Sunday, February 11, 2024
Following the announcement by the United Nations of the inaugural International Day of the Arabian Leopard on February 10, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is broadening its efforts to protect the ‘Critically Endangered’ Arabian Leopard, extending from tangible conservation measures to digital initiatives.
With the introduction of the ‘Leap of Hope’ campaign, this year’s global call for action to preserve Arabian Leopards is enriched by the debut of the ‘Quest for Hope’ interactive game on the Roblox and Decentraland platforms. Inspired by the impressive agility and hunting skills of the Arabian Leopard, the ‘Leap of Hope’ campaign not only highlights the urgent necessity to bolster the wild populations of these leopards, referred to collectively as a ‘leap’, but also aims to raise awareness about their plight.
From today, the campaign will feature prominently on billboards in major cities such as Beijing, London, New York, and Paris, showcasing RCU’s ambitious vision and its commitment to the comprehensive revitalization of AlUla, a significant area in northwest Saudi Arabia, into a premier destination for heritage and nature enthusiasts.
In AlUla, the celebration of the International Day of the Arabian Leopard will see the organization of a Community Catwalk event by RCU and Catmosphere. This event invites the community to immerse in nature by trekking up to 7km on Sharaan’s Catwalk Trail, thereby drawing attention to the campaign’s objectives in northwest Arabia and further afield.
The digital realm offers the ‘Quest for Hope’ virtual adventure, inviting gamers worldwide to explore the significance of the Arabian Leopard’s ‘Critically Endangered’ status through a conservation mission within virtual replicas of the leopard’s natural habitats, including AlUla’s mountainous landscapes.
This innovative game complements a campaign film that delves into the critical situation of the Arabian Leopard, emphasizing the species’ crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting healthy ecosystems.
The RCU initiated Arabian Leopard Day in 2022, and in June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared February 10 as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard, supporting RCU and its conservation partners’ efforts.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Arabian Leopard as ‘Critically Endangered’, indicating a risk level more severe than those classified as Vulnerable or Endangered. Continued decline could lead to the species being classified as Extinct in the Wild or Extinct.
The RCU’s Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Programme has recently seen success in ensuring a sustainable captive population, with the birth of seven healthy cubs in 2023 and the introduction of new genetic founders to enhance the breeding program’s diversity and support long-term conservation objectives.
Dr. Stephen Browne, Vice President of Wildlife & Natural Heritage at RCU, emphasized the significance of International Arabian Leopard Day as a pivotal moment to focus global attention on the challenges facing the Arabian Leopard and RCU’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of AlUla.
“While recent successes give us hope, we recognise that the work of conservation must continue to ensure that this species can one day thrive in the wild. We encourage the international community to join us on Arabian Leopard Day by engaging with activities that strengthen our understanding and love for these magnificent Big Cats.”
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
