Status of the Arabian in

Jane-Ashley Edmonds1, Kevin J. Budd1, Abdulaziz al Midfa2 and Christian Gross3

1 Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, PO Box 29922, , UAE 2 Environment and Protected Areas Authority, PO Box 2926, Sharjah, UAE 3 Management Consultancy, PO Box 1022, Umm al Quwain, UAE

Experts estimate the wild population of ( pardus nimr) in the Northern Emirates and to be as low as 5–10; however, the UAE does not have the area capacity to carry a population larger than 10-20 . In recent historic times, the is thought to have become an apex predator in areas not used by the Arabian leopard. Its predominance in many may therefore serve as an indicator for declined/extinct leopard populations. Very little is known about the primary and marginal of the Arabian leopard in the UAE, assessment is based on scattered reports and knowledge of from other regions. It is thought that the UAE provides a corridor for leopards moving between the Musandam Peninsula and the of , 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΍ Ε΍έΎѧϣϻ΍ ϲѧϓ ΔѧϳήΒϟ΍ ϲѧϓ (ήѧϤϧ αϭΩέΎѧΑ ΍ήΜϧΎѧΑ) ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ Ω΍Ϊϋ΍ ˯΍ήΒΨϟ΍ έΪϘϳ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ΕΎѧΌϴΑ ήѧΒΘόΗϭ ˬ ήѧϤϧ 5-10 ίϭΎѧΠΘϳϻ ΚѧϴΤΑ ΔπϔΨϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΓήϳΰΠϟ΍ ΍άѧϫ ΔѧόϴΒσ ΐδΣ ϚϟΫϭ ϥ΍ϮϴΣ 10-20 Ϧϣ ήΜϛ΃ ϞϤΤΘΗ ϻ ΚϴΤΑ ΔΣΎδϤϟ΍ ΓΩϭΪΤϣ Ε΍έΎϣϻ΍ ΔϟϭΩ (. (. ώϟΎΑ ήϛΫ ϞϜϟ ϊΑήϣ ϮϠϴϛ )15 ΓήϴΒϛ ΕΎΣΎδϣ ϰϟ΍ ΝΎΘΤϳ ϱάϟ΍ϭ ϱήΒϟ΍ ϥ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ ѧϬϴϓΎ ζϴѧόϳ ϥΎѧϛ ϲѧΘϟ΍ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ΍ ϲϓ ϲδϴ΋έ αήΘϔϤϛ ϖηϮϟ΍ ϥ΍ϮϴΣ έϮϬχ ΃ΪΑ ΓήϴΧϻ΍ Ε΍ϮϨδϟ΍ ϲϓϭ ϪѧΗΎΌϴΑ Ϧѧϣ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ν΍ήѧϘϧ·ϭ΍ ˯ΎѧϔΘΧ΍ ϰѧϠϋ ήѧηΆϤϛ ΓήϫΎѧψϟ΍ ϩάϫ άΧΆΗ ΚϴΣ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϠϟ ΓέΩΎѧϨϟ΍ϭ ΔϴѧγΎγϻ΍ Ϧσ΍ϮѧϤϟ΍ 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 Ε΍έΎϣϹ΍ ΔϟϭΪϟ ήΠΤϟ΍ ϝΎΒΟ ϲϓ Δόϗ΍Ϯϟ΍ ϖσΎϨϤϟ΍ ήΒΘόΗϭ . . ϥΎϤϋ ϲϓ ήΠΤϟ΍ ϝΎΒΟ ΔϴϘΑϭ ϡΪϨδϣ ΓήϳΰΟ ϪΒη ϊѧϳί ϮΗ ) Ϧѧϋ ΔѧϘϴϗΩ ΕΎѧϣϮϠόϣ ΓΪѧϋΎϗ ΩΎѧΠϳ΍ ϢѧϬϤϟ΍ Ϧѧϣ ϪѧϧΈϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ϰѧϠϋ υΎѧϔΤϟ΍ ϞѧΟ΍ Ϧϣϭ ϥ΍ϮѧѧϴΤϟ΍ ΍άѧѧϫ ΕΎϴϛϮϠѧѧγ ϰѧѧϟ΍ ΔϓΎѧѧοϻΎΑ ΎѧѧϬϴϓ ΖѧѧΒόϟ ϲѧѧΘϟ΍ ΔѧѧϴΌϴΒϟ΍ Ϣπѧѧϧϭ ΔѧѧϳήΒϟ΍ ϲѧѧϓ ϲѧѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧѧϤϨϟ΍ . . ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϠϟ ΔΤϟΎλ ΔϴϤΤϣ ϖσΎϨϣ ˯Ύθϧ·ϭ Ρ΍ήΘϗϹ ιήϔϟ΍ ΢ϴΘϴγ ΎϤϣ ˬϝϮΠΨϟ΍

