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Status Report For The Arabian Leopard in The Sultanate of Oman
Status Report For The Arabian Leopard in The Sultanate of Oman
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CAT NEWS
Special Issue No 1 2006
IUCN
SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION
ISSN 1027-2992 Cover photo: Arabian Leopard at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian
Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE. Photo: Jane-Ashley Edmonds and Kevin Budd.
2006
Foreword
The rapid disappearance of the Arabian Leopard, along with so much of its main prey, from large areas of their former
range in the Arabian Peninsula represents a major setback for conservation of biodiversity in the region.
Full details of former status and abundance are lacking, but it can be supposed that distribution once extended over all
the mountainous parts of the Arabian Peninsula. As the reports from each range state included here indicate, the current
situation is critical. In the worst case, only three populations widely scattered across the Peninsula now survive. The actual
situation may be slightly more favourable, with other remnant populations surviving in remote areas, but these must be
small and fragmented and their long-term viability uncertain.
The Arabian leopard formed a major item on the agenda of the first Conservation Workshop for the Fauna of Arabia held
at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah in 2000 and it has continued to feature regularly at the
annual meetings held since then.
Over the last few years, it has been very encouraging to witness the development of a successful captive breeding pro-
gramme based here in Sharjah and with the cooperation of other facilities from around the region. The offspring produced
by the programme serve as a safeguard against the total extinction of the Arabian leopard and potentially provide stock for
releases at some point in the future.
The challenge facing all of us now is to translate this success to the leopard population in the wild. Compilation of this
report is an important initial step in this process by bringing together all that is currently known and highlighting the many
important gaps in knowledge that remain to be filled.
The task now is to formulate and, crucially, to enact, measures that will enable first the survival, and then the recovery
of the Arabian leopard. The projected range-wide Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the Arabian leopard will
achieve the first part of this task. It will then become the responsibility of governments to ensure that resources are applied
to realise the recommended actions so that the nimr can reclaim its place as the top predator through the mountains of the
Arabian Peninsula.
Abdulaziz A. al Midfa
Director General
Environment and Protected Areas Authority
Historically it was considered that there were four subspecies of leopards in the Arabian region. Today P. p.
jarvisi no longer occurs and the ranges of P. p. tulliana and P. p. saxicolor have severely contracted north.
Only P. p. nimr, the Arabian leopard, remains. Morphological data suggests nimr to be the smallest of the
leopards and a distinct subspecies but this has yet to be conclusively confirmed by genetic evidence. Recent
records give a bleak picture of the status of P. p. nimr. A few individuals survive in the Judean Desert and
Negev Highlands while in the Arabian Peninsula leopards are known from just one location in the Repu-
blic of Yemen and one in the Sultanate of Oman. In Yemen the leopards of the Al Wada’a area are under
great pressure from killing and from capture for trade. In Oman the situation is much more hopeful and the
leopards of the Dhofar Mountains have benefited from comprehensive conservation measures. While the
possibility, however remote, of the existence of other relict populations cannot be ruled out the need for
urgent conservation action across the region is obvious given the reality that the Arabian leopard may soon
be reduced to two, or even just one population in the wild.
κΨϠϣ
ϑϭήψϟ ΕΩϭ ˬΎϫΪΣ ϰϔΘΧ ΪϘϓ ϡϮϴϟ Ύϣ .ΔϴΑήόϟ ΔϘτϨϤϟ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϟ Ϧϣ ωϮϧ ΔѧόΑέ ΖѧηΎϋ ϲѧοΎϤϟ ϲѧϓ
ήϴθΗϭ .αϭΩέΎΑ ήΜϧΎΑ ϢγΎΑ ΎϴϨϴΗϻ Ύ˱˱ϴϨϴΗϻ ϑϭήѧόϤϟ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ϲѧϘΑ ϦϴѧΣ ϲѧϓ ϝΎϤθѧϟ ϩΎѧΠΗΎΑ ϦϴѧϋϮϧ Ρϭΰѧϧ ϰѧϟ·
Ύ˱ϴϟΎΣ ϱήΠϳϭ ˬΎϫΰϴϣϭ έϮϤϨϟ ήϐλ Ϯϫ ήϤϨϟ ϥ ϰϟ· ϱϮϴѧϨΒϟ ϞϜθѧϟ ϝϮѧΣ ΓήѧϓϮΘϤϟ ΕΎϣϮѧϠόϤϟ
Ϧϣ ΖΒΜΘϟ ΎϴϟΎΣ
.ϲϨϴΠϟ κΤϔϟ ήΒϋ ήϣϷ άϫ
ϪΒѧѧη ΔϘτϨѧѧϣ ϲѧѧϓ ϲѧѧΑήόϟ ήѧѧϤϨϟ ϊѧѧοϭ ϝϮѧѧΣ ΔΤѧѧοϭ ΓέϮѧѧλ ΓήѧѧϴΧϷ Δѧѧϧϭϵ ϲѧѧϓ ΓέϮθѧѧϨϤϟ ΕϼΠδѧѧϟ ΖϣΪѧѧϗ
ϲѧѧϓϭ ˬϝΎϤθѧѧϟ ϰѧѧϟ· ΔόϗϮѧѧϟ ϒΠϨѧѧϟ ˯ήΤѧѧλ ϲѧѧϓ έϮϤϨѧѧϟ Ϧѧѧϣ ήϴϐѧѧλ ΩΪѧѧόΗ ΩϮѧѧΟϭ πѧѧΗ ΚϴѧѧΣ ΔϴΑήѧѧόϟ ΓήѧѧϳΰΠϟ
ΔϘτϨϣ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϟ ζϴѧόΗ ϦϤϴѧϟ ϲѧϔϓ .ϥΎѧϤϋ
ϥΎѧϤ˵ϋ ΔϨτϠѧγϭ ΔϴѧϨϤϴϟ ΔϳέϮѧϬϤΠϟ Ϧѧϣ Ϟѧϛ ϲѧϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ έϮϤϨѧϟ ΪΟϮѧΗ ΏϮϨѧΠϟ
Ύϗήη·
Ύ˱ϗήη· ήΜϛ ϊοϮϟ ϭΪΒϴϓ ϥΎϤϋ
ϥΎϤ˵ϋ ΔϨτϠγ ϲϓ Ύϣ .ΓήΟΎΘϤϠϟ ΎϬΑ ϙΎδѧϣϹϭ ϞΘѧϘϟΎϛ ΔϴѧϘϴϘΣ ΕΪѧϳΪϬΗ ΎϬѧοήόΘΗϭ ΔϋΩϮѧϟ
.ΔϠϣΎθϟ ϥϮμϟ ήϴΑΪΗ Ϧϣ έΎϔχ ϝΎΒΟ ϦσϮΘδΗ ϲΘϟ έϮϤϨϟ ΕΩΎϔΘγ ΚϴΣ
ϦѧѧϜϤϳ ϻ ήѧϣϷ άѧϫ ϥ ϻ· ΔϘτϨѧѧϤϟ ϲѧϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ έϮϤϨѧѧϟ Ϧѧϣ ϯήѧΧ ΓΪϴѧѧΟ ΕΩΪѧόΗ ΩϮѧΟϭ ΔϴѧѧϧΎϜϣ· Δϟѧο Ϧѧϣ ϢϏήѧϟΎΑ
ϰϟ· Ύϧήψϧ Ύϣ Ϋ· ΎλϮμΧϭ
Ύ˱λϮμΧϭ έΩΎϨϟ ωϮϨϟ άϫ ϰϠϋ υΎϔΤϠϟ ΔϠΟΎϋ Ε˯ήΟ· ΫΎΨΗϻ ΔΟΎΤϟ ίήѧΒΗ ΎϨѧϫ Ϧѧϣϭ .ϩΩΎόΒΘѧγ
.ΪΣϭ ϰΘΣ ϭ ϦϴϨΛ ϰϟ· ΎΒϳήϗ κϗΎϨΘΗ Ϊϗ ϱέήΒϟ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήόϟ έϮϤϨϟ ΕΩΪόΗ ϥ ΔϘϴϘΣ
Introduction
The leopard Panthera pardus once oc- Hemprich & Ehrenberg (1833) first to shed light on the historical distributi-
curred throughout much of Arabia (Har- described Felis nimr, based on an Abys- on and current occurrence of Panthera
rison & Bates 1991). However, over the sinian skin and partly on an Arabian pardus in the region and attempt to cla-
past 100 years it has become increasin- one. By the middle of the 20th century it rify the “subspecies” issue.
gly threatened as a result of the deple- was generally considered that there was
tion of its prey base, killing by hunters evidence for four subspecies in Arabia; Distribution
and shepherds and vulnerability of ever P. p. jarvisi in Sinai to the west, P. p. Panthera pardus jarvisi
decreasing population size. The leopard saxicolor in Iraq to the north, P. p. tul- Pocock (in Harrison 1968) in 1932 de-
is globally red listed as Least Concern, liana from Syria south to the Dead Sea scribed P. p. jarvisi from Sinai although
but P. p. nimr is classified as Critically in the Levant with P. p. nimr extending the exact locality and origin of the spec-
Endangered (IUCN 2004) and is listed over most of the region from the Jordan imen is not known. Harrison (1968)
on Appendix I of the Convention on valley south and east to Oman and Ye- considered that the range of P. p. jarvisi
International Trade in Endangered Spe- men (Harrison 1968). In this paper we extended south through the Hejaz of
cies (CITES). use published work and some new data Saudi Arabia but later Harrison & Bates
2006
(1991) described P. p. jarvisi as occur- to Lebanon where it is believed that the Biquand (1990) reported on a survey
ring only in Sinai and ‘is probably little last specimen, an old male, was killed of the Asir concluding that they were
more than the local variant of nimr’. in 1965 (Mendelssohn 1990). Harrison probably present although they made no
Osborn & Helmy (1980) report a & Bates (1991) cite reports that this sightings. In a subsequent paper Nader
single specimen examined from Sinai subspecies is clearly flourishing further (1996) reported a small population still
but of unknown locality and list numer- south in the Judean Hills (Ilani 1988) in the Hijaz and one also in the Asir, al-
ous published records and reports for the and that it occurs in the West Bank (Il- though no evidence was presented. Judas
peninsula from 1872 to the early 1950s. ani 1986) although Ilani (1990) believes et al. (2006) report just four confirmed
Substantiated reports from recent years the subspecies of the Judean Desert to records since 1999 although three were
are lacking. In 1995, Saleh et al. (1995) be P. p. nimr. based on evidence of tracks and live-
who surveyed Ras Mohammed, Nabaq stock killing and only in the fourth case,
and Abu Gallum protected areas, report- Panthera pardus saxicolor near the Yemen border, were remains of
ed tracks in Wadi El Omiyed and also The type locality for this subspecies two leopards photographed in 1999. A
reported that in May 1995 an adult leop- is Asterabad in southern Iran where it recent paper by Al-Johany (2007) based
ard was caught in a leg-hold trap near was described in 1927. Its range is con- on a survey from 1998 to 2001 conclud-
the western boundary of Abu Gallum. sidered to extend east to Afghanistan ed that the number of leopards in Saudi
In 1997 Prof. Ibrahim Helmy sighted and Turkmenistan (Nowell & Jack- Arabia was greater than widely believed
a leopard near Abu Durba. In Decem- son 1996) and west to Turkey (Borner and included 65 sightings by local in-
ber 1997 there was a report of a leopard 1977). There is little evidence of this formants. However, none of the records
being sighted in Wadi Eltala and later subspecies in the Arabian Peninsula re- or sightings was substantiated by photo-
the same month in Wadi Elgars, being gion, the most southern records coming graphic or other evidence and since that
a branch of Wadi Eltala (Ibrahim 1998). from a low lying area at Rawa on the time field surveys and camera trapping
A camera-trapping programme and Euphrates and yet further south on the programs have failed to confirm the
survey started in 1999 (Spalton 1999) floodplain of the Tigris at Kut al Imara continuing presence of leopards.
has found no evidence of leopards in in Iraq (Harrison 1968). A number of leopards were captured
St. Katherine Protectorate or elsewhere in the wild between 1997 and 2003 and
in Sinai (Hussam El Alqamy, personal Panthera pardus nimr subsequently acquired by the National
communication February 2006). As Harrison (1968) accounts, Hemrich Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC), Taif
Nowell & Jackson (1996) recorded and Ehrenberg’s (1833) Felis nimr was and other private collections. However,
P. p. jarvisi as being in Sinai and extend- based principally on an Arabian skin Judas et al. (2006) suggest that all, with
ing east to the Judean desert. However, from the ‘mountains in the vicinity of the possible exception of a young male
Ilani (1990) who radio-tracked leopards Qunfida, Asir, Saudi Arabia’ and Pocock in 1997, were captured in Yemen.
in the late 1970s and early 1980s report- (1932), nearly 100 years later, proposed In conclusion, irrefutable evidence
ed that the leopards of the Judean desert that this form might occur on both sides that leopards still occur in the Kingdom
and Negev Highlands were neither P. p. of the Red Sea. However, Harrison, is lacking. The last substantiated record
jarvisi or P. p. tulliana but resembled who had access to additional informa- appears to have been the two animals
closest P. p. nimr. Shoemaker (1997) tion, did not agree and considered the S. found dead in 1999 near the Yemen bor-
states that surveys conducted in Decem- Arabian leopard, Panthera pardus nimr, der.
ber 1992 produced a maximum esti- as distinct and that any extension across
mate of 8-10 leopards. Recent estimates the Red Sea was doubtful. Republic of Yemen
based on molecular scatology are of a Sanborn & Hoogstraal (1953) reported
minimum of a male and two females in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the species was scarce but wide-
the Judean Desert and four males and Harrison (1968) reported specimens spread while Harrison (1968) reports
one female in the Negev Highlands (Pe- only from the Asir mountains (where the on several specimens of leopard from
rez et al. 2006). type specimen was obtained) that run the mountains around Aden and Bei-
southeast towards Yemen. He consid- han. Obadi (1993) reports the killing of
Panthera pardus tulliana ered specimens from the Hajaz (to the leopard during the late 1970s and early
There are numerous reports of this sub- north-west) to be P. p. jarvisi. However, 1980s in the area of Lodar northeast of
species in Syria, Palestine and Jordan later Harrison & Bates (1991) referred Aden.
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to just one subspecies, P. p. nimr, for the Al Jumaily et al. (2006) provide de-
(Harrison 1968). In Jordan records come leopards of the Hajaz and the Asir. tails of post-1990 records for five broad
from north of Aqaba, south of Petra and In 1982 a live-leopard was seen in clusters from areas in the north close
Wadi Zarqa Ma’en (Hardy 1947) and the Wadi Hiswa in the Asir (Gasperetti et to the Saudi border to the south in the
most recent report was in 1987 (Qumsi- al. 1985), while Nader (1989) reported Mahra Governorate and close to the
yeh et al. 1993). In Nowell & Jackson on killings of leopards and the collec- Oman border. However, most capture
(1996) P. p. tulliana is considered as the tion of leopard remains in the 1970s records are from the area of Al Wada’a
Anatolian leopard and only occurring in and 1980s and concluded that if they about 120 km north of the capital where
western Turkey. Harrison (1968) reports remain in the Kingdom they would be Lagrot & Lagrot (1999) also reported
this subspecies in the Galilee area close in the Asir mountains. One year later signs of leopard as well as captures. A
2006
Table 1. Specimens of Panthera pardus from the region
Location Year Subspecies Alive/ Sex Weight (kg) Overall length Length of Reference
dead (mm) tail (mm)
Judean desert 1979 nimr Alive M 29.5 1990 820 Ilani 1980
Judean desert 1979 nimr Alive F 23.5 1920 790 Ilani 1980
Judean desert 1979 nimr Alive F 22.0 1684 754 Ilani 1980
* sub-adult; # tail damaged; OACE: Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Oman
Oman) and southern Arabia. These areas this difference was significant for saxi- region. However, for the other subspe-
are both mountainous but are separated color and nimr (P = 0.004, df = 17). cies genetic studies have not come close
by open desert and gravel plains where Body length of nimr did not vary sig- to resolving the subspecies debate. The
the movement of animals between the nificantly between those of the Judean proposal by Miththapala (1996) to lump
populations may not have occurred or at desert, Saudi Arabia and Oman. the other species of the region has little
best been very rare. The study used both scientific base since it did not include
mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA Discussion any material from populations of P. p.
techniques but found no evidence to It seems that once three subspecies of nimr, P. p. jarvisi or P. p. tulliana. Simi-
support species differentiation between leopard occurred in the region. P. p nimr larly Uphyrkina et al’s (2001) tentative
northern and southern leopards. How- is the principal leopard of the region and suggestion of nimr as a subspecies has
ever, sample sizes of northern leopards of the Arabian Peninsula in particular. little credibility as it was based on a sin-
were small (mitochondrial DNA n=3, P. p. saxicolor is a species of central gle sample.
nuclear DNA n=2). Other studies car- Asia whose range extended south to Further genetic studies may help
ried out by the King Khaled Wildlife southern Iraq and Jordan. P. p. tulliana resolve subspecies issues. However,
Research Center, Saudi Arabia have occurred from Turkey through Syria to while we await such studies we should
been inconclusive (Judas et al. 2006) Lebanon. P. p. jarvisi probably never consider the likely reality that P. p. nimr
and a study in Oman has just com- occurred but was actually P. p. nimr. is the only surviving subspecies in the
menced (Al Ansari et al. 2005). Today P. p. saxicolor and P. p. tulliana region and that it does not occur else-
Morphological data is generally seem no longer to occur in the region as where. In the Negev Highlands and Ju-
lacking but based on measurements for their ranges have contracted north. dean Desert numbers are very small and
overall length and some weight data Genetic studies seem to have estab- in the Arabian Peninsula it is restricted
and including specimens from Iran (Ta- lished that P. p. saxicolor is distinct to Yemen and Oman. In Yemen leopards
ble 1), P. p. saxicolor seems to be larger from other subspecies. This is sup- face severe persecution in the wild and
and heavier than the other three subspe- ported by morphological data that sug- in the last 10 years many have entered
cies. While sample sizes for jarvisi (n gests this principally Asian subspecies captive collections in the country and
= 1) and tulliana (n = 1) are very small is larger than other subspecies from the elsewhere in the region. However, there
2006
The Leopard in Jordan
Leopards have been reported from several localities in Jordan. The last confirmed report dates from 1987.
