The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), a Saudi commission established to preserve the archaeological site of North-western province Al-Ula, has announced the success of the birth of two Arabian leopard cubs, Saudi Gazette reported.
The cubs, born in April, have passed 12 weeks of observation—indicating the success and commencement of Arabian Leopard Initiative, RCU’s breeding program to help preserve the critically endangered sub-cat species. The cubs, one male and one female, have now been successfully vaccinated by veterinarians.
The initial 12-week observation period was the most critical for the cubs, and the success was credited to the bond made with their 10-yeaar-old mother before they were visited and vaccinated. They will stay with the mother for the next 18 months.
The goal of the RCU is to reestablish the species back into the wild in Saudi’s northwestern region. This success, Saudi Gazette reported, aligns with RCU’s goal to protect the nature and wildlife in Al-Ula region.
“The (Arabic Leopard) is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world, and these cubs represent a new beacon of hope for the renewal of a subspecies on the brink of extinction. It is our duty to protect, conserve and build population numbers to preserve the species from becoming a footnote of history” Minister of Culture and RCU Governor Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Al-Saud told Saudi Gazette.