Status, distribution and development of the Arabian leopard population Limited literature exists upon which to son (1968) refers to a report from Tyrell phic evidence (IUCN/SSC Conserva- base an estimate of the historical dis- of a leopard shot near (2 in Fig. tion Breeding Specialist Group CBSG tribution of the Arabian leopard in the 1) in 1962 and a leopard sighting is re- 2000). Spalton et. al. (2006) report that United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reports, corded at the Qalidda Pass in Harrison two leopards were killed in the Mu- kills and sightings of leopard are rare (1971) and Harrison & Bates (1991). sandam in 1997 and Jongbloed (2001) and recorded knowledge is often based Press reports (1993) document a group recorded the killing of a female in Ras on hearsay. of three leopards that were killed in a al Khaimah in 2001 (7 in Fig. 1). Lle- The Arabian leopard was first re- cave in Ras al Kaimah in 1986 (3 in Fig. wellyn-Smith also found signs thought corded in the UAE by Thesiger (1949) 1). As leopards do not usually remain in to be leopard in Zeebat in 2001 who reported the presence of a visiting groups it is assumed that this group was (Fig. 2 and 3). According to Spalton et leopard on Jebel Hafit (1 in Fig. 1). Hel- a mother with sub-adult cubs. Another al. (2006), the last report of leopard in lyer (1993) also reported leopard on leopard was killed in Ras al Khaimah the adjacent Al Hajar Mountain was in Jebel Hafit with an account of one that in May 1993 (5 in Fig. 1); this kill was 1976. Oman authorities now consider was shot and wounded in 1976. Harri- apparently corroborated with photogra- leopard extinct in this region. Recent

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 33 pings. In recent historic times, the cara- cal is thought to have become an apex 7 predator in areas not used by the Ara- A 3 bian leopard (A. Spalton, pers comm.). 5 Its predominance in these wadis may 2 8 4 B therefore serve as an indicator for decli- 6 C ned/extinct leopard populations. A single footprint was photographed by D. Egan from a shallow rock cave in in 2004 (8 in Fig. 1).

D The print was found in soft powder-like 1 sand on rock. Size comparisons with prints of Arabian leopard and Arabian Hajar Mountain Range United Arab Emirates caracal made in soft sand at the Bree- ding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife (BCEAW), Sharjah indicate Oman that it is similar in size to those of the leopard but could also be from a lar- ge/male caracal. The print had Fig. 1. Information on protected areas and distribution of the Arabian leopard in the United prints over it. There were no other signs Arab Emirates. Protected areas (yellow): A = Ru‘us al Jibal (proposed), B = Al Hajar-Shu- (faeces, scrape marks, carcass remains mayliya Mountains (proposed), C = Mangrove Community at Khor (proposed), D = etc.) indicating that the cave was used Jebel Hafit (declared). Observations (black squares): 1 = Jebel Hafit 1976, 2 = near Masafi for any length of time. 1962, 3 = Ras al Kaimah 1986, 4 = near Manama, 5 = Ras al Kaimah 1992 and 1993, 6 = During a Conservation and Assess- Wadi Shawka 1995, 7 = Ras al Kaimah 2001, 8 = Wadi Wurayah 2004. ment Management Plan (CAMP) work- shop for Arabian Carnivores held in Sharjah in February 2000, experts esti- field surveys conducted by Biosphere in (Stuart & Stuart 1995). It should also be mated the wild population in the Nort- 2005 found no evidence of leopard in noted that this wadi is known to support hern Emirates and Musandam Peninsula the Musandam (Spalton et al. 2006). . Caracal and leopard are not of- to be as low as 5–10 (CBSG 2000). The During the course of a field survey in ten found to inhabit the same home ran- home range of Arabian leopards on Jabal 2 1995, evidence of leopard sign (tracks in ge (A. Spalton, pers. comm.). Samhan is about 350 km for males and 2 Wadi Shawka) in the UAE was sugge- Faecal samples collected from Wadi 250 km for females (A. Spalton, pers. sted (6 in Fig. 1), however, the authors Wurayah were analysed at King Khalid comm.). With an approximate mountain 2 express doubt about the occurrence of Wildlife Research Centre (KKWRC) in area of 3,200 km , the UAE does not any resident leopards due to the lack of and identified as Arabian have the capacity to carry a population other signs confirming their presence caracal Caracal caracal schmitzi drop- larger than 10-20 animals.