There have been occasional unconfirmed reports since. Recent field surveys have failed to find signs of
leopard presence.
ϡΎѧϋ ϚѧϟΫ ϥ΄ѧη ϲѧϓ ήѧϳήϘΗ ήѧΧ ΩΪϋ· ϢΗϭ ˬϥΩέϷ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΓΪϫΎθϣ ϰϟ·ήϴθΗ ϲΘϟ ήϳέΎϘΘϟ Ϧϣ ΪϳΪόϟ ϙΎϨϫ
.ϥΩέϷ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΩϮΟϭ ΪϛΆΗ ΕήηΆϣ Δϳ ΩΎΠϳ· ϲϓ ήΧΆϣ ϪΑ ϡΎϴϘϟ ϢΗ ϲϧΪϴϣ δϣ ήΧ Ϟθϓ Ϊϗϭ ˬ1987
Distribution
Leopards were reported as more com-
mon than the cheetah by Tristram
(1866, 1888) in many areas of Jordan
Syria
and Palestine. Ernst Schmitz recorded
five leopards shot near Jerusalem in the
first decade of the 20th century (Hardy
1947). Aharoni (1930) reported a leop-
ard killed between Ramallah and Em-
maus. Another animal was killed on
the Palestinian-Lebanese frontier and Amman
Legal Status
Leopards are protected by law. Ibex
and all gazelle species are also strictly
protected.
10 2006
Status of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia
The historic range of the Arabian Leopard presumably extended over a large part of Saudi Arabia. Analysis
of the scarce historic and recent records suggests that the range has decreased by 90 % since the beginning
of the 19th century, with an annual rate of range loss close to 10 % in the last 15 years. During the period
1998-2003, 19 reports were recorded, of which only 4 can be confirmed, distributed in 2 main areas. 1) the
escarpment of the Asir Mountains between Al Baha and Abbah (600-2400 m), where high prey density may
still be found near permanent water flows, and 2) the drier Hijaz Mountains north of Madinah (< 2000 m),
where potential prey density is low. Considering home range sizes and densities calculated for other leopard
populations in different ecological contexts, the potential population was estimated at 60-425 individuals
in a range of 4000-19,635 km2. Population viability analysis projected a mean time for first extinction of
11.3 years from 1998. The decline is mainly attributed to habitat fragmentation and degradation and direct
persecution. The increase in over-grazing, and encroachment into once remote areas by road construction
since the 1970s have induced important biodiversity loss affecting the whole food chain. Prey availability
has decreased throughout leopard range, which has presumably led the leopard to alter its diet towards live-
stock and other domestic animals. This increases the unpopularity of the species, and persecution by local
people. The leopard is officially protected in Saudi Arabia; however, despite the high proportion of land
protection (4.1 % of the country), there is an obvious lack of protected areas that encompass the leopard’s
remaining range. Recommendations stress the need for extensive surveys to update current status and dis-
tribution of the Leopard, and to develop ex situ and in situ conservation programs.
Threats
The decrease in Arabian leopard popu-
Fig. 1. Distribution change of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of the
19th century to 1998. Light yellow: distribution at the beginning of the 19th century; middle
lations is mainly due to habitat fragmen-
yellow: distribution in 1988; dark yellow: distribution in 1998. Green stars confirmed pres- tation, habitat degradation and direct
ence in 1998, red dots unconfirmed presence in 1998. persecution. In Saudi Arabia, habitat
loss began several centuries ago with
tree cutting to meet the wood demands
In this study, during the period 1998 to mountains), could also not be confirmed of growing iron and copper industries
2003, leopards were reported from 19 (R. Ajaj, pers. comm.). The fifth locati- (Collenette 1999). This was already lar-
locations, of which 4 can be considered on (P. Paillat, pers. comm.) in Samtah gely developed by the 16th century. Tree
confirmed (Appendix I). Fourteen of near the Yemen border was documented cutting and deforestation still occur in
these locations are distributed in 2 main in 1999 with pictures of 2 individual le- the southern Hijaz Mountains for char-
areas, whereas the other 5 are isolated, opards killed. coal production, an important local in-
single reports (Fig. 1). The most impor- A survey conducted between 1996 dustry (Biquand et al. 1990). In the last
tant area, in number of reports and size, and 2002, based on enquiries among twenty years, government policy has
is located in the Asir Mountains (Fig. 2) local shepherds and hunters, listed 65 encouraged the expansion of pastora-
between Al Baha and Abha along a lar- sightings of leopards at 42 sites (Al- lism and agricultural intensification so
ge steep escarpment, about 250 km long Johany 2007) mainly distributed in the as to achieve national self-sufficiency in
and 20–30 km wide. At 3 locations (Ji- Hijaz mountains (around Madinah and the production of meat and agricultural
bal Shada, Al Atifa and Wadi Khatayn), Al-Ula) and secondarily along the Asir products. Construction of new tracks
presence of the species was confirmed mountains. These unconfirmed records and roads in the escarpment has enabled
by killings, several reports of sightings largely overlapped the possible range encroachment into once remote areas.
from different witnesses, livestock assessed for the period 1990-2005 in Considerable development of highways
killed, and presence of tracks and signs. this status review. occurred between 1985 and 1990 (Gas-
The most recent record was obtained in The total potential range in 1998 was peretti & Jackson 1990). Along these
Wadi Khatayn (south of Biljurashi) in estimated to cover between 4,000 km2 new access roads, unplanned and un-
2002. However, camera traps deployed (considering only the 4 confirmed lo- controlled urban development has been
in the area during 2002 and 2003 failed cations) and 29,724 km2 (all locations), taking place without any Environmental
to obtain pictures of leopards. The se- with 19,635 km2 and 10,089 km2 in the Impact Assessment and/or management
cond most important area is located Asir and Hijaz mountains respectively plan. Rehabilitation and irrigation of
near Al Wahj, north of Madinah, in the (see Judas et al. 2004 for details of the terraces and water supplies with tanks
Hijaz Mountains. In spite of several re- analysis). Comparing ecological stu- allowed otherwise unsustainable deve-
ports of the presence of leopards here, dies of leopard conducted in areas of lopment and intensified encroachment
none could be clearly confirmed. A re- Africa with comparable rainfall (Bo- upon natural habitats.
cent survey (Budd 1999) did not produ- thma & Le Riche 1984, Stander et al. The diversity, abundance and distri-
ce any more evidence, although leopard 1997), with preliminary results of radio- bution of leopard prey species are dec-
presence was strongly suspected. Four tracked leopards in Oman (A. Spalton, lining all over the Kingdom, alongside
of the isolated locations, 3 in the Asir pers. comm.), and considering a likely habitat loss. Abundant and well distri-
mountains and 1 near Jebel Nahr (Hijaz gradual fall-off in density towards the buted in former times, gazelles and ibex
12 2006
have been extirpated from many areas,
and remaining populations reduced to
a few individuals by over-hunting. Wi-
despread use of firearms has intensified
the process. Where gazelles and ibex
still occur, hunting parties are regular-
ly organised during the summer (e.g. at
Al Fiqrah, Biquand et al. 1990). Hyrax,
thought to be an important part of the
leopard’s diet, is also heavily hunted.
Even if the species still appears to be
well distributed within the Asir Moun-
tains, high hunting pressure will und-
oubtedly reduce their abundance signi-
ficantly. Overgrazing by goats, sheep,
camels and feral donkeys increased in
the 1970s, and contributed significant-
ly to biodiversity loss. Excessive use
of vegetation reduced plant diversity,
which, in turn, affects the whole food Fig. 2. Presence of leopards is still reported around Jebel Khurs in the Asir Mountains (Al
chain from primary producers to top Baha area; Photo J. Judas).
predators.
Direct persecution, through pur-
suit of trophies or other products, and like trapping. Old fashioned rock traps coming from Yemen were sold in Saudi
livestock protection, is the third im- were largely used in the past. Leopards Arabia in summer 2001. The different
portant threat weighing on the leopard caught in such traps, or walled in their threats weighing on leopard survival
population’s fate. Sport hunting is a lair with stone and cement, were left to are strongly interrelated and can only be
common practice in Saudi Arabia. Le- starve to death or to reach a weak condi- solved if tackled in their entirety.
opards do not often appear to be the tion, then killed (Gasperetti et al. 1985).
sought-after game, but are recognized Rock traps are no longer used, but have Habitat
as valuable hunting trophies that ho- been replaced by metal cage traps that Leopards in Saudi Arabia are now con-
nour the bravery of the hunter (Seddon are easy to carry and move in the field, fined to remote and rugged areas of the
1996). In the same way, Bedus who baited with goat meat. Shooting and Sarawat Mountains, shared between
killed animals such as wolf, caracal, poisoning were considered as the main the Hijaz in the north and the Asir in
hyena, baboon and leopard in wadis causes of decline by Nader (1989). the south. The Hijaz mountains con-
around their camp hung them on trees at Recognition by local people that sist of a broken chain that rarely ex-
the roadside, presumably as a demons- wildlife can represent a source of profit ceeds 2,000m a.s.l. and receives very
tration of their skill. However, many also prompts them to kill or catch leo- little rainfall (<200mm/year, Child &
killings of leopards can be attributed to pards. As long as benefits were fairly Grainger 1990). Higher elevations are
livestock protection. When preying on low, leopard remains were presumably vegetated with Mediterranean Junipe-
goats, sheep, young camels or other do- sold as extra income and leopards were rus phoenicia, with the slopes being
mestic animals, leopards interfere with not killed specifically for this purpose. broken by dry wadis, where leopards
human activities and are seen as direct The fat was collected and sold for me- have been reported. In the Asir moun-
competitors (Nader 1996). With the dicinal purposes (Nader 1996). Skins tains, leopards live along the steep es-
decrease of natural prey species, they and teeth were available in the souk of carpment, parallel to the Red Sea coast,
have no choice but to alter their diet to Khamis Mushayt in 1985. The skin was that drops from up to 2,400 m to around
livestock, which increases their unpopu- sold for US$ 270. In 1994, the National 600 m a.s.l. The top of the escarpment
larity. In most cases, they are also consi- Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC) was and highlands are heavily built up and
dered as a threat to humans. As a result, informed that a skin was for sale in Abu cultivated (Evans 1995). The craggiest
leopards are hunted in all their range Dhabi market for US$ 15,000. In 1997, and highest parts are shaded by Afro-
(Biquand & Boug 1989) using different one live leopard was sold at auction for tropical juniper cloud-forest Juniperus
methods. Poisoning was common in the US$ 4,800 in Al Khawbah market near procera, whereas gentler slopes are
1980s, when the Ministry of Agriculture the Yemen border. A live leopard can be covered by dry vegetation associations
distributed free anticoagulant rat killer. sold for up to US$ 50,000. Existence of of Acacia asak–Commiphora spp. or
This poison was mixed with crushed a market for live animals (Fig. 3) with Acacia seyal–Commiphora spp. with
glass and metal particles to induce inter- increasing prices eases the development succulent plants (Adenium obesum or
nal haemorrhage (Biquand et al. 1990, of traffic. One young female was sold on species of Euphorbiaceae). Steep slo-
Biquand & Boug 1992). This practice the black market from Yemen to Saudi pes of volcanic rock, poorly vegetated,
seems to have stopped around 1985, un- Arabia in April 2001; two other animals alternate with impressive bare granite
Prey species
The diet of the Arabian Leopard has ne-
ver been studied in Saudi Arabia. Scat
analyses in similar habitats of Oman
(Muir-Wright 1999) showed that the
main prey species were, in order of im-
portance, the Arabian gazelle Gazella
gazella, Nubian ibex Capra ibex, Cape
hare Lepus capensis, rock hyrax Pro-
Fig. 3. Sacred baboon Papio hamadryas, potential prey of the leopard, caught in a trap set by cavia capensis, bird species, porcupine
local people to catch leopard in wadi Khatan. Illegal trapping represents an important threat Hystrix indica, Ethiopian hedgehog Pa-
on the species in Saudi Arabia (Photo J. Judas). raechinus aethiopicus, small rodents and
insects. In Palestine, the diet was main-
ly composed of hyrax and ibex (90 %)
boulders (Jabal Shadah, Wadi Oshar, to be particularly favorable for leopards. and porcupines (5 %; Ilany 1990). In
Fig. 4). These areas offer suitable shelter Narrow gorges with evergreen vegeta- Saudi Arabia, Child & Grainger (1990)
and shade, such as caves and tree cover tion (Phoenix reclinata palm trees, and also suggested that diet could be main-
that leopards need (Kingdon 1997). In the rare Mimops angustifolia) contain ly composed of hyrax and similar size
Al Atifa area, they use steep rocky slo- waterholes up to mid-summer and many prey. Nubian ibex and gazelles could
pes half way up the escarpment, where fresh and shaded rocky crevices. More- have been an important part of the diet
a network of caves has formed under over, the remoteness of these sites limits of leopards in the past, but nowadays,
huge rocks fallen from the cliffs. The human disturbance. the distribution range of these ungulates
valley beds at the foot of the escarpment is reduced to small isolated populations.
are generally densely wooded with tree Protected Areas In order to survive, leopards have no
species reaching 10-12 m in height Historically, Saudi Arabia has a long lo- choice but to alter their diet according
(Ziziphus, Ficus). Despite the fact that cal community-based tradition of cont- to prey availability. Hyrax are still quite
higher elevations of the Asir mountains rol and use of natural resources through common in the western part of the king-
(>2,000 m, south of Al Baha) can re- the “hima” system (Evans 1994). For dom, and leopards in parts of Africa
ceive a considerable amount of rainfall example, the Hima Al Fiqrah, where have been shown to prey mainly on this
(>500 mm/year), permanent waterholes leopards could presumably still survive, species (Stuart & Stuart 1995). Whether
or rivers are rare. It has been suggested ensured habitat protection in order to or not predation on primates occurs in
that the presence of permanent water maintain traditional honey production the Asir Mountains is debatable. Bro-
all year long could be a typical habi- (Biquand et al. 1990). No grazing was ken skulls of sacred baboons Papio ha-
tat requirement of leopard (Edmonds allowed, except for a few local live- madryas discovered under rock shelters
et al. 2002, Harrison & Bates 1991). stock. However, this system is increa- of Wadi Khatayn (South of Al Baha) in-
However, the presence of water where singly neglected in the whole Kingdom dicate that predation does occur, but the
leopards still occur could be the result due to population growth and spread predator has not been clearly identified.
of range reduction rather than a neces- associated with transport of water and Kummer et al. (1981) suggested that
sary condition. Leopards will drink eve- livestock fodder. predation upon monkeys is presumably
ry day when possible, but can survive Since 1986, Saudi Protected Areas, rare, whereas recent changes in baboon
without water for months (Haltenorth & established following IUCN criteria, are ranging habits have been attributed to
Diller 1985). Permanent water promo- managed by the National Commission leopard population change (Biquand et
tes development of rich vegetation and for Wildlife Conservation and Develop- al. 1989). If they do occur, attacks on
so higher food availability at all food ment (NCWCD) in Riyadh. Emphasis is baboons should be at night when they
chain levels, which would favor leopard given to in situ conservation which aims are asleep among rocks (Shortridge
existence. In Wadi Khatayn and Wadi to maintain and recover viable popula- 1934 cited in Kingdon 1977). Since le-
Oshar, south of Biljurashi, a permanent tions of wild species in nature within opards are known to be an opportunistic
river, which allows the development of their known natural range (Abuzinada predator, we can suppose that they will
a rich wildlife and potential prey, appear 2003). This system of protected areas also prey upon species like partridges
14 2006
(Ammoperdix heyi, Alectoris melanoce-
phala and A. philbyi), porcupines, hares
and even fishes, frogs and turtles that are
still abundant in some places. Neverthe-
less, following the general decrease of
wildlife populations and reduction in
natural habitat, leopards have also shif-
ted their diet towards domestic animals
(Fig. 5) that are a much easier prey to
catch. Predation upon goats, sheep,
young camels and feral donkeys has
been reported (Biquand 1989, Biquand
& Boug 1992). Leopards may also prey
on domestic dogs at night around or
even inside camps. Leopards may so-
metimes scavenge. A local Bedu men-
tioned a leopard briefly seen at night in
headlights, fleeing from the carcass of
a mammal that had been hit by a car on
the Biljurashi escarpment.
