AlUla conservation initiatives expand protected areas and focus on Arabian leopard
- Mar 3
- 1 min read
AlUla, March 3, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AlUla is expanding a long-term programme of environmental initiatives aimed at protecting wildlife and conserving biodiversity through work led by the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The update coincided with World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3. The day was designated by the United Nations in 2013 to mark the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES.
AlUla’s landscape includes volcanic mountains, lava fields, valleys and distinctive rock formations, alongside multiple habitats that support wildlife, the report noted, describing the area as one of the Kingdom’s richest zones for biodiversity and geological variety.
The commission is pursuing programmes to breed threatened species and prepare their reintroduction into natural habitats, rehabilitate damaged areas and expand protected zones to support ecosystem sustainability and restore ecological balance.
Five main nature reserves form the core of the protection framework: Wadi Nakhlah, Harrat Al Zaban, Harrat Uwayrid, Al Gharameel and Sharaan. The sites are hosting phased wildlife releases under scientific programmes aimed at strengthening biodiversity and sustaining wildlife populations.
The commission is also focusing on the Arabian leopard through programmes that include breeding and preparations for future release into its natural habitat as part of a long-term approach to conservation and ecological sustainability.
The initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets on protecting natural resources and advancing environmental sustainability.
