www.saudigreenintiative.org
Rewilding
Explore the four steps that are needed to bring these amazing animals back to Saudi Arabia.
01
Habitats that once supported the Arabian leopard and its prey have degraded over time due to factors such as urbanisation, overgrazing and desertification. These will need to be rehabilitated, and that includes introducing a perimeter fence to protect the area from domesticated animals, such as camels, to allow it
to recover.
Rehabilitating a habitat
02
03
Over time, several native plant species will grow back, including a low-growing desert shrub known as remith, a larger desert shrub called ratm, and an aromatic herb, Pulicaria incisa, which is widely used as a traditional medicine. Acacia trees are also being planted as part of the habitat rehabilitation.
Allowing plants to recover
Native species are gradually being introduced into the protected area as part of the recovery process. These include idmi and rheem gazelles, Nubian ibex, Arabian oryx and red-necked ostriches. Some will eventually become prey to the Arabian leopard but some are part of the wider rehabilitation of the habitat.
Introducing grazing animals
04
Back to the wild
Once the habitat has sufficiently recovered, the Arabian leopards can be reintroduced into the wild, but a lot of work has to be done before that happens. A stock of the big cats are currently being readied in a captive breeding programme in Saudi Arabia and right now there are 16 animals in
its care.
Tap to find out more
AlUla
How the desert landscape is being brought back to life
How the desert landscape is being brought back to life
"The situation in
Saudi Arabia is changing and now we are starting to notice that environmental violations and rates
of hunting and persecution of wildlife are decreasing."
Ahmed Almalki, RCU nature reserves director
How the desert landscape is being brought back to life
Rewilding
AlUla