Domestic animals Fig. 4. Wadi Khatan near Biljurashi. Granite boulder rocks interspersed by densely vegetated
Livestock production is widely dis- riverbeds represent a typical leopard habitat in the escarpment of the Asir Mountains (Photo
tributed all over the kingdom. Mixed J. Judas).
herds of sheep and goats may number
up to 500, but are more often in the or-
der of 200 in open areas and around 100 Legal Status to induct a conservation ethic in farmers
in rugged areas. Grazing systems are Arabian leopard is classified as Cri- and the public. Contacts are established
extensive. Herds are left all day long to tically Endangered in the IUCN Red with local people, but on an irregular
graze in natural vegetation patches and List, and listed in CITES Appendix I. basis. NCWCD has produced posters
taken by shepherds between these pat- The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) on threatened animals of the kingdom,
ches, sometimes helped by sheepdogs. agreement endorsed in December 2001 that are not specifically designed for the
In the mountains they used to move included the Arabian Leopard in its po- leopard conservation, but that include
along slopes of wadis. However, herds licies of cross border conservation. In the species. NCWCD has developed a
do not spend the night alone on the field Saudi Arabia, hunting is restricted un- training centre where people (rangers,
anymore, but return to the camp, where der the National Hunting Law, Decree teachers etc) from Saudi Arabia or the
they receive additional fodder like alfal- No M/26 dated 25/5/1398 (2/5/1978) other Gulf States can receive informa-
fa. More than 40 years ago, people used and decree No 457 dated 13/3/1399 tion and training on environmental mo-
to spend the night in the mountains and (10/2/1979). Decree No M/22 from nitoring, environmental management,
put the lambs into small stone corrals to 1986 sets out NCWCD’s official remit and techniques of field study. A stuffed
protect them from predators (leopards, for protected areas, and Decree No 128 leopard is on display in the Natural His-
caracals, hyenas or wolves) or to pre- from 1995 concerns regulations gover- tory Museum at NCWCD. NWRC has
vent them suckling so as to be able to ning a “Wildlife Protected Areas Sys- produced two short video reports in re-
milk ewes more efficiently. Grazing ro- tem” including selection, establishment lation to leopard conservation.
tations are walked on a daily basis, but and management of wildlife protected
also depend on seasons and green vege- areas (Seddon 1996). All forms of hun- People and institutions
tation patches that are highly variable in ting are officially prohibited in Protec- Three organisations are involved in leo-
the arid environment. The grazing range ted Areas managed by NCWCD, but the pard conservation in Saudi Arabia:
of a herd used to be limited by daily wal- presence of leopards has been attested • The National Commission for Wildlife
king distances. However, development from only 2 of them. A Wild Animals Conservation and Development (NCW-
of roads made new temporary settle- and Birds Hunting Act, an Act on the CD) is a governmental agency, directed
ments possible in previously remote Trade in Endangered Wildlife Species by Prof. Dr. A. Abuzinada, established
areas. Movement of herds is assisted by and their Products, and an Environ- in Riyadh in 1986 by Royal Decree No.
trucks and the expense is supported by mental Code have been promulgated in M/22 and which has the mandate to “De-
the government (Nasser & Esber 1995). 1999, 2000 and 2002, respectively (Mé- velop and implement plans to preserve
In many cases, Saudi livestock owners sochina, pers. comm.). Wildlife in its natural ecology”. The
have other income as well as keeping NCWCD has created two committees:
livestock and let the control of flocks to Conflicts and Public awareness The Carnivore Advisory Group (CAG)
Sudanese or Ethiopian shepherds. The public awareness programme aims under the chairman of Dr. I. Nader and
supervision of the secretary General of • The King Khaled Wildlife Research ting the species, and ex situ captive
NCWCD, Prof. Dr. A. Abuzinada, and Centre (KKWRC) located in Tumamah, breeding will provide a genetic backup
The Arabian Leopard Working group, 30 km north-west from Riyadh, is main- of the gene pool (Joubert 2001).
constituted on 7 January 1996. ly involved in conservation and captive
• The National Wildlife Research Cen- breeding of gazelles and ibex. Genetic Captive breeding
tre (NWRC), created in 1988 in Taif, is analyses of leopard samples have been Four individuals are currently kept in
in charge of captive breeding and rein- initiated. NWRC and three have been loaned for
troduction of viable populations of hou- breeding purpose to the Breeding Cen-
bara bustard and Arabian oryx in Saudi Ongoing work tre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife,
Arabia. A programme of leopard capti- Conservation strategy Sharjah. In order to develop the captive
ve breeding (Fig. 6) and field investi- On 26 February 2001, the Arabian Le- breeding programme in NWRC, new
gations has been initiated. An Arabian opard Working Group of the NCWCD facilities are under construction with
Leopard Captive Breeding Working defined a conservation strategy and re- private funds received from Prince Fa-
Group (ALCBWG) has been created in cognized that in situ conservation was ysal bin Saud bin Mohammed al Saud.
relation with NCWCD. the most appropriate means of protec- Construction of three such breeding
units, totalling 9 separate cages, has
been planned over 5 years as well as the
setting up of a natural enclosure to rear
captive-bred young in semi-captivity.
Genetic analyses
Genetic analyses have been initiated in
1998 in KKWRC with the aim of cla-
rifying the taxonomic status of the Ara-
bian subspecies P. p. nimr (Hammond
et al. 1997). In 2000, 101 samples from
13 of the 27 subspecies have been coll-
ected, most of them from specimens in
the Arabian Peninsula. First analyses
focused on DNA sequencing by PCR
amplification (Winney et al. 1999).
Analyses were stopped through techni-
cal problems and lack of funding.
Field surveys
Fig. 5. Goat killed by a leopard in wadi Khatan. The increasing rarity of typical prey species NWRC staff promptly visit places whe-
forces leopards to prey more and more often on livestock, which reinforces conflict with local re signs of presence are reported. Field
human populations (Photo J. Judas). surveys and camera-trapping were con-
16 2006
ducted in 2002 and 2003 in Wadi Oshar
(down to Biljurashi escarpment, south
of Al Baha), where sightings and signs
of activity have recently been reported.
Two infra-red camera traps, on loan
from BCEAW, were installed from April
5 to June 8, 2002 and 3 from March 7 to
May 31, 2003, totalling 338 trap nights
and allowing us to obtain 396 pictures.
Unfortunately, no pictures of leopards
were obtained.
Recommendations
Field investigations and ecological study
Updating the status and distribution
based on extensive surveys of remaining
wild populations needs to be urgently
undertaken. All potentially suitable sites
have to be investigated. Areas where the Fig. 6. Leopard’s accommodation in the National Wildlife Research Center – Taif, Saudi
presence of leopards has recently been Arabia (Photo O. Couppey - NWRC, Taif).
reported should be targeted as priority
sites for conservation.
Efficiency of conservation program- • establishment of long-term monito- as potential sites for leopard conserva-
mes and population management would ring with regular periodic surveys tion (Child & Grainger 1990), should
be greatly improved with accurate (camera trapping); receive particular attention. Minimum
knowledge of the ecology of the Ara- • assessment of the gene pool by deter- critical size and management plans of
bian subspecies. Field surveys should mining genetic identity from blood Protected Areas have to be carefully
firstly focus on population assessment and scats (DNA microsatellite map- considered (see Judas et al. 2004 for
using the camera trapping technique, ping). suggestions). As a further step, potential
which appears to be efficient for leopard sites for reintroduction, population rein-
surveys in Oman. A second step would Socio-economic survey forcement or translocation would have
be to gather information on the number Socio-economic surveys should assess to be identified, if requested, according
of individuals per sub-population, to de- the effect of leopard predation on live- to the updated results of population sta-
termine range use pattern, home range stock (number, species killed and eco- tus and distribution.
size, activity pattern, habitat require- nomic cost). Compensation measures
ments, food requirement (prey species), for kills of domestic animals should be Ex situ conservation: Captive breeding
prey availability, relation predator-prey examined, including solutions for pro- Captive breeding facilities in NWRC
(such as seasonal movements of ibex per identification of the causes of death, are currently too small to develop a
and gazelles), competition with other and for regular fundraising. Human ac- captive breeding and reintroduction
predators (caracal, hyena, wolf), con- tivities in areas used by leopards, need programme. New facilities with a large
flict with man. to be described and quantified to modify enclosed area are on the way to being
The proper organization of ecologi- the conservation plan. implemented. This would allow us to
cal studies would require the full time capture remaining individuals for capti-
appointment of at least one PhD stu- In situ conservation: Protected Areas ve breeding and release purposes, if the
dent and/or one researcher and a team Presence of leopards has been reported population is thought not to be no lon-
of field workers with appropriate fun- in only 2 protected areas, both too small ger viable. A structure or company able
ding. Important material means should to provide any efficient conservation. to help the NWRC has to be identified
be available to capture and mark wild New key sites have to be identified and (Espie & Bertschinger 2001) and finan-
animals, and conduct radio-tracking or secured through establishment of new cial funding should be planned to assu-
satellite-tracking studies. protected areas in order to assure viabi- re the construction of facilities and the
To assure long term survival of the lity of the last remaining populations. In functioning of the project (food, veteri-
wild populations, population viability the actual state of knowledge, we sug- nary care, researchers, technicians and
analysis should be developed to project gest concentrating conservation efforts labourers, staff training, materials). The
populations trends with regularly up- on the Biljurashi escarpment, between captive breeding structure can generate
dated data. This would require: Al Mikwah and Nimrah, from where some funds, through opening to visitors
• an understanding of population dyna- the most recent records come, as well or by stimulating private sponsors. Cap-
mics; as Al Atifah area. Several areas (Wadi tive breeding could also contribute to
• study of dispersal rates and quantify Aleb, Jibal Bani Yub, north of Badr, development of a genetic fingerprinting
movements between populations; Himat Al Fiqrah) already mentioned method for individual identification and
18 2006
ries No.2. Birdlife International, Cam- Report, NWRC, Taif. oudite: découverte d’un Royaume. Inter-
bridge, UK. Kingdon J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide national Institute of Technology, Joplin,
Gasperetti J., Harrison D. L. and Büttiker W. to African Mammals. Academic Press, Missouri, USA.
1985. The Carnivora of Arabia. Fauna of London. Seddon P. J. 1996. Status and distribution of
Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461. Kummer H. A., Banaja A. A., Aro-Khatwa native mammalian carnivores in Saudi
Gasperetti J. and Jackson P. 1990. Prelimi- A. N. and Grandour A. M. 1981. Prima- Arabia. Towards an Action Plan for the
nary report of the status of the Arabian tes, a survey of Hamadryas Baboon in Conservation of Native Carnivores in the
Leopard. Report, 15 pp. Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 3, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Project propo-
Haltenorth T. and Miller H. 1985. Les mam- 441-471. sal, Dec. 1996, NWRC, Taif. 18 pp.
mifères d’Afrique et de Madagascar. Lacy R. C., Hughes K. A. and Kreeger T. J. Stander P. E., Haden P. J., Kaqece and Ghau
Delachaux et Niestle. 2001. VORTEX Users Manual. A sto- 1997. The ecology of asociality in Nami-
Hammond R., Nader I., Boug, A. and Bru- chastic Simulation of the Extinction Pro- bian Leopards. Journal of Zoology, Lon-
ford M. 1997. Arabian faunal endemism: cess. 65 pp. don 242, 343-364.
a case study of the Arabian leopard, Pan- Muir-Wright M. T. 1999. The diet of the Stuart C. and Stuart T. 1995. Minute to Mid-
thera pardus nimr. KKWRC- NCWCD highly endangered Arabian Leopard night. Report of a scientific survey on the
research project proposal. 5 pp. (Panthera pardus nimr). BSc (Hons). status of indigenous wildlife in the Uni-
Harrison D. L. and Bates P. J. J. 1991. Mam- Thesis. University of Aberdeen. ted Arab Emirates executed on behalf of
mals of Arabia. 2nd Edition. Harrison Nader I. 1989. Rare and endangered mam- the Arabian Leopard Trust.
Zoological Museum Publication, Seve- mals of Saudi Arabia. In: Wildlife Con- Sutherland W. J. 1998. The importance of
noaks. servation and Development in Saudi behavioural studies in conservation bio-
Hemprich F.W. and C.G. Ehrenberg, 1828- Arabia. Proceedings of the first Sympo- logy. Animal. Behaviour 56, 801-809.
1833. Symbolae physicae seu icones et sium, Riyadh Feb. 1987. NCWCD Publi- Uphyrkina O., Johnson W. E., Quigley H.,
descriptiones mammalium, 1 and 2. Ber- cation #3. Miquelle D., Marker L., Bush M. and
lin. Nader I. 1995. Conflict between large mam- O’Brien S. J. 2001. Phylogenetics, geno-
Ilany G. 1990. The spotted ambassadors of a mals and man in Saudi Arabia. In Bis- me diversity and origin of modern leo-
vanishing world. Israelal, 16-24. sonette J. A. and Krausman P. R. (eds). pard, Panthera pardus. Molecular Ecolo-
Joubert E. 2001. Conservation strategy for Proceedings of the 1st International Wild- gy 10, 2617-2633.
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Panthera pardus nimr in Saudi Arabia. Nasser I. R. and Esber I. S. 1995. Arabie Sa-
The assumption that the historical range of the leopard in Yemen formerly extended through all or most of
the mountainous areas of the country seems to be reasonable. Since 1990 reports on the occurrence and dis-
tribution of the Arabian leopard in Yemen are generalized, and all post 1990 records can be grouped in five
broad clusters. 1. The northern part of the western highlands (Wada’a, Saada to the Saudi border and Kufl
Shammar in Hajja. 2. The central part of the western highlands (Al Hayma, Jebel Bura’a and Jebel Raymah.
3. South western region (Radfan to Al Koor and possibly extending west to Taizz). 4. Central Yemen (Wadi
Hajar, possibly with Wadi Hadhramaut). 5. Al Mahra region in the East.
Due to lack of sufficient information on various aspects of the leopard’s life in Yemen, extensive field work
is urgently needed to assess the status of this animal. Since the animal is facing great threat, strict protection
measures are urgently needed. Major threats to leopards include 1. depletion of their prey, 2. direct persecu-
tion through killing, 3. habitat degradation. Immediate action to control these threats are needed, priorities
are:1. Establish the current status of the leopard and its prey. 2. Provide effective protection for the Arabian
leopard and its prey. 3. Take immediate protection measures once surveying sub-populations are identified.
4. Set up an Arabian Leopard Working Group to develop a conservation strategy. 5. Develop a good captive
breeding programme. 6. Initiate long term education and public awareness. 7. Strongly discourage further
live capture and hunting.
.ϻϮΒϘϣ ήϣ ϭΪΒϳ ΔϴϠΒΠϟ ϖσΎϨϤϟ Ϣψόϣ ϭ Ϟϛ ϲϓ ΪΘϣ Ϊϗ ϦϤϴϟ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ έΎθΘϧ ϥ΄Α νήΘϓϻ ϥ·
Ύϣ ˬΔϣΎϋ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ϲϫ 1990 ϡΎόϟ άϨϣ ήϳέΎϘΘϟ ϲϓ ΕήϬχ ϲΘϟ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ έΎθΘϧϭ ΪΟϮΗ ΕϼϴΠδΗ ϊϴϤΠϓ
ΕΎόϔΗήϤϠϟ ΔϴϟΎϤθϟ ΔϘτϨϤϟ -1 .Δδϴέ ΕΎϋϮϤΠϣ βϤΧ ϲϓ ΎϬόοϭ ϦϜϤϴϓ 1990 ΪόΑ ΕήϛΫ ϲΘϟ ΕϼϴΠδΘϟ
Ϧϣ ςγϭϷ ˯ΰΠϟ -2 .(ΔΠΣ ϲϓ ήϤη Ϟϔϗ ϰϟ· ϻϮλϭϭ ΔϳΩϮόδϟ ΩϭΪΤϟ ϰϟ· ΩΪΘϣ ΓΪόλϭ ΔϋΩϭ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ
ϊϣ έϮϜϟ ϰϟ· ϥΎϓΩέ Ϧϣ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ ΔϴΑϮϨΠϟ ΔϘτϨϤϟ -3 .(ΔϤϳέ ϞΒΟϭ ωήΑ ϞΒΟϭ ΔϤϴΤϟ ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ ΕΎόϔΗήϤϟ
ΔϘτϨϣ -5 .(ΕϮϣήπΣ ϱΩϭ ϞϤΘΤϤϟ Ϧϣϭ ήΠΣ ϱΩϭ) ϰτγϮϟ ΔϘτϨϤϟ -4 .(ΰόΗ ϰϟ· ΎΑήϏ ΎϫΩΪΘϣ ϝΎϤΘΣ
.ΩϼΒϟ ϕήη ϊϘΗ ϲΘϟ ΓήϬϤϟ
ΕΎγέΪΑ ϡΎϴϘϠϟ ΔΤϠϣ ΔΟΎΤϟ ϥΈϓ ϦϤϴϟ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΓΎϴΣ ΐϧϮΟ ϒϠΘΨϣ Ϧϋ ΔϠϣΎϛ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ήϓϮΗ ϡΪόϟ ήψϧ
ΫΎΨΗϻ ΔΤϠϣ ΔΟΎΣ ϙΎϨϫ ϥΈϓ ΓήϴΜϛ ΕΪϳΪϬΗ ϪΟϮϳ ήϤϨϟ ϥϷ ήψϧϭ .ϥϮϴΤϟ άϬϟ ϲϟΎΤϟ ϊοϮϟ ΪϳΪΤΘϟ ΔϴϠϘΣ
ϲΘϟ ΕΎϧϮϴΤϟ ΩΎϴτλ -1 :ϲϠϳ Ύϣ Δδϴήϟ ΕΪϳΪϬΘϟ ϞϤθΗ ϭ ˬϯϮμϘϟ ΔϋήδϟΎΑ ϪΘϳΎϤΤϟ Δϣίϼϟ ήϴΑΪΘϟ
ϩάϫ ϰϠϋ ΓήτϴδϠϟϭ .ΎϬϴϓ ζϴόϳ ϲΘϟ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ έϮϫΪΗ -3 ˬήϤϨϠϟ ήηΎΒϤϟ ϞΘϘϟ -2 ˬΔόϴΒτϟ ϲϓ ήϤϨϟ ΎϬϴϠϋ ϯάϐΘϳ
-2 .Ϫδήϔϟϭ ήϤϨϠϟ ϲϟΎΤϟ ϊοϮϟ ΪϳΪΤΗ -1 :ΔϴΗϵ ΕΎϳϮϟϭϷ ϖϴΒτΗ ΐΠϳ ϪϧΈϓ ΔΑϮϠτϤϟ ΔϋήδϟΎΑ ΕΩΪϬϤϟ
4 .ΔϳϮϧΎΜϟ ϪΗΎόϤΠΗ ΪϳΪΤΗ ΩήΠϤΑ Δϳέϭήπϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ ϞΒγ ΫΎΨΗ -3 ..ΎϬ˰γήΘϔϳ ϲΘϟ ΕΎϧϮϴΤϠϟϭ Ϫϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ ήϴϓϮΗ
-6 .ήγϷ ϲϓ έΎΜϛϹ ΞϣήΑ ήϳϮτΗ -5 .ΔϳΎϤΤϟ ΔϴΠϴΗήΘγ ϊοϮϟ ϦϴμμΨΘϤϟ Ϧϣ ϞϤϋ ΔϋϮϤΠϣ ˯Ύθϧ· -
.ϩΩΎϴτλΎΑ ϊϴΠθΘϟ ϡΪϋ -7 .ϯΪϤϟ ΓΪϴόΑ ΔϴϋϮΗϭ ϢϴϠόΗ ΞϣήΒΑ ˯ΪΒϟ
20 2006
malia, so differentiating skins of Ara-
bian leopards from those originating in
northeast Africa may be difficult.
