On September 15, 2026, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute held a groundbreaking ceremony at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The event marked the start of construction for the United States’ inaugural Arabian leopard exhibit. Approximately 120 participants gathered for the ceremony, which featured the ceremonial breaking of ground.
The new exhibit is planned as a public display and a hub for a dedicated conservation program aimed at the endangered Arabian leopard. By creating a space where visitors can observe the species, the zoo intends to raise awareness and generate support for conservation actions that target the leopard’s declining populations in the wild.
According to the zoo, the exhibit will be the only venue outside the Arabian Peninsula where the public can see Arabian leopards. This unique status positions the National Zoo as a focal point for education about the species and its habitat, offering a rare opportunity for American audiences to learn about a predator that faces severe threats in its native range.
The groundbreaking ceremony signals the first step in a multi‑year effort to build the exhibit and launch the associated conservation program. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will oversee the project, integrating research, breeding, and public outreach components. Completion of the exhibit is expected to expand the zoo’s conservation portfolio and provide a tangible link between visitors and the global effort to preserve the Arabian leopard.