Date: Tuesday, 10th February 2026; 3rd Annual Day.
Sponsors: United Nations Environment Programme,
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations
Objectives:
- To increase global awareness of the critically endangered status of the Arabian leopard.
- To highlight the urgent need to restore the Arabian leopard as a flagship species for nature conservation and sustainability across the Arabian Peninsula.
- To emphasize the intrinsic value of wildlife, as a key component of biodiversity, in supporting healthy and resilient ecosystems and advancing sustainable development and human well-being.
Inception:
The International Day of the Arabian Leopard was first celebrated at United Nations Headquarters in New York on February 10, 2024.
History:
On June 12, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly designated February 10 as International Day of the Arabian Leopard through resolution A/RES/77/295.
This resolution highlights the crucial role the Arabian leopard plays in the region’s ecosystem. It also encourages increased cooperative initiatives from countries within the Arabian leopard’s range, as well as relevant organizations, communities, and UN agencies, to protect it and other endangered species.
Background:
The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is one of nine subspecies of leopards recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Since 2016, it has been listed as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List, with estimates indicating that fewer than 200 remain in the wild.
Native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian leopard is among the smallest leopard subspecies; males typically weigh between 30-40 kg, while females range from 25-35 kg. Its coat is pale and buff-colored, marked by small, closely spaced rosettes.
Major threats to the Arabian leopard’s survival include habitat loss and fragmentation, depletion of prey, and illegal trafficking. The rapid decline of this species poses a significant challenge to biodiversity and sustainability in its natural habitat, highlighting the urgent need to address the global nature crisis impacting ecosystems.
Official website:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/arabian-leopard-day