Harrison (1968) quoted an early
sight record in1843 and listed four spec-
imens obtained at localities north and
northeast of Aden. These were: west of
Beihan; Jebel Dasha near Dhala; Mah-
fid; and the Aulaqi Kaur. In the same
general area, Bury (1911) reported hear-
ing a leopard in Wadi Hatib, between
Nisab and Dathinah. Thesiger (1949)
observed leopard tracks in Wadi Ma-
khya, north of Wadi Hadhramaut. Scott
(1942) saw a captive animal in Sana’a
and obtained a skin said to have been
Fig. 1. Distribution of Leopards in the Republic of Yemen. For the numbers in the map, see
procured locally; he also mentioned a text.
leopard recently captured in the vicinity
of Ta’iz. Sanborn & Hoogstraal (1953)
described leopards as ‘scarce but wide- May 2005 in part of Wadi Hadhramaut from the central part of Hadhramaut.
spread’ in the highlands of western revealed that the last leopard had been However, the lower part of this huge
Yemen, and Harrison (1968) said this shot about 15 years earlier and some lo- wadi system, Wadi Masilah, has not
also applied to their status in the moun- cal people who were questioned did not yet been surveyed for large mam-
tains north of Aden. know the animal (EPAA 2005). mals. It is remote, largely uninhab-
Obadi (1993a, b) said that leopards According to local reports collated ited and contains a 130-km long
occurred from Habil Jabr, east of Rad- by the Environmental Protection Au- stretch of flowing water (F. Krupp,
fan, to the Al-Kaur mountains in Abyan thority in Sana’a, leopards are present in pers. comm.). There is also no recent
province and reported that 22 leopards seven localities: between Sa’dah and the information from the wadis north of
had been killed there during 1979-86 by northern border with Saudi Arabia; Kufl Hadhramaut such as the area around
villagers around Lawdar. This area de- Shammar, in Hajjar Governorate; Al Minwakh and Zamakh where ibex
scribed covers about 180-200 km, east Hayma, east of Manakhah; Jebel Bura’a are reported to be present.
to west, and lies north-east and east of and Jebel Raymah; between Ta’iz and 5. Al Mahra, in eastern Yemen. Hauf
Aden. Some of the specimens listed by Aden; Hadhramaut; Al Mahra. Forest and nearby mountains share
Harrison (1968) were also obtained in It is difficult to give an accurate similar habitat to that in the adjacent
this region. summary of current leopard status in mountains of Dhofar. Leopards have
Evans (1994) said that leopards were Yemen, given the absence of recent been recorded in Oman within a few
rare in the hills surrounding Wadi Hajar survey data. However, all the above kilometres of the border (Spalton et
in central-southern Yemen. Jennings post-1990 records and reports can be al. 2006) and ibex are reported to oc-
(1997) reported four leopards shot in grouped into five broad geographical cur on the Yemen side (Evans 1994.
the previous few years in southern and clusters (Fig. 1): Showler 1996).
eastern Yemen, without giving detailed
localities. 1. The northern part of the western However, the above reports vary in
El-Mashjary (1995) and Lagrot & highlands (Wada’a, Kufl Shammar, data quality and may be out of date.
Lagrot (1999) provided recent records and the area between Sa’dah and the It is likely that some or even many of
from Wada’a, an area situated about Saudi border). theses sites no longer hold leopards,
120km north of Sana’a and containing 2. The central part of the western high- or that only small remnants survive. In
20 villages, the largest of which is Al- lands (Al Hayma, Jebel Raymah, and fact, the only site where leopard pres-
Gasem (16000’N/43057’E, 2,380 m). possibly Jebel Bura’a). ence has been definitely confirmed dur-
Leopard records consisted of field signs, 3. Southwest Yemen. This comprises ing the last two years is Wada’a. This
livestock killed and leopards trapped. the area from Radfan to Al Kaur, as is a relatively small area and one where
Several leopards have been captured described by Obadi (1993a, 1993b), leopards have been regularly trapped.
subsequently in Wada’a, the latest one and possibly extending northwest- Un-notified trapping must surely at
in early 2005 (Galal Al Harogi pers. wards to mountains in the vicinity least equal the number of reported cas-
comm.), indicating continued occur- of Ta’iz. It is possible that some of es. Removal of animals from the wild,
rence there. the captive leopards held in Ta’iz zoo either live captured or killed, cannot
Recent survey work carried out by came from a nearby locality. be sustained indefinitely. Field work is
one of the authors [AKN] in Bura’a 4. Central-southern Yemen (Wadi Hajar urgently needed to assess the status of
protected area found no signs or local and Hadhramaut). It seems likely leopards in each of these areas and the
reports of leopards. A field survey in that leopards have been extirpated extent of isolation between them.
There are no estimates of past or leopards during one night in June 1983. Habitat
present numbers, but the population is These were presumably a female with The western mountains extend for over
generally considered to be small and two cubs. Figures from Wada’a are di- 500km from north to south and paral-
fragmented. The few published sources vergent. El-Mashjary (1995) said more lel to the Red Sea. These mountains rise
agree that leopards are rare in Yemen. than 100 leopards had been trapped by steeply from the Tihamah coastal plain
El-Mashjary (1995) said that large shepherds in Wada’a over the previous and contain many peaks over 3,000 m
mammals had been seriously depleted 20 years to protect their livestock, while in elevation, including Jabal al-Nabi
during the 20th century and that leopards Lagrot & Lagrot (1999) quoted the lo- Shu’ayb (3,666 m), the highest point
were rarely seen. Stuart & Stuart (1996) cal sheikh as saying that 10 leopards (9 on the Arabian Peninsula. The central
suggested that leopard numbers were males, 1 female) had been caught during part of the range consists of hills and
very low. Al-Jumaily (1998) said that the last 10 years. Leopards are captured basins at altitudes of 2,000-2,750 m
leopards could be close to extinction. in stone traps called margaba. The traps that fall away gradually on the eastern
The current population trend is assumed resemble an igloo in shape, 120cm high side to the desert interior. The western
to be declining, based on reductions in and 200cm long, with a long flat stone escarpment is intensively cultivated,
prey species and the scarcity of reports. suspended above the entrance by a rope, usually by means of extensive terraces
which is attached to a piece of meat at and it is cut by numerous, deep valley
Threats the far end of the trap. Eight traps were systems. The seven largest wadis con-
The major threats to leopards in Yemen sited at the top of a cliff above the wadi, tain water throughout the year and are
are direct persecution and depletion and close to the inhabited area. Some partially wooded with trees and shrubs
of the prey base through uncontrolled of the leopards caught in this area have such as Cordia abyssinica, Breonadia
hunting. Firearms are widely available, ended up in captivity, while others have salicina and Ficus species (Scholte
wildlife is heavily hunted and popula- been killed; their fat and skin may be 1992). Wadi Rijaf has luxuriant riparian
tions of all large mammals have de- used as medicine against rheumatism forest with trees up to 20mб including
clined in recent decades (Varisco et al. and skin disease (El-Mashjary 1995, species of Ficus, Mimusops, Tamarin-
1992, El-Mashjary 1995, Al-Jumaily Lagrot & Lagrot 1999). Leopards are dus, and Trichilia (Cowan 2004). The
1998, UNDP/UNEP/GEF 2001). still being captured here occasionally mountains become more rounded to the
Leopards are killed and trapped by including one in spring 2005. south around Ta’iz. Natural vegetation
livestock owners in some areas. Obadi There has been a tradition of ex- here has been extensively degraded, but
(1993a, 1993b) reported that villagers hibiting captive leopards in towns in some Euphorbia ammak scrub occurs
in the Lawdar area had killed 22 leop- Yemen. Hunters still occasionally catch in the southern part of the escarpment
ards during 1979-86 in retaliation for leopards for trade purposes and accord- (Cornwallis & Porter 1982) and a few
attacks on goats and he saw skins of ing to anecdotal reports, the price for a pockets of juniper woodland (Juniperus
five leopards. He also reported that peo- captive Arabian leopard may have risen spp.) remain, for example on Jabal Iraf,
ple in Umdrib village had killed three to US$15,000. Three leopards from between Aden and Ta’iz (Martins 1996).
22 2006
Wada’a, in the northern part of the west-
ern highlands was described by Lagrot
& Lagrot (1999) as a dry, rocky moun-
tain with two wadis several kilometres
apart and covering about 600 km2. El-
Mashjary (1995) said the area contained
20 villages and a steep rocky gorge.
A series of arid mountains, hills and
plateaux extends across southern Yem-
en. Rugged hills and mountains with
peaks above 2,000 m run eastwards
along the interior of southern Yemen
to the northeast of Aden. An extensive,
barren desert plateau, around 1,000-
1,200 m in elevation, the jol, extends
eastwards from Shabwa, dropping away
northwards to the sands of the Rub al
Khali. This plateau is deeply dissected
by a complex series of wadis, some of
which contain permanent water. The
longest and most extensive of these Fig. 3. Bura‘a in the western mountains of Yemen ( Photo A. K. Nasher).
is the Wadi Hadhramaut-Wadi Masi-
lah system, which runs west-east then
southeast into the Gulf of Aden. Former periods in spring and summer. Southern by overhunting (Mallon & Al-Safadi
leopard habitat in Wadi Hadhramaut and eastern Yemen are much hotter and 2001).
consists of deep wadis incised into the more arid, except for the extreme east Hamadryas baboons Papio hamadr-
plateau with long stretches of cliff and where there is a short summer rainy yas occur in the western mountains and
blocks of fallen rock. Drier slopes hold season. highlands northeast of Aden (Harrison
a sparse vegetation of Acacia spp., Ly- & Bates 1991, Al-Jumaily 1998). How-
cium shawii, Zizyphus spp. In the wadi Prey Species ever, it has not yet been established that
beds a few permanent fresh water pools There is no information on leopard diet Arabian leopards, which are very small
and springs occur along with pools of a in Yemen but several potential prey spe- in size for this species, actually prey
temporary nature: location and duration cies occur. Nubian ibex Capra nubiana on baboons. Gasperetti et al. (1985)
of the latter vary with rainfall. These are have a scattered distribution in southern observed that baboons living in social
surrounded by groves of trees includ- and eastern Yemen (Al-Jumaily 1998, groups would be a formidable prey,
ing figs (Ficus salicifolia, F. populifo- Evans 1994, Showler 1996, UNDP/ and suggested that leopards would only
lia and date palms Phoenix dactylifera. UNEP/GEF 2001). However, as long be able to take them on rare occasions
Hauf Forest in Al Mahra Governorate ago as 1915 the ibex was considered when an individual baboon became iso-
is dominated by Anogeissus dhofarica, rare and had already disappeared from lated.
Commiphora habessinica and Adenium some areas of former range (Harrison Several medium-sized mammals
obesum (Martins 1996). 1968). Ibex are still distributed across that were recorded in leopard diet in
Forest cover in general was once southern Yemen but numbers have been southern Oman by Muir-Wright (1999)
much more extensive than at present, depleted by hunting. In Hadhramaut are widely distributed in Yemen: Rock
but trees have been systematically cut there is a long tradition of ibex hunting hyrax Procavia capensis, Cape hare Le-
down for fuel over the centuries, and and horns are traditionally placed on the pus capensis, porcupine Hystrix indica,
forests are now almost absent, except corners of houses. Ibex are still present and hedgehogs Paraechinus aethiopi-
for the 30,000 ha Hawf Forest in Al in Hadhramaut but numbers have fallen cus and P. hypomelas (Harrison & Bates
Mahra and 4,100 ha Bura’a Forest in Al to low levels. Mountain gazelle Gazella 1991, Al-Jumaily 1998). Small carni-
Hudaidah. Scattered Acacia and Com- gazella is the only widespread gazelle vores could in theory also form part of
miphora savanna woodland occurs spo- species whose range overlaps that of leopard diet. Species available in Yemen
radically along the coast and in some the leopard to a significant degree. Ara- comprise golden jackal Canis aureus,
inland areas, but rapidly thins out east- bian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa three species of foxes Vulpes vulpes,
wards into the desert. marica prefers sand dune habitats and V. rueppellii, V. cana; three cats Felis
The climate is generally hot, though has only been recorded in the north and silvestris, F. margarita, Caracal cara-
modified by altitude. Frost and snow northeast, so its range is unlikely to cal; honey badger Mellivora capensis;
are not uncommon in winter at high overlap that of the leopard. Two other two mongooses Bdeogale crassicauda,
elevations (Cornwallis & Porter 1982). species, Gazella bilkis and G. saudiya, Ichneumia albicauda, and one viverrid
Precipitation may reach 650 mm annu- are extinct. All gazelle populations in Genetta feline. All apparently occur at
ally in the western highlands, with rainy Yemen have been severely depleted low densities (Harrison & Bates 1991,
24 2006
only site where leopards are known
to exist at present. Information re-
quired includes basic habitat param-
eters; numbers of leopards trapped;
the frequency of attacks on livestock.
Protection measures and awareness-
raising activities should be instigated
to stem further losses from the wild
population.
• Conduct rapid assessment surveys in
all areas where leopards have been
recently reported (see above). Follow
up with more detailed surveys where
positive indications of leopard pres-
ence are found. Surveys should uti-
lise the full range of field techniques
to accelerate data collection: sign sur-
veys (tracks, scrapes etc), molecular
scatology, camera trapping, structured
local interviews as appropriate. Fig. 5. Bura‘a in the western mountains of Yemen (Photo Abdul Karim Nasher).
• Take immediate protective measures
once any surviving sub-populations
are identified. Cornwallis L. and Porter R. F. 1982. Spring Martins R. P. 1996. Some aspects of south-
• Provide a training programme in field observations on the birds of North Yem- ern Yemen: an introduction for field or-
en. Sandgrouse 4, 1-36. nithologists and conservationists. Sand-
techniques for local rangers and staff,
Cowan P. 2004. Wadi Rijaf, Jebel Bura’, grouse 17, 15-21.
backed up by written materials (i.e. a Muir-Wright, M. T. 1999. The diet of the
Yemen. The Phoenix 20, 11-12.
basic survey handbook). El-Mashjary M. S. 1995. The Arabian leop- highly endangered Arabian leopard (Pan-
ard its habitat and prey in the Republic of thera pardus nimr). B.Sc. (Hons.) Thesis,
Yemen. Workshop on the Arabian leop- University of Aberdeen.
Captive Breeding
ard (Panthera pardus nimr) 15-16 Octo- Obadi N.A. 1993a. [Animals of Yemen:
• Develop the captive breeding pro-
ber 1995, Sharjah. Mammals.] Vol. 1. Obadi Publication
gramme in line with the best interna- EPAA 2005. Wadi Hadhramout Conserva- Centre. (In Arabic).
tional standards. tion area. Rapid assessment survey. En- Obadi N.A. 1993b. [Man and environment
• Extend training in captive manage- vironment and Protected Areas Author- in Yemen.] Obadi Publication Centre. (In
ment and veterinary techniques to ity, Sharjah. Arabic).
Ta’iz Zoo. Evans M.I . (Compiler). 1994. Important Sanborn C.C. & Hoogstraal H. 1953. Some
• Integrate all leopards currently in Bird Areas in the Middle East. BirdLife mammals of Yemen and their ectopara-
captivity, notably those in Ta’izz, into International, Cambridge. sites. Fieldiana: Zoology 34, 229-252.
Gasperetti J., Harrison D. L. and Büttiker W. Scholte, P. T. 1992. The birds of Wadi Rima,
the international captive breeding
1985. The Carnivora of Arabia. Fauna of a permanently flowing wadi in western
programme.
Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461. Yemen. Sandgrouse 14, 93-108.
Harrison D. L. 1964. The mammals of Ara- Scott H. 1942. In the high Yemen. John
Education and Awareness bia. Volume 1. Ernest Benn, Tonbridge. Murray, London.
• Develop a long-term education and Harrison D. L. 1968. The mammals of Ara- Showler D. A. 1996. Mammal observa-
public awareness programme through bia. Volume 2. Ernest Benn, Tonbridge. tions in Yemen and Socotra, spring 1993.
schools, posters and the media. Harrison D. L. & Bates P. J. J. 1991. The Sandgrouse 17, 165-169.
• Strongly discourage further live cap- mammals of Arabia. Second edition. Har- Stuart C. and Stuart T. 1996. Summary of
ture and hunting through all possible rison Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks. findings of an exploratory visit to the
Hunter F. M. 1877 (reprinted 1968). An ac- Republic of Yemen. Unpublished report,
measures.
count of the British settlement of Aden in African-Arabian Wildlife Research Cen-
Arabia. Frank Cass & Co., London. tre.
