Washington, D.C. is the site of the foundation stone laying for the Saudi Arabia: Arabian Leopard exhibit, a joint project between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI).
According to SPA, the ceremony was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, RCU CEO Abeer AlAkel, and NZCBI John and Adrienne Mars Director Dr. Brandie Smith.
The facility is scheduled to open in 2029 and will feature an AlUla-inspired habitat. It will house a breeding pair of Arabian leopards to support population recovery and educate visitors, as Dr. Smith stated that fewer than 120 Arabian leopards remain in the wild.
Abeer AlAkel announced a wildlife conservation professional exchange program to provide Saudi practitioners with hands-on training alongside international specialists. She noted that the Arabian leopard has inhabited AlUla for millennia and its conservation is integral to ecosystem restoration.
Princess Reema described the exhibition as an advancement in Saudi-US wildlife conservation cooperation. To commemorate the collaboration, the commission gave the Smithsonian a permanent replica of an ancient Arabian leopard rock carving made from AlUla stone. Lonnie G. Bunch III noted the partnership covers scientific research, cultural heritage, and wildlife preservation.
When will the Arabian Leopard exhibit open and what will it feature? The exhibit is scheduled to open in 2029 in Washington, D.C. It will feature a habitat inspired by AlUla that will house a breeding pair of Arabian leopards to help with population recovery and provide education to visitors about the rare felid.
What is the status of the Arabian leopard population according to the project leaders? Dr. Brandie Smith, the NZCBI John and Adrienne Mars Director, stated that there are fewer than 120 Arabian leopards remaining in the wild. Abeer AlAkel added that the species has inhabited AlUla for millennia and its conservation is part of broader ecosystem restoration.
What professional and cultural exchanges are part of the RCU and Smithsonian partnership? RCU CEO Abeer AlAkel announced a professional exchange program for Saudi practitioners to receive hands-on training with international specialists. Culturally, the commission presented the Smithsonian with a permanent replica of an ancient Arabian leopard rock carving sculpted from authentic AlUla stone.