<p>Information on the environmental and spatial overlap between humans and apex predators can assist in deriving informed repatriation and human-predator coexistence. We used species distribution models to assess the historical (400–499 CE) spatial and environmental niche and overlap between human and Arabian leopard in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt to better understand potential human-predator conflicts. Further, we assessed the association between the change in precipitation patterns and the change in suitable habitat of leopard and their main prey, Nubian ibex. There was high overlap between humans and leopards in their historical spatial and environmental niche, with roughly 80% of human suitable habitat occurring within the highest leopard habitat suitability. The higher probability of human settlement within 1&#xa0;km from waterholes likely created the pretext for human-leopard conflicts and hunting of ibex. Leopard habitat suitability was primarily driven by the suitable habitat of its prey, which was shaped by higher precipitation, less extreme temperatures, proximity to waterholes, and increased terrain roughness. The 20th century was the driest during the past 1500 years, which together with other climatic factors, contributed to ibex and leopard distribution shrinking by 20% and 35%, respectively. This climatic change could have further isolated a declining leopard population from the other populations in Arabia and possibly intensified competition with humans over water and prey. It is imperative to derive strategies to increase tolerance of resource overlap during climate change if apex predators are to persist, with the management of native prey and drinking water crucial to minimize human-wildlife conflicts in arid environments.</p>