Ecological Research Jennings M. C. 1997. ABBA survey 20: Thesiger W. 1949. A further journey across
• Collect and collate information on Eastern Yemen, February 1997. Phoenix the Empty Quarter. Geographical Journal
home range size, habitat use, disper- 14, 3-6. 113, 21-46.
sal, diet. Lagrot I. &. Lagrot J-F. 1999. Leopard in the UNDP/UNEP/GEF. 2001. The integration
Arabian Peninsula. Cat News 30, 21-22. of biodiversity into national environmen-
References Mallon D. P. and Al-Safadi M. 2001. Yem- tal assessment procedures. National case
Al-Jumaily M. M. 1998. Review of the en. In Mallon D. P. and Kingswood, S. studies. Yemen. UNDP/UNEP/GEF.
mammals of the Republic of Yemen. C. (Compilers). Antelopes. Part 4: North Varisco D. M., Ross J. P. and Milroy A.
Fauna of Arabia 17, 477-502. Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Global 1992. Biological Diversity Assessment
Bury G. W. 1911. The land of Uz. Macmil- Survey and Regional Action Plans, pp. of Yemen. ICBP, Study Report No. 52.
lan & Co., London. 63-68. IUCN, Gland. Cambridge.
Once widespread in the mountains of Oman the Arabian leopard disappeared from the Hajar range in 1976
and has not been recorded in the Musandam Governorate since 1997. However, it continues to survive
through much of the Dhofar Mountains.
The first significant step to conserve the Arabian leopard was taken in 1985 when the region’s first captive
breeding group was established. Further important steps were taken in 1997 when Jabal Samhan, a part of
the Dhofar Mountains, was declared a Nature Reserve. In the same year the Arabian Leopard Survey was
launched and since that time field surveys, camera-trapping and tracking of leopards fitted with GPS satel-
lite collars has not only revealed vital information on the ecology of this species but has helped to keep this
flagship species in the public eye.
While new work, from ecotourism initiatives to molecular scatology, is underway further bold steps need
to be taken if we are to conserve Oman’s and perhaps the regions’ last wild Arabian leopard population.
Undoubtedly the most important of these is to urgently safeguard the leopards and associated biodiversity
of Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve with innovative measures that bring real benefits to the local people.
Ϧϣ ϰϔΘΧ ϡ1976 ϡΎϋ ϲѧϓϭ .ϥΎѧϤ˵ϋ ΔϨτϠδѧϟ ΔϴѧϠΒΠϟ Ϟγϼδѧϟ ϒϠΘѧΨϣ ϲѧϓ ϲѧοΎϤϟ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ εΎѧϋ
ϥΎѧϤϋ
ϻ Ϫϧ ϊϟΎτϟ ϦϤϳ Ϧϣϭ .ϡ1997 ϡΎϋ άϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔψϓΎΤϣ ϲϓ ΕΪϫΎθϣ Ϫϟ ϞΠδΗ Ϣϟ ΎѧϤϛ ˬήѧΠΤϟ ϝΎΒѧΟ ΔϠδѧϠγ
.ϡϮϴϟ ϰΘΣ έΎϔχ ϝΎΒΟ Ϣψόϣ ϲϓ ζϴόϳ ϝΰϳ
Ϧϣ ΔϋϮϤΠϣ ϝϭ βϴγ΄ΘΑ ϡ1985 ϡΎϋ ϲϓ ϥΎϤ˵ ϥΎϤϋ ϋ ΔϨτϠѧγ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ϥϮμѧϟ ΕϮѧτΨϟ ϰѧϟϭ ΫΎѧΨΗ ϢѧΗ
ϞΒѧΟ Ϧѧѧϋ ϥϼѧѧϋϹ ϢѧѧΗ ΚϴѧѧΣ ϡ1997 ϡΎѧѧϋ ϲѧѧϓ ϯήѧѧΧ ΔѧѧϣΎϫ ΕϮѧѧτΧ ΕάѧѧΨΗ ΎѧѧϤϛ .ήѧѧγϷ ϲѧѧϓ ΓΎΑήѧѧϤϟ έϮϤϨѧѧϟ
ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ δϣ ϦϴηΪΗ ϡΎόϟ βϔϧ ϲѧϓ ϢѧΗ ΎѧϤϛ .ΔϴѧόϴΒσ ΔϴѧϤΤϤϛ έΎѧϔχ ϝΎΒѧΟ Ϧѧϣ ˱˯˯ΰѧΟ ΰѧΟ ϞΜѧϤϳ ϱάѧϟ ϥΎΤϤѧγ
έϮϤϨϟ ξόΒΑ ϙΎδϣϹϭ ΔϴΨϓ ΕήϴϣΎϜϟΎΑ έϮϤϨϟ ήϳϮμΗϭ ΔϴϧΪϴϣ ΕΎΣϮδϣ ˯ήΟ· ϦϴΤϟ ϚϟΫ άϨѧϣ ϢѧΗ ΚϴѧΣ
ˬΔϴϋΎϨτλϻ έΎϤϗϷΎΑ Ύ˱ϴϴϜϠγϻ
ϜϠγϻ ΎϬσΎΒѧΗέ ϖϳήѧσ Ϧѧϋ ΔϴΎπѧϓ ΔѧΣϼϣ ΔѧϤψϧ ϰѧϠϋ ΔϳϮΘѧΤϣ ϕϮѧσ΄Α ΎϬϘϳϮѧτΗϭ
ϥϮϴΤϟ άϫ ϮΤϧ έΎψϧϷ ϪϴΟϮΗ ϲϓ ΪϋΎγϭ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΔϴΟϮϟϮϜϳ ϝϮΣ ΔϴγΎγ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ήѧϓϭ ϱάѧϟ ήѧϣϷ
.έΩΎϨϟ ϱήΒϟ
ϝΰϳ ϻ ήϣϷ ϥ ϻ· ˬήϤϨϟ ίήΑ ΕΎ˱ΌϳΰΟ ΔγέΩϭ ΔϴѧΌϴΒϟ ΔΣΎϴδѧϠϟ ΕέΩΎΒѧϣ ϲѧϟΎΤϟ ϞѧϤόϟ ϦϤπѧΘϳ ϦϴѧΣ ϲѧϓ
ϲϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ έϮϤϨѧϠϟ ΩΪѧόΗ ήѧΧ ϰѧϠϋ ΔѧψϓΎΤϤϟ ΎѧϧΩέ Ύѧϣ Ϋ· ΔΌϳήѧΠϟ ΕϮѧτΨϟ Ϧѧϣ ΪϳΰѧϤϟ ΫΎѧΨΗ ϰѧϟ· ΔѧΟΎΤΑ
έϮϤϨϠϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ Ϧϴϣ΄Η ϲϓ ωήγϹ ϲϫ ΕϮτΨϟ ϩάϫ Ϣϫ ϥ΄Α Ϛηϻϭ .ϡΎϋ ϪΟϮΑ ΔϘτϨѧϤϟ ϲѧϓ ΎѧϤΑέϭ ΔϨτϠδѧϟ
ΔϗϼΧ ήϴΑΪΗ ϊοϭ έΎΒΘϋϻ ϦϴόΑ άΧϷ ϊѧϣ ΔϴѧόϴΒτϟ ϥΎΤϤѧγ ϞΒѧΟ ΔϴѧϤΤϣ ϲѧϓ ΐΣΎμѧϤϟ ϲѧΎϴΣϷ ωϮϨѧΘϟϭ
.ϦϴϴϠΤϤϟ ϥΎϜδϟ ϰϠϋ ϊϔϨϟΎΑ ΩϮόΗ
26 2006
Taxonomy and nomenclature
Specific name: Panthera pardus, Lin-
naeus 1758. Subspecific name: Panthe-
ra pardus nimr, Hemprich & Ehrenberg
1830. Other names: nimr (Arabic th-
roughout Oman, including Katheeri and
Shuhi), aqeydhar (Sahil Al Jazir, Cen-
tral Region (Jenebi)), qeydhar (Jebali
and Mahri).
Domestic animals
Fig. 2. Leopard pair camera-trapped in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve (Photo A. Spalton). The peoples of Jabal Qara and Qamar
have traditionally herded cattle on the
mountain pastures as a form of live-
Today the best habitat for the leo- Prey species lihood (Reade et al. 1980). Numbers
pard is likely to be the Acacia domina- A provisional study by Muir-Wright were limited by natural factors such as
ted scrub of the southern escarpment of (1999) of 74 leopards scats collected in the absence of perennial water, the need
Jabal Samhan (Fig. 3) and the semi-de- Jabal Samhan NR found the following to provide food supplement (dried sardi-
sert of the interior and northern aspects 9 prey groups, given here in decreasing nes) during winter months and the pres-
of Jabals Samhan, Qara and Qamar that order of importance: - Arabian gazelle, ence of biting flies during the monsoon
lie outside the monsoon area. Here her- Nubian ibex, Cape hare Lepus capensis (Lawton 1978). These coupled with the
bivores including Nubian ibex Capra cheesmani, rock hyrax, birds, Indian management of stock on a tribal basis
ibex nubiana and Arabian gazelle Ga- crested porcupine Hystrix indica, Ethi- prevented numbers from exceeding the
zella gazella still survive and densities opian hedgehog Paraechinus aethio- carrying capacity of the Jabal. The peop-
of people and livestock are low (OACE, picus, small rodents and insects. Since les of Jabal Samhan traditionally raised
unpubl. data). The declaration of Jabal 1999 a further 200 scats have been col- camels and goats. The increased availa-
Samhan as a Nature Reserve has increa- lected and pooled with the existing 74 bility, after 1970, of services such as ve-
sed the level of protection of the leopard scats for a further analysis by the Uni- terinary care, subsidized feed, improved
and its habitat. versity of Aberdeen. Results have yet to water supplies and new sources of in-
The mountains of northern Oman be published. come that allowed the purchase of addi-
(Musandam and the Hajar range) must Ibex were the most frequently recor- tional animals catalysed rapid increases
today be considered to be marginal ded ungulate during three years of ca- in livestock numbers and particularly in
habitat for the leopard. Although the mera trapping work of the Arabian Le- numbers of camels (Zaroug 1983). The
Arabian tahr is still relatively common opard Survey in Jabal Samhan (Fig. 4) . main perceived problem is the intrusion
in the Hajar mountains (Insall 1999) They were found throughout the wadis of camels into cattle grazing areas, not
other herbivores, particularly the ga- and high plateau but were not recorded just seasonally but throughout the year
zelle, have gone from many areas. Hy- on the face of the southern escarpment (Morris 1986). While cattle and goats
raxes are not found in northern Oman (Spalton et al. 2006). Ibex are also pre- still tend to be corralled at night time,
and thus medium sized prey species are sent in the dry areas of Jabal Qara and camels are not and are thus on the jabal
virtually absent. Over-browsing and Qamar (MRMEWR, unpublished re- year round and 24 hours a day. During
grazing by goats and feral donkeys has cords). However, nothing is known of the monsoon cattle are corralled during
degraded the vegetation as has clearing any population trend. Gazelle were also daytime, because of biting flies, and
for houses and road building in recent recorded in Jabal Samhan although only thus are grazed and watered at night.
years (Ghazanfar 1999). on the high plateau. Hyrax, porcupine Sale in Reade et al. (1980) reported,
The only protected area within the and hedgehog were recorded in Samhan “…leopards do kill domestic stock and
range of existing leopard populations and except for hedgehog have also been are thus a menace to pastoral people…”.
is Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve (NR). camera-trapped in Jabal Qamar. Hyrax This is likely to be the case and many, if
Declared by Royal Decree in 1997 it co- colonies are seen throughout the Dhofar not most, people consider the leopards
vers 4,500 km2. Rangers of the Ministry mountains in spite of the fact that they a threat to their domestic stock. Howe-
of Regional Municipalities, Environ- are still hunted for their meat in Jabals ver, nothing is known of the frequency
ment & Water Resources (MRMEWR) Qara and Qamar (OACE, unpubl. data). that leopard actually take livestock. The
operate within the reserve. Arabian red-legged partridge Alectoris likelihood of livestock predation is gre-
28 2006
atest in Jabals Qara and Qamar where
camera trapping and satellite tracking
has shown leopard ranging close to sett-
lements and in areas of high density of
domestic stock (OACE, unpubl. data).
In 2001 and 2002 local people reported
leopard to have killed camels in an area
of Jabal Qamar (A. S. Bait Said, unpubl.
data). Camera trapping in the same area
in 2002 proved that leopards were inde-
ed present as were caracal Caracal ca-
racal schmitzi, striped hyaena Hyaena
hyaena sultana and Arabian wolf Canis
lupus arabs (OACE, unpubl. data). In
Jabal Samhan there was no evidence of
domestic species in the diet of the leo-
pard (Muir-Wright 1999).
Legal status
In Oman the leopard is protected from
hunting and capture (Ministerial De- Fig. 3. Woodland habitat of the Dhofar mountains (Photo A. Spalton).
cision 101/02, Royal Decrees 111/96,
75/98, 114/2001 & 6/2003). Under Ro-
yal Decree 6/2003 the penalty for hun- will on occasions take domestic animals. re is a need to manage the activities of
ting or capture of leopard, an Appendix The frequency of such livestock killing frankincense harvesters in the reserve.
1 species, is imprisonment for not less is unknown and in many cases the leo- Public awareness programmes have
than six months and not exceeding 5 pard is probably often blamed for kills been carried out by MRMEWR and
years and a fine not less than R.O. 1000 by wolves and more often for livestock OACE locally and nationally. At a na-
and not exceeding R.O. 5000. losses where no clear cause can be iden- tional level numerous brochures, book-
Of the key prey species of the leo- tified. Nevertheless the general and wi- lets and other materials have been pub-
pard the Arabian gazelle and Nubian dely held view is that the leopards prey lished and distributed. In 2001 and 2002
ibex are all also on Appendix 1 of Roy- upon domestic stock. The knowledge MRMEWR public relations staff accom-
al Decree 6/2003. All other species are that the leopard is protected has lead panied by rangers visited six schools in
also protected by law and are listed on local people to request compensation the areas around Jabal Samhan Nature
Appendix 2 of Royal Decree 6/2003. from the concerned government bodies. Reserve and in Jabals Qara and Qamar.
Red List status is as follows: Glo- There is no scheme for compensation at At each school they gave presentations
bal: CR C2a (IUCN 1996a). National: this time and this issue is itself a source to the children on the wildlife of Dhofar
CR D, C2a (Terrestrial Mammal Group, of potential conflict. The recruitment of with particular emphasis on the leopard.
Directorate General of Nature Conser- rangers from areas within the range of Similar presentations have been made
vation, MRMEWR). the leopard by the MRMEWR has hel- to two gatherings of local people in Ja-
Protection status: Global: CITES ped gained some support for conserva- bal Qamar. A booklet on Jabal Samhan
Appendix 1 (IUCN 1996b). tion efforts. The establishment of Jabal Nature Reserve was printed in 2001 and
Samhan Nature Reserve has led to little distributed to the general public.
Conflicts and public awareness conflict in resource use since few local The Office of the Adviser for Con-
The primary conflict is that the leopard people enter the reserve. However, the- servation of the Environment (OACE)
produced a short video documentary,
a booklet, a poster and six information
Table 1. Specimens of Arabian leopard kept at the Oman Natural History Museum.
panels on the work of the Arabian Le-
opard Survey in Jabal Samhan Nature
Accession No. Description Origin
Reserve. This material was exhibited at
ONHM 135 Complete Musandam 1981 a forum on Desertification held in Sa-
ONHM 503 Complete Jabal Samhan 1985 lalah in March 2002 and at the annual
ONHM 1064 Skull Musandam 1980 Khareef Festival since 2004.
ONHM 1065 Skull Musandam 1980
ONHM 1288 Complete Bait Barakah Breeding Centre 1989
People and institutions
ONHM 1523 Complete Bait Barakah Breeding Centre 1990
ONHM 2295 Skull Dhofar 1994
The primary authority for conservation
ONHM 2756 Complete Bait Barakah Breeding Centre 1997 of Oman’s wildlife is the MRMEWR,
ONHM 3299 Complete Jabal Samhan 2002 and in particular the Directorate Gene-
ral for Nature Conservation in Muscat
30 2006
Recommendations
Survey & Research. To continue with
current programs (identified above) for
survey and research including investi-
gations into livestock killing by large
carnivores.
Implementation of Management Plan.
To strengthen efforts to implement the
management plan for Jabal Samhan Na-
ture Reserve.
Public Education Campaigns. To con-
tinue with these in schools and public
forums.
Social Survey. In order to understand
what the leopard means to the local peo-
ple of Dhofar it is recommended that a
survey be carried out within leopard
range areas to determine attitudes and
needs of local human communities. Fig. 5. Education to engage young Omanis in leopard conservation (Photo A. Spalton).
Captive Breeding. Maintain the capti-
ve group and encourage new breeding
loans with collections outside Oman in results of the Arabian leopard survey. In Ghazanfar S. A. 1999. A review of the flo-
order to avoid inbreeding and to broa- The Natural History of Oman: A Fest- ra of Oman. In The Natural History of
den the genetic base. schrift for Michael Gallagher., ed. M. Oman: A Festschrift for Michael Gal-
Fisher, S. A. Ghazanfar & J. A. Spalton. lagher., ed. M. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar
Collaboration with neighbouring range
147-160. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. & J.A. Spalton. 29-63. Backhuys Publis-
states. To investigate the possibility of Spalton J. A., Al Hikmani H.M., Willis D. hers, Leiden.
surveying areas within Yemen close to and Bait Said A. S. 2006. Critically En- Harrison D. L. 1968. The Mammals of Ara-
the Oman – Yemen border and give as- dangered Arabian leopards Panthera bia. Vol. 2 Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Hy-
sistance, where appropriate, to conser- pardus nimr persist in the Jabal Samhan racoidea. Benn, London.
vation authorities in Yemen. Nature Reserve, Oman. Oryx 40, 287- Insall D. 1999. A Review of the Ecology and
Regional Conservation Initiatives. To 294. Conservation Status of the Arabian Tahr.
support efforts to develop a Strategic Usher-Smith J. H. 1983. Report on the two In The Natural History of Oman: A Fest-
Plan for the conservation of the spe- leopard expeditions to the Musandam schrift for Michael Gallagher., ed. M.