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- 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 , 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 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 (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).

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 35 (Muir-Wright 1999). Also iden- tified by Muir-Wright (1999) as part of the main constituent of a leopard’s diet is the Lepus capensus cheesmani, which is still present on the plains of the UAE (Drew 2000) and Rock Procavia capensis. (Fig. 11) is not a traditional prey species in the UAE as they are not en- demic. They were however introduced onto the Jebel Hafit and a leopard po- Fig. 7 and 8 Evidence of the occurrence of in the Shumayliyah Mountains of the pulation existing on or near Jebel Hafit UAE. The image on the left is the single photograph obtained from a live sighting of tahr in would likely utilize the hyrax as a pri- Wadi Wurrayha, photographed by Mike Smith. The image on the right is one of the 13 photo- mary food source. graphs of tahr obtained by camera traps during the Shumayliya Mountain survey carried out Skinner & Smithers (1990) record by the BCEAW between June 2000 and January 2002. that African leopards prey on whatever is available within their home range. As with other leopard sub species, the Ara- moisture requirements from prey (Skin- tain region on the east coast of the UAE bian leopard is likely to be an opportu- ner & Smithers 1990), some prey spe- be included as a protected area (B in nistic hunter and it is therefore possible cies occurring in the UAE, such as the Fig. 1). If the UAE does form an impor- that the Blanford’s cana and tahr, are water dependant. Water could tant corridor for migrating leopards to White-tailed Ichneumia albi- therefore be considered a limiting factor move between the Hajar Mountains and cauda would form an occasional part of for the occurrence of Arabian leopard. the Musandam Peninsula, protection of the diet of the Arabian leopard. There is No suitable protected areas exist in the Shumayliya-Hajar region would re- however, there is no scientific evidence the UAE, Jebel Hafit - Ain al Faydah (D duce the vulnerability of leopards mo- to support this statement. in Fig. 1) near Al Ain has been declared ving through this north/south corridor a National Park. The area covers 11,700 and may allow repopulation of the Al Domestic animals ha. Since 2003, intensive effort has Hajar Mountain region. There is very little proof that loss of li- been employed to eradicate feral sheep vestock in the UAE is due primarily to and goats from the Jebel and thereby al- Prey Species the Arabian leopard; although as a result low the expansion of a healthy tahr po- Although there are no official statistics of a lack of other suitable prey within pulation from the present population in to refer to, experts have consistently the leopards’ range it is not unlikely that the region (C. Drew, pers. comm.). Hat- concluded that traditional prey species livestock is killed. Leopards do have a ta Nature Reserve (see map) has been for the Arabian leopard are in a state of widespread reputation as a killer of do- designated a protected area since 2003. decline (CBSG 2000 and 2001, Envi- mestic livestock (Roberts 1977, Harri- 2 This land area covers 16 km . Protec- ronment and Protected Areas Authority son & Bates 1991). tion has been proposed for an area of the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). An informal survey conducted by Ru’us al-Jibal Mountains (A in Fig. 1) According to a study of the diet of Moaz Sawaf on behalf of the Arabi- that is thought to be visited by leopards the Arabian leopards, traditional prey an Leopard Trust (ALT) during 1993 (Llewellyn-Smith 2002). The proposal species in Oman consist of the Arabian (Jongbloed 2001) revealed that all far- has yet to be accepted. tahr Hemitragus jayakari, mountain or mers in the mountains kept free-ranging During their study of the UAE flora Gazella gazella cora, goats, the numbers ranging from 50– and fauna, Chris and Tilde Stuart (1995) Ethiopian hedgehog Paraechinus aethi- 500. These goats compete with Arabian suggested the Shumayliya–Hajar moun- opicus, small , reptiles and even tahr for grazing ground (Fig. 12). A lar- ge portion of the farmers questioned (75 %) said that wild predators killed their goats from time to time but whilst ever- yone questioned had seen caracals, less than half had ever seen a leopard. Many of the farmers said they would refrain from hunting the leopard if compensa- tion for lost goats was paid to them. A later community survey conducted by Moaz Sawaf on behalf of Chris and Til- de Stuart in 1995 revealed similar stati- stics (Stuart & Stuart 1995). Fig. 9. Mountain habitat of the UAE (Photo Fig. 10. Wadi bed in the Shumayliyah Moun- No compensation system for losses J. Edmonds). tains (Photo J. Edmonds). of livestock exists within the UAE. No-

