![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP4VQBNN7VHQRLZTNV7USKWLKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=31e96639dd3349043c38d3bcfa9558baa527b1992c7a9bf688c973d087d6e279&width=400&height=225)
Each February, Middle East landmarks light up for Arabian Leopard Day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVP57OYL3JCEJFCHV6YMBA7AWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d436f7ab589e0c1e19cea23a6d532b23b685f2d98a82d84999d4fce7a70266b&width=400&height=225)
An Arabian leopard at a breeding centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Aline Coquelle
A programme aims to introduce more of the endangered species into the north-west of the kingdom. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWBC7UASEEWXWMLMHR34NTMYCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=72050da5f8ea254ab5ea5c9b247ceec8cafdd3c6ceb421bf6eadc36f4ebbd0dd&width=400&height=225)
Two cubs born at the centre this year. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNG2I56CAVHO3DH234HFWTWAHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4767d93bc8796771cdc764c123ed9e5d99ed8f0f9cc6d3d8ebe7949273dfde74&width=400&height=225)
The birth of two females followed the arrival of another cub at the centre a year earlier. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBXNOYKRGHCDRLR66ATZNDSFQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2bae25a1c4cd4d917b5045720ebafd29fd762159d14826256390bb7153f22383&width=400&height=225)
The cubs' birth is a major boost. It is estimated that there are fewer than 200 Arabian leopards left in the wild between Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NY7HO6XIQNB7ZM77SJNIQHTSOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffd0b254b6bc0b14bc11e7157024f648a730291a410df309e4c54498c9eaa1c4&width=400&height=225)
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has assessed the animal as critically endangered since 2008. Photo: Aline Coquelle
Leopards are sought after by trophy hunters and bushmeat poachers. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5A4XLT54DWPTGOX4ATIRZYP2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=74a967e75a438cb6a46d71cfb2f0600c48e2d7733c4ed366ebe5ce817b006828&width=400&height=225)
This five-month old cub is one of 16 leopards at the centre in AlUla.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP4VQBNN7VHQRLZTNV7USKWLKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=31e96639dd3349043c38d3bcfa9558baa527b1992c7a9bf688c973d087d6e279&width=400&height=225)
Each February, Middle East landmarks light up for Arabian Leopard Day
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVP57OYL3JCEJFCHV6YMBA7AWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d436f7ab589e0c1e19cea23a6d532b23b685f2d98a82d84999d4fce7a70266b&width=400&height=225)
An Arabian leopard at a breeding centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Aline Coquelle
A programme aims to introduce more of the endangered species into the north-west of the kingdom. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWBC7UASEEWXWMLMHR34NTMYCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=72050da5f8ea254ab5ea5c9b247ceec8cafdd3c6ceb421bf6eadc36f4ebbd0dd&width=400&height=225)
Two cubs born at the centre this year. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNG2I56CAVHO3DH234HFWTWAHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4767d93bc8796771cdc764c123ed9e5d99ed8f0f9cc6d3d8ebe7949273dfde74&width=400&height=225)
The birth of two females followed the arrival of another cub at the centre a year earlier. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBXNOYKRGHCDRLR66ATZNDSFQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2bae25a1c4cd4d917b5045720ebafd29fd762159d14826256390bb7153f22383&width=400&height=225)
The cubs' birth is a major boost. It is estimated that there are fewer than 200 Arabian leopards left in the wild between Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NY7HO6XIQNB7ZM77SJNIQHTSOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffd0b254b6bc0b14bc11e7157024f648a730291a410df309e4c54498c9eaa1c4&width=400&height=225)
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has assessed the animal as critically endangered since 2008. Photo: Aline Coquelle
Leopards are sought after by trophy hunters and bushmeat poachers. Photo: Aline Coquelle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5A4XLT54DWPTGOX4ATIRZYP2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=74a967e75a438cb6a46d71cfb2f0600c48e2d7733c4ed366ebe5ce817b006828&width=400&height=225)
This five-month old cub is one of 16 leopards at the centre in AlUla.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP4VQBNN7VHQRLZTNV7USKWLKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=31e96639dd3349043c38d3bcfa9558baa527b1992c7a9bf688c973d087d6e279&width=400&height=225)
Each February, Middle East landmarks light up for Arabian Leopard Day
Saudi Arabia wants leopards to roam free once again
Captive-breeding programmes and habitat restoration efforts mean prospects for this once-widespread predator are fast improving
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
13 November, 2022
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