Province mounted in 1983. Report to the Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar & J.A. Spalton.
cies.
Government of Oman. 129-146. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden.
Usher-Smith J. H. 1985. Report on the Sa- IUCN 1996a. 1996 IUCN Red List of Thre-
Literature and reports lalah leopard expeditions between Janu- atened Animals Eds. Baillie, J & Groom-
Anon. 1997. Action Plan for the Conser- ary 16th and May 5th 1985. Report to the bridge, B.
vation of the Arabian Leopard Panthera Government of Oman. IUCN 1996b. Wild Cats: Status Survey and
pardus nimr in the Sultanate of Oman. Conservation Action Plan. Compiled and
Terrestrial Mammal Group, Directorate References edited by Kristin Nowell & Peter Jack-
General of Nature Conservation, Oman. Al Ansari A., Al-Khayat A., Spalton J. A., son and the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist
Daly, R. H. 1990. Arabian leopard Panthe- Al-Dafry K. and Al-Zadjali S. 2005. Group, 382 pp.
ra pardus nimr. In Report of Cat Group The molecular genetics of the Arabi- Jongbloed M. 2001. Working for Wildlife.
meeting in Rome at the International an leopard: A preliminary study. Poster Barkers Trident Communications. Lond.
Theriological Congress, 1989. Cat News presented at the joint annual meeting of 96 pp.
12(4). the International Society for Molecular Lawton R. M. 1978. A reconnaissance sur-
Fisher, M. F. 1999. The Conservation Status Biology and Evolution and the Genetics vey of the Jabal Qara grazing land eco-
of the Terrestrial Mammals of Oman: A Society of Australasia, New Zealand, 19- system, with particular reference to the
Preliminary Red List. In The Natural His- 23 June, 2005. impact of development. Report to the
tory of Oman: A Festschrift for Michael Anonymous 1997. Action Plan for the Con- Sultanate of Oman. Ministry of Overseas
Gallagher., ed. M. Fisher, S.A. Ghazan- servation of the Arabian Leopard Panthe- Development, U.K. 27 pp.
far & J. A. Spalton. 109-127. Backhuys ra pardus nimr in the Sultanate of Oman. Morris M. J. 1986. Land Use Plan : Jabal
Publishers, Leiden Terrestrial Mammal Group, Directorate Qara. Pastoral Management Study 1986.
Harrison D. L. 1980. The Mammals obtai- General of Nature Conservation, Oman. Report from the Planning Committee
ned in Dhofar by the 1977 Oman Flora CBSG 2002. Conservation Assessment and for Development & Environment in the
and Fauna Survey. J. Oman Studies Spe- Management Plan (CAMP) for the Thre- Southern Region.
cial Report No. 2: The Scientific Results atened Fauna of Arabia’s Mountain Ha- Muir-Wright M. T. 1999. The diet of the
of the Oman Flora and Fauna Survey bitat, 9-14 February 2002. highly endangered Arabian leopard (Pan-
1977 (Dhofar), 387-397. Gasperetti J., Harrison D. L. and Büttiker W. thera pardus nimr). B.Sc. Hons. Thesis:
Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999. The sta- 1986. The Carnivora of Arabia. Fauna of University of Aberdeen.
tus of the Arabian leopard in Oman: First Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461 Munton P. N. 1985. The Ecology of the Ara-
32 2006
Status of the Arabian Leopard in United Arab Emirates
Experts estimate the wild population of Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) in the Northern Emirates
and Musandam Peninsula to be as low as 5–10; however, the UAE does not have the area capacity to carry a
population larger than 10-20 animals. In recent historic times, the caracal is thought to have become an apex
predator in areas not used by the Arabian leopard. Its predominance in many wadis may therefore serve as
an indicator for declined/extinct leopard populations. Very little is known about the primary and marginal
habitats of the Arabian leopard in the UAE, assessment is based on scattered reports and knowledge of
leopards from other regions. It is thought that the UAE provides a corridor for leopards moving between
the Musandam Peninsula and the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, although the leopard may be extinct from
the Al Hajar Mountains. Accurate data regarding the distribution, ecology and behaviour of the Arabian
leopard will enable suitable protected areas to be planned and proposed.
ϪΒѧηϭ ΔϴϟΎϤθѧϟ ΕέΎѧϣϻ ϲѧϓ ΔѧϳήΒϟ ϲѧϓ (ήѧϤϧ αϭΩέΎѧΑ ήΜϧΎѧΑ) ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΩΪϋ ˯ήΒΨϟ έΪϘϳ
ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ΕΎѧΌϴΑ ήѧΒΘόΗϭ ˬ ήѧϤϧ 10-5 ίϭΎѧΠΘϳ ϻ ΚѧϴΤΑ ΔπϔΨϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔϴΑήόϟ ΓήϳΰΠϟ
άѧϫ ΔѧόϴΒσ ΐδΣ ϚϟΫϭ ϥϮϴΣ 20-10 Ϧϣ ήΜϛ ϞϤΤΘΗ ϻ ΚϴΤΑ ΔΣΎδϤϟ ΓΩϭΪΤϣ ΕέΎϣϻ ΔϟϭΩ
.(ώϟΎΑ ήϛΫ ϞϜϟ ϊΑήϣ ϮϠϴϛ 15 ) ΓήϴΒϛ ΕΎΣΎδϣ ϰϟ ΝΎΘΤϳ ϱάϟϭ ϱήΒϟ ϥϮϴΤϟ
ΎѧϬϴϓ ζϴѧόϳ ϥΎѧϛ ϲѧΘϟ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ ϲϓ ϲδϴέ αήΘϔϤϛ ϖηϮϟ ϥϮϴΣ έϮϬχ ΪΑ ΓήϴΧϻ ΕϮϨδϟ ϲϓϭ
ϪѧΗΎΌϴΑ Ϧѧϣ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ νήѧϘϧ· ϭ ˯ΎѧϔΘΧ ϰѧϠϋ ήѧηΆϤϛ ΓήϫΎѧψϟ ϩάϫ άΧΆΗ ΚϴΣ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ
ήѧϤϨϠϟ ΓέΩΎѧϨϟϭ ΔϴѧγΎγϻ ϦσϮѧϤϟ Ϧѧϋ ΕΎϣϮϠόϤϟ ϥΎϛ ϯήΧ ΔϴΣΎϧ Ϧϣϭ ΔϴΣΎϧ Ϧϣ άϫ ˬΔϴόϴΒτϟ
.ϯήΧ ϖσΎϨϣ ϲϓ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ ϩάϫ Ϧϋ ήϓϮΗ Ύϣ ϰϟ ˬ ΔΤϴΤη ήΒΘόΗ ϲΑήόϟ
Ϧѧϣ ϞѧϘΘϨΗ ϲΘϟ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϠϟ ήϤϣ ϖσΎϨϣ ΕέΎϣϹ ΔϟϭΪϟ ήΠΤϟ ϝΎΒΟ ϲϓ ΔόϗϮϟ ϖσΎϨϤϟ ήΒΘόΗϭ
.ϥΎϤϋ ϲϓ ήΠΤϟ ϝΎΒΟ ΔϴϘΑϭ ϡΪϨδϣ ΓήϳΰΟ ϪΒη
ϊѧϳίϮΗ ) Ϧѧϋ ΔѧϘϴϗΩ ΕΎѧϣϮϠόϣ ΓΪѧϋΎϗ ΩΎѧΠϳ ϢѧϬϤϟ Ϧѧϣ ϪѧϧΈϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ϰѧϠϋ υΎѧϔΤϟ ϞѧΟ Ϧϣϭ
ϥϮѧѧϴΤϟ άѧѧϫ ΕΎϴϛϮϠѧѧγ ϰѧѧϟ ΔϓΎѧѧοϻΎΑ ΎѧѧϬϴϓ ΖѧѧΒόϟ ϲѧѧΘϟ ΔѧѧϴΌϴΒϟ Ϣπѧѧϧϭ ΔѧѧϳήΒϟ ϲѧѧϓ ϲѧѧΑήόϟ ήѧѧϤϨϟ
.ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϠϟ ΔΤϟΎλ ΔϴϤΤϣ ϖσΎϨϣ ˯Ύθϧ·ϭ ΡήΘϗϹ ιήϔϟ ϴΘϴγ ΎϤϣ ˬϝϮΠΨϟ
Fig. 2 and 3. Photos taken in Wadi Zeebat in 2001. The signs are thought to be leopard scraping (left) and leopard faeces (right;
Photos R. Llewellyn-Smith).
34 2006
Threats
The general consensus amongst locals
and experts is that the population is de-
creasing at an unsustainable rate. Live
animal trade, trade for parts (pelts) and
indiscriminate hunting are thought to
have the greatest effect on population
numbers (CBSG 2000). Direct persecu-
tion due to predator-livestock conflicts
occurs and local farmers and shepherds
are also known to be of the opinion that
Fig. 4. Construction of roads allows access to Fig. 5. Widespread farming now occurs in
any predator threatening their livestock remote areas (Photo J. Edmonds). the mountains (Photo J. Edmonds).
will be shot.
Competition with man in early
years was restricted by natural factors Local residents are known to have The Shumayliya Mountains run
such as limited perennial water and in- limited interest and awareness of the from north to south along the east coast
ability to easily access wadis containing natural history of the UAE. A popu- of the UAE, covering an approximate
water. Farming was limited to the car- lar pastime enjoyed by both locals and area of 3,200km2. Scrapings, tracks and
rying capacity of the natural environ- expatriates in the region is “wadi-” and kills have all been found in mountain
ment. Recent years have witnessed a “dune-bashing”, which requires careful wadis with permanent water (CBSG
rapid increase in development through- attention. Aside from the impact of noise 2000, R. Llewellyn-Smith, pers. comm.
out the UAE as a result of new wealth and disturbance on the habitat, problems and D. Egan, pers. comm.).
generated mainly from the discovery such as plant and animal destruction, Not enough is known about the hab-
of major oil resources. Construction of erosion and pollution have a negative itat of the Arabian leopard to accurately
new roads (Fig. 4) and highways across impact on these fragile habitats. identify primary or marginal habitat in
the country and expansion of the many the UAE, assessment is based on scat-
small villages scattered throughout the Habitat tered reports and knowledge of leopards
mountains has resulted in important Leopards have a wide habitat tolerance from other regions. It is thought that
habitat fragmentation for many species. but are generally associated with rocky the UAE provides a corridor for leop-
Improved availability of resources such hills and mountainous ranges (Fig. 9 and ards moving between the Musandam
as pumped water has led to increased 10; Skinner & Smithers 1990, Harrison Peninsula and the Al Hajar Mountains
cultivation (Fig. 5) and overexploita- & Bates 1991). They are said to seldom of Oman (CBSG 2000). However, it
tion of limited wadi resources. Also of venture onto the open plains (Harrison should be noted that the leopard is con-
enormous impact to the loss of viable & Bates 1991) however; an individual sidered to be absent from the massive
habitat is extensive quarrying of the trapped in the early 1990’s was in fact Al Hajar Mountain range in northern
Shumayliya Mountains (Fig. 6) for the caught on the open plains near Manama Oman (Spalton et al. 2006) and the ex-
construction of multiple off-shore resi- (4 in Fig. 1). Leopards are believed to istence of a corridor today would there-
dential and pleasure islands along the be absent from the true desert of the fore be redundant.
UAE coastline. central Arabian peninsula (Harrison & Whilst the leopard itself is said to be
Hunting and increased livestock Bates 1991). independent of water and able to obtain
numbers have resulted in a decrease
of natural prey species, such as Ara-
bian tahr Hemitragus jayakari. During
a survey conducted by the BCEAW at
perennial water holes of various wadi
branches in the Shumayliya Mountains
(B in Fig. 1) it was confirmed that Ara-
bian tahr do still occur in the region but
in very limited numbers. The survey,
which was conducted between June
2000 and January 2002, included cam-
era trapping, behavioural observations
and faecal sample collection. During the
18-month period only thirteen photo-
graphs of tahr were obtained (Ruddock
2002, Ruddock & Smith 2002). There
were five live animal sightings (Rud- Fig. 6. Destructive impact of quarrying for the construction of multiple off-shore residential
dock & Smith 2002) one of which was and pleasure islands along the UAE coastline. This quarry is situated near Wadi Shawka
photographed (Fig. 7). (Photo J. Edmonds).
36 2006
teworthy with regard to these surveys is
that many locals refer to any large cat or
canid as “nimr” raising the question of
data authenticity (CBSG 2000, personal
observation). Stuart & Stuart (1995)
also expressed doubt about validity of
data provided in their survey report.
Methods used for animal manage-
ment by locals vary considerably from
tribe to tribe. Many goat herds are free
ranging, although in some areas, par-
ticularly the larger villages, the herds
are sometimes kept in primitive kraals
(fenced area). A small number of far-
mers enclose newborn goats until they
are old enough to keep up with the main
herd. Research in the Ru’us al Jibal area
of Ras al Kaimah revealed that local tri-
besmen employ “herdsmen” to live in Fig. 12. Goats are competing with tahr for grazing ground (camera trap picture of BCEAW).
the mountain settlements tending the
goatherds (Jongbloed 2001). forced it would cover many issues of as they are devils”.
wildlife conservation and protection. Moaz Sawaf recounted a leopard
Legal Status There are no CITES laws prohibiting sighting on June 13, 1996 by a local
• The Arabian leopard is classified as international trade in any of the ende- tribesman in Wadi Zeebat (Jongbloed
Critically Endangered (CR) in the mic prey species i.e. gazelle and tahr. 2001). As a result of contact with Moaz
global IUCN Red List. The Arabian gazelle was included in and the ALT; the tribesman did not shoot
• Under the CITES (Convention on In- Appendix 3 of CITES in April 1976 but the male but rather watched it through
ternational Trade in Endangered Spe- was deleted from this category the fol- binoculars for ten minutes. His parting
cies) treaty it has been listed in Ap- lowing year in July. comment to Moaz was that he would
pendix 1 since 1975 and is therefore not mention this incident to his friends
protected from international trade The only UAE hunting law that exists as they may arrange a hunting party in
through UAE custom points. is the Federal Decree – Law No. 9 for order to try to shoot the leopard.
• Federal Law 11, implemented on 26 1983; Regulating the Hunting of Birds During the survey conducted on be-
April 2003, protects all CITES lis- and Animals. The law states the follo- half of Chris and Tilde Stuart by Moaz
ted species. This law does not apply wing: “This law protects certain species Sawaf in 1995 it was revealed that only
for species or trade within a country. of birds, deer of various kinds, wild 50 % of the farmers knew of any laws
Implementation of animal trade laws cows, hares and Mastigures (spiny- banning hunting. Of the farmers inter-
within the UAE is not consistently tailed lizards).” Gazelle and tahr could
enforced. There is no federal legisla- be classified into one of the categories
tion officially protecting the Arabian mentioned; however, confirmation has
leopard within the country. not been possible.
• Federal Law no. 24 of 1999 Concer-
ning Protection and Development of Conflicts and public awareness
the Environment has a single article The leopard will on occasion prey on
(Article 12) that specifically deals domestic livestock (Gasperetti et al.
with animals and mentions that ow- 1985). There are no confirmed records
ning, hunting, transporting and selling of the frequency of such killings in the
of species referred to in “the list” is UAE; however, the leopard or “nimr” is
forbidden or is subject to licence/per- most often blamed for the kill. As menti-
mit from the competent authorities. oned previously, a survey amongst local
The list of species protected under farmers revealed that less than half the
this law has yet to be compiled. people questioned had ever even seen a
• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leopard, however, nearly all the farmers
agreement is an agreement drafted for said that they would not hesitate to kill
the preservation of wildlife and the any predator they encountered. Field
conservation of its natural habitats notes by R. Llewellyn-Smith in 1999
in the Arab Gulf states of the GCC. (Jongbloed 2001), describe the senti- Fig. 11. Rock hyrax, a potential prey spe-
The agreement has yet to be signed ment of two mountain residents as “re- cies for leopards in the Jebel Hafit (Photo
and implemented; however, once en- lieved that there were no leopards left, J. Edmonds).
38 2006
the thesis is threefold 1) to establish the Inventory rity. 2005. Conservation Workshop for
normal reproductive physiology of the There are no museum collections known the Fauna of Arabia. Breeding Centre for
Arabian leopard, 2) to address infertility within the UAE. Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah,
in the captive Arabian leopard in terms 22 animals are kept in captivity: 20 UAE.
Environment and Protected Areas Autho-
of incidence and cause and 3) to assess (12 M, 8 F) at BCEAW, Sharjah, and 2
rity. 2006. Conservation Workshop for
the potential use of assisted reproducti- (1 M, 1 F) at Nakhlee Estate, Dubai. the Fauna of Arabia. Breeding Centre for
ve physiology in captive breeding inclu- Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah,
ding semen banking and control of the Acknowledgements UAE.
oestrus cycle for artificial insemination, The authors would like to gratefully ack- Gasperetti J., Harrison D. L. and Büttiker W.
nowledge the support of His Highness Dr.
oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. 1985. The Carnivora of Arabia: Fauna of
Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi, Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461.
