a new Arabian Leopard cub, born on April 23, 2021. Among the other initiatives to raise awareness and commemorate the majestic species the Saudi Arabian Council of Ministers officially declared February 10th as Arabian Leopard Day in 2022.  

Facts About the Arabian Leopard

• The Arabian Leopard appeared in Africa and journeyed to Arabia almost 500,000 years ago.
• The territory of the Arabian Leopard once spanned ranged from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Gulf – from Mount Sinai and the Negev Desert in the north, to the Haraz, Dhofar and Al Hajar Mountains in the south.
• The Arabian Leopard has been discovered in cave art in Shuwaymis, south-east of AlUla in the north-western region of Saudi Arabia.
• It is characterized with a slender build, an elongated body, short but powerful legs and very long tail and a coat filled with black rosettes for camouflage.
• The Arabian Leopard is the smallest member of the leopard family, with a maximum weight of 30kg.
• Arabian Leopards have a life span of 14-19 years in the wild.