Status Report on Arabian Leopard in Yemen
Masaa Al Jumaily1, David P. Mallon2, Abdul Karim Nasher1, Nagi Thowabeh3
1 Faculty of Science, Sana‘a University, PO Box 12231, Sana‘a, Yemen
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
Status and Distribution Information on the historical distribu- western escarpment, then east to the because skins and live animals of many tion of leopards Panthera pardus nimr border with Oman. The linear distance species have traditionally been imported in Yemen is sparse and fragmentary, measures around 500 km from north to from northeast Africa into Yemen. For with only a small number of specific south and a further 900 km from east to example Hunter (1877) referred to leop- records. Nevertheless, it is generally west and represents a potentially exten- ard skins imported into Aden for sale assumed that the historical range of the sive area of former range. to ship passengers. Morrison-Scott (in leopard in Yemen extended through all Some reports relate to skins purchased a footnote to Thesiger 1949) said that the mountainous areas of the country, in markets that have only a vague place two Arabian leopard skins he examined from the Saudi border south along the of origin. Caution is additionally needed were ‘a good match’ for one from So-
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.
CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 21 Yemen were sold in Saudi Arabia in 2001 (Judas et al. 2006). It is impossi- ble to estimate accurately the number of leopards captured and sold or exported. Increasing public awareness work may be having some effect in limiting the ex- tent of illegal killing and live capture. Habitat degradation and destruction also affect much of the country. Over- grazing, unrestricted cutting of forests and scrub for fuel and building, and a growing human and livestock popula- tion increasingly impact upon the envi- ronment and pose a threat to terrestrial biodiversity in general (Varisco et al. 1992, UNDP/UNEP/GEF 2001). As sub-populations become smaller and more isolated, movement of indi- viduals between them, and thus gene flow, is increasingly restricted and dispersal distances grow larger. Such demographic factors will gain in sig- Fig. 2. Wadi Hadhramout in Yemen (Photo P. Vercammen). nificance as leopard numbers become further depleted.
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,
CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 23 en’s biodiversity including leopards and prey have been produced by the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Au- thority (EPAA) and distributed in coop- eration with the Environmental Protec- tion Authority.
People and Institutions The Environmental Protection Author- ity (EPA) is the government agency responsible for co-ordinating wildlife research, environmental education and legislation. The Biology Department of the University of Sana’a has conducted some mammal surveys of Yemen. NGOs involved in the conservation of wildlife include the Yemeni Biological Society, established in 2001, and the Yemen So- ciety for the Protection of Wildlife (or Wildlife Yemen), founded in 2002. Fig. 4. Rock hyrax have been identified as leopard prey. They are widespread in Yemen (Photo Ch. Breitenmoser-Würsten). Ongoing Work EPA collects local reports of leopards. Al-Jumaily 1998) and some do not oc- area. There is no government compensa- A programme of cooperation between cur in leopard habitat. It is also unclear tion scheme for livestock losses, though EPA and EPAA Sharjah has included whether these species could form a sig- at least one local leader is reported to production of publicity materials, as- nificant part of the diet or whether they operate a private scheme. Numbers of sistance with captive breeding, field would only constitute an occasional prey domestic animals are increasing, along surveys and training. A preliminary item. Potential prey also includes birds with the human population. investigation of Hauf Forest by a joint such as partridges Alectoris philbyi, A. Yemeni-Omani team took place in May melanocephala and Ammoperdix heyi, Legal Status 2006 and further work is planned. sandgrouse Pterocles spp. and other The leopard and its prey species are Nine leopards are currently held at ground-living birds, as well as larger legally protected, but enforcement is Sana’a and Ta’iz zoos. Breeding took reptiles such as Uromastyx spp. Leop- weak or lacking, especially in remote place at both zoos in 2003 but the young ards are known to prey on livestock but areas. Several protected areas in Yemen died in both cases, as well as one adult there are few details on the frequency of have been proposed and two are be- in Sana’a. Successful breeding took attacks or extent of depredations. ing implemented (UNDP/UNEP/GEF place at Sana’a zoo in 2004. Veterinary 2001). Wadi Rijaf PA in the western assistance and management advice and Domestic Animals highlands contains hamadryas baboon, training have been provided to Sana’a Livestock are an integral part of the ru- porcupine and striped hyena, but leop- Zoo by the Breeding Centre for Endan- ral economy. Sheep and goats are kept ards probably no longer occur (Cowan gered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. Some everywhere, with smaller numbers of 2004). Bura’a Protected Area is also captive animals have been sent from camels, donkeys, and horses. Camels situated in the western highlands. Hawf Sana’a to BCEAW to take part in the are more frequent in the south and drier Forest on the eastern border may con- captive breeding programme, and are parts of the interior. Leopards are known tain leopards but their presence needs entered in the international studbook. to prey on livestock on occasion but confirmation. An ibex reserve has been there are few details on the frequency or proposed in Wadi Hadhramaut, where Recommendations the impact of these attacks. There are no leopards were last recorded up to 15-20 Action is needed at all levels to con- analyses to show the extent of leopard years ago. serve the Arabian leopard and its prey predation on domestic animals. in Yemen. The highest priority for ac- Local people in Wada’a said that Conflicts and Public Awareness tion is a programme of field surveys to leopards began to attack livestock once Some villagers believe that leopards establish current distribution and status. gazelles disappeared, about 20 years pose a threat to their livestock and El- This information is fundamental to the previously, according to El-Mashjary Mashjary (1995) quoted local people in development of a comprehensive con- (1995). They used to take 3-4 goats a Wada’a as saying that leopards are ag- servation programme. month, but on one occasion a leopard gressive and dangerous. killed 45 goats in a single attack. (Obadi Work to raise awareness of the Field surveys (1993a, b) reported retaliatory killing of plight of the leopard is increasing. Sev- • Investigate at the earliest opportunity leopards by shepherds in the Lawdar eral posters on various aspects of Yem- the current situation in Wada’a, the
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- techniques for local rangers and staff, en. Sandgrouse 4, 1-36. nithologists and conservationists. Sand- Cowan P. 2004. Wadi Rijaf, Jebel Bura’, grouse 17, 15-21. backed up by written materials (i.e. a Yemen. The Phoenix 20, 11-12. Muir-Wright, M. T. 1999. The diet of the 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, Captive Breeding Yemen. Workshop on the Arabian leop- University of Aberdeen. Obadi N.A. 1993a. [Animals of Yemen: • Develop the captive breeding pro- ard (Panthera pardus nimr) 15-16 Octo- 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. the international captive breeding Gasperetti J., Harrison D. L. and Büttiker W. Scholte, P. T. 1992. The birds of Wadi Rima, a permanently flowing wadi in western programme. 1985. The Carnivora of Arabia. Fauna of 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 measures. Hunter F. M. 1877 (reprinted 1968). An ac- Republic of Yemen. Unpublished report, 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.
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