Data collection has now been comple- Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE
ted and the results compiled (de Haas Harrison D. L. 1971. Observations on some
Supreme Council. Thanks are extended to notable Arabian mammals, with descrip-
van Dorsser 2006). Dr. David Mallon and Dr. Urs Breitenmoser tion of a new gerbil (Gerbillus, Rodentia,
for their guidance in preparing this report. Cricetidae). Mammalia 35, 111-125.
Recommendations Harrison D. L. and Bates, P. J. J. The Mam-
Knowledge of the distribution, popu- References mals of Arabia. 1991. Second edition.
lation size, biology/ecology and beha- CBSG Conservation Breeding Specialist Lakeside Printing, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
viour of the Arabian leopard is still very Group (SSC/IUCN). 2000. Conserva- Pages 167-170.
tion Assessment and Management Plan
limited. Further research is essential in Hellyer P. 1993. A summary of recent lynx
for Arabian Carnivores and Population and leopard sightings in the northern
order to plan effective conservation ap- and Habitat Viability Assessment for the
proaches. Accurate data regarding the UAE and Musandam. Tribulus 3, 23-24.
Arabian Leopard and Tahr: Final Report. Jongbloed M. 2001. Working for Wildlife.
distribution, ecology and behaviour of Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Barkers Trident Communications, Lon-
the Arabian leopard will enable protec- Apple Valley, MN. don, UK. 96 pp.
ted areas to be planned and proposed. CBSG Conservation Breeding Specialist Muir-Wright M. T. 1999. The Diet of the
Correct management and represen- Group (SSC/IUCN). 2001. Conservati- Highly Endangered Arabian Leopard
tation of the captive breeding program- on Assessment and Management Plan (Panthera pardus nimr). Thesis for BSc
me already established will ensure an (CAMP) for the Arabian Leopard and Honors Zoology degree from the Univer-
Arabian Ungulates with Population and
important genetic “reservoir” that can sity of Aberdeen, UK.
Habitat Viability Assessments for the Nowak R. M. and Paradiso J. L. 1993.
be used to supplement and improve in- Arabian Leopard, Arabian Oryx, and
creasingly threatened wild populations Walker’s Mammals of the World. 4th
Tahr reports. Arabian leopard: Action Edition. Volume 2. The John Hopkins
throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Of Plan and Reports. Conservation Breeding University Press, Baltimore and London.
extreme importance is improved coo- Specialist Group, Apple Valley, MN. Pp 1089-1091.
peration between the range states of the CITES. 1998. Checklist of CITES Species. Ruddock L. 2002. Report on fieldwork in
peninsula to provide the largest possible CITES Secretariat, Geneva World Con- the Shumayliyah Mountains, UAE for
founder population on which to build servation Monitoring Centre, Geneva, the period January 2001 to January 2002.
the captive genetic pool. Switzerland. Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian
De Haas van Dorsser F. J. 2006. Reproduc-
Improved legislation and enforce- Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE.
tion in the Arabian leopard. PhD Disserta- Ruddock L and Smith M. 2002. Arabian
ment protecting the leopard and its tion, University of Cambridge, Newnham
prey species from trade (national and tahr: Disappearing from the Hajar Moun-
College, Cambridge, UK. tains of the UAE? Breeding Centre for
international) will ensure both long and Drew C. 2000. The distribution of the Cape Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah,
short-term conservation strategies are Hare, Lepus capensis, in Abu Dhabi Emi- UAE.
successful. rates, United Arab Emirates. Zoology in Skinner J. D. and Smithers R. H. N. 1990.
According to Ogada et al. (2003) the Middle East 20:15-20. The Mammals of the Southern African
traditional livestock husbandry practices Environment and Protected Areas Authority. Subregion. University of Pretoria, Preto-
similar to those used in Kenya can make 2002. Conservation Assessment and Ma- ria, Republic of South Africa.
nagement Plan for the Threatened Fauna
an important contribution to carnivore Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999 The Status
of Arabia’s Mountain Habitat. Arabian of the Arabian Leopard in Oman: First
conservation. Livestock that is closely leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) Group
herded by day and corralled at night are Results of the Arabian Leopard Survey.
Report. Breeding Centre for Endangered In The Natural History of Oman: A Fest-
less likely to be killed by wild predators. Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE. schrift for Michael Gallagher, Backhuys
Fewer predators would be killed where Environment and Protected Areas Autho- Publishers, Leiden. Pp 109-127.
fewer predators kill livestock (Ogada et rity. 2003. Conservation Workshop for Stuart C and Stuart T. 1995. Minute to Mid-
al. 2003). Implementation of low cost the Fauna of Arabia. Breeding Centre for night. Report of a scientific survey on the
herding practices among local farmers Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, status of indigenous wildlife in the Uni-
and education regarding the benefits UAE. ted Arab Emirates executed on behalf of
Environment and Protected Areas Autho-
of herding and corralling of livestock the Arabian Leopard Trust.
rity. 2004. Conservation Workshop for Stuart C. and Stuart T. 1995. Mammals of
would contribute to reducing human- the Fauna of Arabia. Breeding Centre for
predator conflicts. the UAE Mountains. Tribulus 5.2, 20-21.
Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, Thesiger W. 1949. A Further Journey across
UAE. the Empty Quarter. The Geographical
Environment and Protected Areas Autho- Journal 113, 21-44.
The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is highly endangered and captive breeding has therefore be-
come an essential component of conservation for this species. The Captive Breeding Program has been
operating in its present form since 1999 although the first Arabian leopards registered in the studbook were
caught in 1985. During the 1990’s additional institutions within the range states began to acquire leopards
and the need for a coordinated breeding program became a priority. The Regional Studbook was first pub-
lished in its present form in 1999 and has been followed by several Conservation Assessment and Manage-
ment workshops through which improved regional cooperation has been initiated. A large proportion of
the captive population is wild caught, however, only half of these have produced offspring in captivity. To
maximise genetic diversity in the captive population, it is essential that the unrepresented founder animals
contribute to the breeding program.
Ϧѧѧϣ ήѧѧγϷ ϲѧѧϓ ΓΪѧѧΟϮΘϤϟ ΕΎѧѧϋϮϤΠϤϟ ήѧѧΒΘόΗϭ ήѧѧϴΒϛ ϞϜθѧѧΑ νήѧѧϘϧϻ ήѧѧτΨϟ νήѧѧόϣ ϲѧѧΑήόϟ ήѧѧϤϨϟ
.ωϮϨϟ άϫ ϰϠϋ υΎϔΤϟ ΞϣΎϧήΒϟ ΔϴγΎγϷ ΕΎϧϮϜϤϟ
ϲѧϓ ϪϠϴΠδѧΗ ϢѧΗ ϲѧΑήϋ ήѧϤϧ ϝϭ ϥ΄ѧΑ ˱ΎѧϤϠϋ ˬϡ1999 ϡΎѧϋ άѧϨϣ ήγϷ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ έΎΜϛ· ΞϣΎϧήΑ ΪΑ
ΔѧϘτϨϤϟ ϲѧϓ ΔѧϴϨόϣ ΕΎδѧγΆϣ ΕΪѧΑ ΕΎϨϴόδѧΘϟ ϲѧϓϭ .1985 ϡΎѧϋ ϲϓ ϥΎϛ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϠϟ ΏΎδϧϷ ΏΎΘϛ
˯ΪѧѧΒϟ ϲѧѧϓ ϡΎѧѧϤΘϫϻΎΑ ˬΔϗέΎθѧѧϟ ϲѧѧϓ ˬνήϘϧϻΎѧѧΑ ΓΩΪѧѧϬϤϟ ΕΎѧѧϧϮϴΤϟ έΎѧѧΜϛϹ ΰѧѧϛήϣ Ϛѧѧϟ1Ϋ ϰѧѧϠϋ ϝΎѧѧΜϣϭ
ϦϴѧΑ ϖδѧϨϣ ϞϜθѧΑ ήѧγϷ ϲѧϓ έΎѧΜϛϹ ΞϣΎѧϧήΑ ϊѧοϭ ϰϟ· ΔΟΎΤϟ ΖΤΒλϭ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ έΎΜϛ· ΞϣήΒΑ
.ΔϘτϨϤϟ ϲϓ ΕΎδγΆϤϟ ϒϠΘΨϣ
ϞѧϤϋ εέϭ ΓΪѧϋ ϪѧΘΒϘϋ ϡ1999 ϡΎѧϋ ϲϟΎѧΤϟ ϪϠϜθѧΑ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ˬϥϮѧϴΤϟ άѧϫ ΏΎδϧ ΏΎΘϛ ήθϧ ϢΗ
ςϴθѧϨΗ ϲѧϓ ϢϬѧγ Ύѧϣ ˬ(CAMP) ϚϟάѧΑ ΔλΎΨϟ ϊϳέΎθϤϟ ΓέΩ· ΔτΧϭ ήϤϨϟ ϰϠϋ υΎϔΤϟ ΞϣήΑ ϢϴϴϘΘϟ
.ϲϤϴϠϗϹ ϯϮΘδϤϟ ϰϠϋ ϥϭΎόΘϟ ΞϣήΑ ϒϴΜϜΗϭ
Introduction
As extinction rates accelerate, methods which was once part of its historical cess for reintroduction is a long one that
for preserving critically endangered range but from which it has become should be prepared well in advance of
species such as the Arabian leopard extinct (IUCN 1995). The concept of any potential releases (U. Breitenmoser,
have to be initiated. One such method reintroduction of captive-born animals pers. comm.). It is also important that
is captive breeding, which in the case of into the wild is, however, constantly biodiversity conservation is initiated
the Arabian leopard has thus far proven under review as successful reintroduc- prior to the implementation of reintro-
both a successful and invaluable con- tions are few and far between. Success duction programmes (IUCN 1995).
servation aide. rates remain below 50 % despite exten- The captive breeding programme
Captive breeding programmes ensu- sive research into factors influencing for Arabian leopard focuses on ensu-
re the ex situ establishment of healthy success (Tenhumberg et al. 2004). The ring a genetically sound population that
“safety net” populations, thereby remo- problems faced are immense and may closely resembles the wild population.
ving some of the pressure to breed suc- impose considerable biological costs on Co-operation between regional institu-
cessfully in the wild. Captive breeding the populations. tes holding Arabian leopards is essential
programmes also potentially ensure Many experts are of the opinion that to ensure that genes from all the wild
species survival as human expansion the Arabian leopard will not survive in caught animals are represented within
continues to threaten and fragment ha- the wild without the reintroduction of the population. It is also essential that
bitats. animals from captive breeding program- international institutes are included in
Reintroduction is often the ultima- mes (IUCN/SSC Conservation Bree- the captive breeding programme for
te goal of captive breeding program- ding Specialist Group CBSG 2000). It the Arabian leopard to further expand
mes. “Reintroduction” is defined as an is therefore of utmost urgency that re- growth potential within the population.
attempt to establish a viable free-ran- commendations are initiated and plans
ging population of a species in an area discussed for implementation. The pro-
40 2006
History of the Captive Population thorities from Saudi Arabia and Sharjah,
Although Harrison (1968) records a wild which has led to the transfer of several
caught male “Tedi” in Tel Aviv Zoo in leopards from Ta’if to the UAE.
approximately 1945 and a second wild Building on the relationship initiated
caught female that died in London Zoo by Christian Gross in 1995, cooperation
on the 19th of April 1955, a co-ordi- agreements between the EPA, Yemen,
nated captive breeding programme for and the EPAA, Sharjah, were signed for
the Arabian leopard was not established collaborative conservation and research
until 1985. Four leopards, two males efforts at the 2001 annual CAMP work-
and two females, were caught on Jebel shop. One of the projects included in
Samhan in the Dhofar region of south- the cooperation agreement was to im-
ern Oman and transferred to the Oman prove the health status of the animals in
Mammal Breeding Centre (OMBC). the two main zoos in Sana’a and Ta’iz.
The OMBC, situated near Muscat, This project included numerous trips to
is the private centre of His Majesty Sul- Yemen, providing veterinary health and
tan Qaboos Bin Said. One of the two husbandry advice and basic medical
captured males died from trauma during supplies. Training programmes for the
capture and translocation, the remaining Sana’a Zoo staff at the BCEAW were
three animals were incorporated into a initiated during 2004. Basing their man-
captive breeding programme. It was not agement techniques on those used at the
until May 1990 that any of the cubs born BCEAW, Sana’a Zoo reported their first Fig. 1. Leopard Nesra at the Breeding
were successfully reared by the dam. ever mother-reared leopard cubs. The Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife,
Sharjah, UAE. She is the oldest leopard
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), cubs born in October 2004 are also the
recorded in the Arabian leopard Studbook
captive breeding was first initiated in first captive offspring born at Sana’a (Photo J. Edmonds).
1995 with the transfer of a male from Zoo to survive beyond their first year.
the Republic of Yemen and a female Ongoing cooperation between Yem-
from OMBC. The young leopard was en and the EPAA resulted in the rescue The Studbook
rescued from an illegal exhibit in Yem- of a second wild caught male in 2003 The Regional Studbook was first com-
en following months of negotiations be- that is now on breeding loan to the piled and produced in its present form in
tween Christian Gross (for the Arabian BCEAW. 1999 when staff from Animal Manage-
Leopard Trust) and the Environment Ta’iz Zoo, Yemen, ceased to partici- ment Consultancy accepted the task of
Protection Authority (EPA) of Yemen. pate in the captive breeding programme coordinating the studbook records and
As experienced in Oman, it took several shortly after agreeing to cooperate with advising the captive institutions on be-
years before any cubs were success- the regional studbook in 2001. Only half of the BCEAW. Coordination and
fully mother-reared at the purpose built three of the six wild caught leopards management of the studbook was taken
Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabi- held at Ta’iz Zoo have bred in captivity. over by Kevin Budd in 2001 and has
an Wildlife (BCEAW) in Sharjah. The It is imperative that the unrepresented been administered by Jane Edmonds
centre was commissioned by His High- wild caught leopards held in this collec- since 2004. Prior to 1999, the OMBC
ness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed tion and the offspring from those found- produced the regional records for the
al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Mem- ers that have bred become available to captive breeding programme.
ber of the UAE Supreme Council. the captive breeding programme to ex- The studbook is a policy that pro-
The National Wildlife Research pand the current limited bloodlines. vides a common goal for all captive bree-
Centre (NWRC) in Ta’if, Saudi Ara-
bia, obtained its first Arabian leopard, Table 1. Number of Arabian leopard in held in various breeding facilities on the Arabian
a wild caught juvenile male, in 1997. Peninsula. OMBC = Oman Mammal Breeding Centre, BCEAW = Breeding Centre for En-
The NWRC forms part of the National dangered Arabian Wildlife, UAE. ADWC = Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre. Besides the number
Commission for Wildlife Conserva- of animals housed in the respective year, leopards born/died are given in brackets.
tion and Development (NCWCD) un- Year OMBC BCEAW Ta’if Sana’a Ta’iz ADWC
der the Chairmanship of His Highness
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz. A second 1999 6 (0/0) 6 (1/0) 2 (0/0) 0 3
wild caught male was transferred to the 2000 6 (0/0) 9 (2/0) 2 (0/0) 4(0/0) 9 (4/1)
NWRC in 1998.
2001 5 (0/1) 10 (2/0) 3 (0/0) 4 (1/1) 11 (2/0)
In the year 2000 the Environ-
ment and Protected Areas Authority 2002 6 (0/0) 13 (4/1) 4 (0/0) 5 (2/1) 11 (unk) 1 (0/0)
(EPAA) in Sharjah hosted a Conserva- 2003 6 (0/0) 16 (3/1) 3 (0/0) 4 (0/1) 11 (unk) 1 (0/0)
tion Assessment and Management Plan 2004 6 (0/0) 19 (3/0) 3 (0/0) 6 (2/0) 11 (unk) 1 (0/0)
(CAMP) workshop. The workshop
2005 6 (0/0) 22 (2/0) 3 (0/0) 6 (0/0) 11 (unk) 1 (0/0)
paved the way for the authorisation of
2006 5 (0/1) 20 (1/0) 4 (0/0) 4 (0/2) 11 (unk)
breeding loan agreements between au-
12
least 90 % of the known genetic diver-
10 sity of the subspecies to be able to act
8 as a buffer for the remaining wild po-
6
pulation. Representation of wild-caught
founders is therefore still a high priority
4
for the region, with particular focus on
2 the three founders registered to NWRC,
0 Ta‘if, Saudi Arabia. Inclusion of the
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 five (2.3) wild caught leopards at Ta‘iz
Number of animals Zoo, Yemen in current breeding efforts
Fig. 4. Age distribution of the captive population 2006.
is highly desirable but unlikely. In or-
der to further fulfil international genetic
diversity criteria, the captive population
42 2006
will be required to expand to 200 - 250
individuals.
A large proportion of the growth re-
flected in the captive population during
the past five years is as a result of an in-
flux of wild caught animals rather than
due to recommended breeding within
the population. It is critical that the po-
pulation growth begin to reflect the ge-
netic diversity already held in captivity
rather than depleting a tiny wild popula-
tion that is not yet buffered by the capti-
ve breeding programme.
As can be seen from Figure 4, a large
number (64.5 %) of the leopards recor-
ded in the captive breeding programme
are within the optimum breeding range
of four to twelve years of age. Of the
animals within the prime breeding age
bracket, fifteen are wild born. There are Fig. 5. Female Arabian leopard with cubs in the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian
Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE (Photo J. Edmonds).
eleven leopards considered juvenile (3
years and under) and two that are geria-
tric (over 16 years). her first litter within the Arabian leo- Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley,
The age at which females become pard captive breeding programme. The MN, USA.
earliest age at which artificial hormonal De Haas van Dorsser F. J. 2006. Reproduc-
reproductively inactive is not yet known.
stimulation was attempted is three years tion in the Arabian leopard. PhD Disserta-
The oldest known female to reproduce tion, University of Cambridge, Newnham
within the captive population was 16.5 of age. Artificial insemination attempts
College, Cambridge, UK.
years of age. This particular female still have thus far been unsuccessful in the
De Haas van Dorsser F. J. and Strick J. A.
displays oestrus behaviour at regular in- Arabian leopard; no pregnancies were 2005. Semen characteristics and sperm
tervals (~21days). Faecal steroid hormo- artificially produced during a PhD study morphology of the Arabian leopard (Pan-
ne analysis carried out as part of a PhD conducted at the BCEAW. thera pardus nimr) and how these vary
study on the reproductive physiology of with age and season. Journal of Repro-
the Arabian leopard confirmed these ob- Acknowledgements duction, Fertility and Development 17,
The authors would like to gratefully acknow- 675-682.
servations.
ledge the support of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Edmonds J. A. 2006. Arabian leopard Regi-
The oldest leopard recorded in the Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi, Ruler of onal Studbook (Panthera pardus nimr).
studbook (Stbk # 03) is a wild caught Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian
female (currently ~22 years old) who Council. Thanks are extended to Dr. David Wildlife, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
has been in captivity for 21 years. Fae- Mallon and Dr. Urs Breitenmoser for their Edmonds J. A. and Budd K. J. 2005. Arabi-
cal steroid hormone analysis showed that guidance in preparing this report and to each an leopard Regional Studbook (Panthera
regular ovarian activity ceased at 18-19 institute that provided current data for their pardus nimr). Breeding Centre for Endan-
years of age. Nesra produced three litters breeding programmes. Special mention goes gered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, United
in captivity, the last of which was born to Christian Gross, whose efforts ensured that Arab Emirates.
the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Harrison. D.L. 1968. The Mammals of Ara-
when she was ~11 years of age.
Wildlife became a reality. bia. Volume 2. Carnivora. Hyracoidea.
The youngest age at which leopards Artyodactyla. Ernst Benn Limited, Lon-
have thus far reproduced in the captive References don.
programme is three years of age for fe- Budd K.J. and Edmonds J.A. 2004. Arabi- Tenhumberg B., Tyre A. J., Shea K. and Pos-
males and four years of age for males. an leopard Regional Studbook (Panthera singham H. P. 2004. Linking Wild and
Semen evaluation has shown that normal pardus nimr). Breeding Centre for Endan- Captive Populations to Maximise Species
adult parameters are not attained before gered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, United Persistence: Optimal Translocation Stra-
three years of age in the male although Arab Emirates. tegies. Conservation Biology 18, 1304-
puberty is evident from two years (de CITES. 1998. Checklist of CITES Species. 1314.
Haas van Dorsser & Strick 2005). The CITES Secretariat, Geneva/World Con-
servation Monitoring Centre: Geneva,
earliest age at which oestrus behaviour
Switzerland.
has been noted in a female is twenty two Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
months; the youngest age at which a pre- 2000. Conservation Breeding Assess-
gnancy has been carried to term is three ment and Management Plan for Arabian
years. No female younger than four years Carnivores and Population Habitat and
has reared a litter of cubs; there is thus far Viability Assessment for the Arabian le-
no record of a dam successfully rearing opard and Arabian Tahr. Conservation
1
KORA, Thunstrasse 31, CH-3074 Muri/Bern, Switzerland <ch.breitenmoser@kora.ch>, <urs.breitenmoser@ivv.unibe.ch>
2
3 Acre St., Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8JS, United Kingdom <d.mallon@zoo.co.uk>
A Framework for the Conservation of the Arabian Leopard. The Arabian leopard is Critically Endangered
according to IUCN Red List criteria. To secure its survival, a strong partnership between the range coun-
tries, but also between governmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, and scientists is needed.
Steps in the strategic planning for the conservation of the Arabian leopard include (1) compilation of base-
line information (status reports), (2) definition of common goals and activities at the range level (conserva-
tion strategy), and (3) the definition of tasks and actions for each range country (action plans). The Status
Reports published in this issue form the basis for the development of a range-wide Conservation Strategy.
The Strategy should be developed in a participative process using a logistic framework approach, with all
relevant governmental agencies of the range countries, important non-governmental organisations, and the
experts involved. The Strategy should express the common will to save the Arabian leopard and provide
guidance for the definition and implementation of conservation action in the countries, which are the ma-
nagement units. Consequently, it will be of outstanding importance that the political authorities in charge
of nature conservation in each range country endorse the Conservation Strategy.
Δϛήѧη ϡΎѧϴϗ Ϧѧϣ ΪѧΑϻ ϩ˯ΎѧϘΑ ϥΎϤπϟϭ .ΝήΤϟ ΪϳΪϬΘϟ ϊοϭ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ Ϊόϳ ˬΔόϴΒτϟ ϥϮμϟ ϲϟϭΪϟ ΩΎΤΗϻ ήϴϳΎόϣ ΐδΤΑ
ΔѧτΨϟ ϦϤπѧΘΗ .˯ΎϤϠόϟϭ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ ήϴϏ ΕΎϤψϨϤϟϭ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ ΕΎϬΠϟ ϦϴΑ ϥϭΎόΘϟ ϥϮϜϳ ϥ ΐΠϳϭ ˬΎϬϴϓ ζϴόϳ ϲΘϟ ϝϭΪϟ ϦϴΑ
ΪѧϳΪΤΗ (2) ˬ(Ϧϫήѧϟ ϊѧοϮϟ ήϳέΎѧϘΗ) ΕΎѧϣϮϠόϣ ΓΪѧϋΎϗ ϒϴϨμѧΗϭ ϊѧϤΟ (1) ΔѧϴΗϵ ΕϮτΨϟ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ϥϮμϟ ΔϴΠΗήΘγϹ
ΔѧϟϭΩ ϞѧϜϟ ϞѧϤόϟ ΕϮѧτΧϭ ϡΎѧϬϤϟ ΪѧϳΪΤΗ (3)ϭ (ϥϮμϟ ΔϴΠϴΗήΘγ·) έΎθΘϧϻ ϝϭΩ ϯϮΘδϣ ϰϠϋ ΔτθϧϷϭ ΔϛήΘθϤϟ ϑΪϫϷ
ϥϮѧλ ΔϴΠϴΗήΘѧγ· ήϳϮѧτΘϟ αΎγϷ ˬέΪλϹ άϫ ϲϓ ΓέϮθϨϤϟ ˬϦϫήϟ ϊοϮϟ ήϳέΎϘΗ ϞΜϤΗ .(ϞϤόϟ ςτΧ) έΎθΘϧϻ ϝϭΩ Ϧϣ
ΕΫ ΔѧϴϣϮϜΤϟ ΕΎѧϬΠϟ ϊѧϴϤΟ ϊѧϣ ˬΔϴϘτϨϣ ΔϴϠϜϴϫ ΎϬϴϓ ϡΪΨΘδΗ ΔϛήΘθϣ ΕϮτΧ ϲϓ ΔϴΠϴΗήΘγϹ ήϳϮτΗ ΐΠϳϭ ˬϯΪϤϟ Δόγϭ
ΔѧΒϏήϟ Ϧѧϋ ΔϴΠΗήΘγϹ ήΒόΗ ϥ ΐΠϳϭ .ήϣϷΎΑ ϦϴϴϨόϤϟ ˯ήΒΨϟϭ ΔϤϬϤϟ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ ήϴϏ ΕΎϤψϨϤϟϭ έΎθΘϧϻ ϝϭΩ ϲϓ Δϗϼόϟ
ϚϟάΑϭ .ΓέΩϹ ΕΪΣϭ ϞΜϤΗ ϲΘϟϭ ˬϝϭΪϟ ϩάϫ ϲϓ ϥϮμϟ ΔϴϠϤϋ ίΎΠϧϭ ΪϳΪΤΘϟ ϪϴΟϮΘϟ ϡΪϘΗ ϥϭ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΫΎϘϧϹ ΔϛήΘθϤϟ
.ϥϮμϟ ΔϴΠΗήΘγ· ϰϠϋ ΔϟϭΩ Ϟϛ ϲϓ ΔΌϴΒϟ ΔϳΎϤΣ ϰϠϋ ϊϗϮϳ ϥ ϢϬϤϟ Ϧϣ ϥϮϜϴγ
1. Introduction
The Arabian leopard (Panthera par- List, with the justification: “The Leo- first need to compile baseline data. At
dus nimr) once roamed throughout the pard population of the Arabian peninsu- the 2003 meeting in Sharjah, the Arabi-
mountains and forests of the Arabian la is estimated to number approximately an Leopard Working Group decided to
Peninsula, from the Hajjar Mountains of 100 mature individuals, with a declining review all information available and to
south-east Arabia, mountains of Dhofar, trend, and no subpopulation estimated to publish country-based Status Reports
through Hadhramaut to the hills north contain more than 50 mature individu- (this issue).
of Aden north along the mountains of als” (www.redlist.org). The Conserva- The conclusions from the Reports
western Yemen and along the Asir and tion Workshop for the Fauna of Arabia are not at all reassuring. The distribu-
and Hijaz ranges to the Jordan Valley organised annually by the Environment tion range of the Arabian leopard is
and the Negev. During the 20th century, & Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) extremely fragmented. Only a few po-
the distribution area and population size of Sharjah has put the Arabian leopard pulation nuclei remain, scattered along
decreased at an alarming rate, though high on its agenda from the very first the rugged mountains and wadis in the
largely unnoticed. Although the present meeting in 2000. Since then, the Cap- south and west of the peninsula. Recent
distribution range is highly fragmented tive Breeding Programme co-ordinated observations are confirmed only for
and was already discontinuous in his- by the Sharjah Breeding Centre for En- three localities: the very small nuclei
toric times, there is good evidence that dangered Arabian Wildlife (BCEAW) in the Negev desert, one of unknown
the leopard on the Peninsula including has made remarkable progress (Fig. size in Wada’a north of Sana’a, and
the Negev and Sinai belong to the same 1; Edmonds et al. 2006), securing the the largest and best-preserved popula-
subspecies (see Spalton & Al Hikmani survival of the taxon in captivity. The tion in the Dhofar mountains in south
2006). Since 1996, the IUCN/SSC Cat ultimate goal is however the conserva- Oman, probably stretching into eastern
Specialist Group has listed P. p. nimr as tion of the Arabian leopard in the wild. Yemen. But even the largest remnant
Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red To get started on this difficult road, we population in south-west Oman cannot
44 2006
be considered viable in the long-term,
given its small total size and isolation.
Several spots in the Al-Hijaz mountains
of Saudi Arabia and in Yemen which
had known occurrence in the 1980s and
early 1990s, but with no recent obser-
vations, remain to be surveyed (Al Ju-
maily et al. 2006; Judas et al. 2006). An
exchange of individuals between the
remaining nuclei seems unlikely. The
quality of the information available at
present does not allow for population
estimation; but we believe that the ef-
fective population size is clearly below
250 individuals.
Urgent conservation action is re-
quired, but is impeded by the fact that
so little information on the Arabian le-
opard is available. Indeed, the only po-
pulations studied and monitored in the
field are those in Oman (Spalton & Wil- Fig. 1. Arabian leopard in the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. The
lis 1999) and in the Negev (Ilani 1980; Arabian leopard is one of the smallest and most endangered leopard subspecies worldwide
1990; Perez et al. 2006). No systematic (Photo U. Breitenmoser).
research has been done on threats, con-
flicts and human attitudes, and yet, awa-
reness building, education, and capacity nitored. The fate of all other nuclei is at 3. Strategic conservation planning
building are imperative. To develop a stake. One small population is nowhere To secure the survival of the Arabian
sensible conservation action plan and to near sufficient to secure the survival of leopard according to IUCN Red List
set priorities in such a situation is not the Arabian leopard in the wild. Genetic criteria is one aspect of its conservati-
easy; everything needs to be done at the impoverishment or catastrophic events on. Beyond this, the leopard is the top
same time and with limited understan- could wipe it out. To down-list the Ara- predator of the regional eco-system,
ding, awareness and funding. bian leopard from Critically Endange- and plays an important role as an um-
Nevertheless, it is necessary to pro- red to Endangered according to IUCN brella and flagship species (see Simber-
ceed in a careful and well-planned way Red List criteria, the effective popula- loff 1998). Such a view implies that the
in an emergency situation. The Status tion size must be over 250 individuals, Arabian leopard should be conserved in
Reports provide baseline information that is a total population of about 500 all suitable habitats of its historic ran-
for the next steps in planning, which leopards. To regain the status of Vulne- ge as an integral part of the eco-system,
will be (1) the development of a ran- rable, the population must increase to and that populations must be maintai-
ge-wide conservation strategy for the an effective size of 2,500 individuals, ned or restored in all range countries.
Arabian leopard, and, building on this which will only be possible through a For effective international co-operati-
general strategy, (2) country-based ac- considerable expansion of the presently on, we need strong partnership and an
tion plans. In this paper, we outline the occupied range. This is impossible for agreement on long-term goals, hence a
requirements for and the steps towards any of the present nuclei. A more rea- conservation strategy endorsed by the
a comprehensive conservation of this listic scenario is the recovery of seve- national authorities.
charismatic top predator of the Arabian ral local populations, which then form The Partnership must include (1)
Peninsula. a meta-population along the mountain national governmental organisations,
chains of the Arabian Peninsula. First, providing political guidance and re-
2. Scenario for the recovery of the the further decline must be stopped and sponsible for legal aspects (laws on
Arabian leopard the remaining nuclei stabilised. This re- nature conservation, protected areas,
The first priority is to assure the conti- quires improvement of habitat and prey etc.) and implementation of conservati-
nued existence of the Arabian leopard as populations and education of local peo- on actions agreed, (2) non-governmen-
a distinct taxon. This is granted through ple. Still, the remnant populations will tal organisations and interest groups,
the captive breeding programme (Ed- likely not be strong enough to regain which can support leopard conservation
monds et al. 2006). Then, the survival lost areas in the near future. Specific in many ways, e.g. stakeholder involve-
of the remaining wild populations must measures might be needed, including ment, education, raising awareness and
be secured. The only one with a good reintroduction or restocking using the fundraising, and (3) scientific experts,
prognosis is presently the population in captive population as a source. A me- responsible for compiling (biological)
Oman. It is the largest occurrence, its aningful merging of in situ and ex situ baseline information, surveys and mo-
core zone is a protected area and it is mo- procedures calls for strategic planning. nitoring using adequate methods. In this
“triangle of conservation” (Fig. 2), each activities. The political authorities of ved methods must be an integral part
partner plays a different and important the range countries must endorse the of any conservation programme. On
role. The pact does not only include Strategy, so that all implementing agen- one hand, reliable information is fun-
agreement on long-term goals and co- cies can act according to the principles damental to development of sound and
operation, but also mutual consultati- agreed upon in the Strategy. The Strat- target-driven conservation activities,
on, supervision and, whenever needed, egy is developed in a participative pro- and on the other hand, all conservation
constructive criticism. cess (Fig. 3) using a logistic framework programmes need careful monitoring
Partnership agreement, general approach involving all partners of the allowing for continuous adaptation of
goals and common activities are settled “triangle”. The LogFrame (Fig. 4) de- procedures and actions. We still have
in a range-wide Conservation Strategy. fines goals, objectives, and actions on considerable gaps in our basic know-
The Strategy is a prevailing document the (international) range level and for ledge regarding biology and ecology of
providing guidance for on-the-ground overriding activities such as the captive the Arabian leopard and in our under-
breeding programme, and it is a binding standing of the threats causing its dec-
agreement for the development of more line. More specific information is e.g.
Vision specific action plans. needed in the following domains:
National Action Plans are tools for (1) Distribution and status of leopards
Goal the definition and implementation of the in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The
Threats target-driven conservation actions ac- distribution nuclei indicated in these
Objetives cording to the long-term goals defined two countries (this issue) are mainly
in the Strategy. Countries are the ma- concluded from unconfirmed obser-
nagement units under a common juris- vations. Sound initial surveys follo-
Targets diction, management structure and bud- wed by continuous monitoring must
gets. Hence specific assignments must have high priority for all potential
be defined and implemented on this le- leopard areas.
Activities vel. Action Plans are, like the Strategy, (2) The identification of threats and
developed in a participative process in- conflicts are not based on explicit
volving all partners and institutions that investigations, but rather on general
Fig. 4. Logistic framework pyramid for the will have to implement the plan or will assumptions. To tailor conserva-
development of a conservation strategy in a be affected by its implementation, such tion actions specifically for a cer-
participative process. The group first formu- as local people or interest groups. Com- tain area, understanding the local
lates a common vision and a more concrete pared to the Conservation Strategy, an people’s attitudes towards leopards
goal. The identification of threats and the Action Plan is more specific in regard is important.
goal allow defining more concrete objecti-
to places, procedures, actors, and dead- (3) Depletion of wild prey is believed to
ves, targets, and activities. The pyramid rep-
resents also a time scale. The vision descri- lines, and should be regularly revised be a major reason for the decline of
bes a long-term perspective, the goal a state and adapted. the Arabian leopard, but its diet and
to be reached within 10–20 years, and the feeding ecology is not understood.
activities finally actions to be done within 4. Research, survey and monitoring A preliminary study by Muir-Wright
the next 1–3 years. Research and monitoring using appro- 1999 (quoted in Spalton et al. 2006)
46 2006
leopard’s feeding ecology is of utmost an obligation on their wildlife conserva-
importance for any recovery plan. tion and management agencies.
Target
Monitoring is crucial for the control Yet, the Arabian leopard as the top
of success and the adaptive manage- predator of the peninsula will serve as a
ment of any conservation programme flagship and umbrella species not only
Action (Fig. 5). Many different things can be in the ecological sense of the term. Part-
monitored, like size and distribution nership agreements, strategic planning,
of the leopard population, dynamics of implementation and monitoring could
Contents