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 (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).

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 37 viewed 44 % did not feel obliged to play of fauna endemic to Arabia. Each at the BCEAW, Sharjah conducted an obey such a law and would hunt as they display has general information lecterns intensive 24-month monitoring project pleased, 94 % felt it was quite acceptab- providing basic details about the animal of the Arabian tahr between June 2000 le to kill leopards and 81 % said they and its habits. Large species, including and January 2002. The survey was con- would hunt a predator actively whether the Arabian leopard have audio facili- ducted with the use of camera traps and or not it threatened their herds. ties giving interesting facts in English observers in the field. The monitoring Until their closure in 2001, the and Arabic. site is located within prime leopard ha- ALT was extremely active in promo- bitat in the Shumayliya Mountains along ting conservation within the UAE and People and institutions the east coast of the UAE (see map). maintained the Arabian leopard as their The Environment and Protected Areas As mentioned previously, the survey flagship species. The organisation was Authority (EPAA) of the Sharjah Go- project only produced 13 photographs instrumental in organising fund raising vernment supports and funds the BCE- of tahr which represents 2.1 % of the events throughout the eight years that AW and research work carried out at the total number of photographs taken. All they were active. centre. the photographs of tahr were of females A children’s story called “Hayat the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ope- and offspring. 1.6 % of the photographs Arabian leopard” written by Marycke rates at a Federal level to address con- were of Arabian caracal, 2.2 % of the Jongbloed sold 5,000 copies in English. servation priorities. There are five main photographs were of Sand partridge, The story was serialized in “Young Ti- priorities that the WWF presently focus Red fox appeared in 0.3% of the photo- mes”, the children’s section of a local on, namely 1) marine environment, 2) graphs and hedgehogs occurred in 2.8% newspaper. An Arabic version of the species of special concern (for the UAE of the photographs. The vast majority of book was printed and distributed at and globally), 3) freshwater environ- the photographs (64.7 %) were of feral schools in the UAE, sponsored by ER- ments, 4) climate changes and 5) toxic goats. Surprisingly, with 26.4 % occur- WDA (Environmental Research and and chemical threats. rence, Blanford’s fox was photographed Wildlife Development Agency). The Environment Agency - Abu more commonly than any of the other A series of postage stamps depicting Dhabi (EAD) formerly known as the endemic species. the four wild cat species of the UAE was Environment Research and Wildlife The Arabian Tahr Conservation issued by the General Postal Authority Development Agency (ERWDA) is a Group (ATCG) plans to implement on October 10, 1994. The leopard has government funded organisation based an extensive survey of the UAE in been featured on UAE telephone cards. in . EAD conducts wildlife 2006/2007. The presence/absence of The release of an educational video, research and regional surveys of Abu leopard is likely to become apparent th- “Land of the Nimr” during 1997 in both Dhabi. The agency does not have any rough this survey. English and Arabic, sponsored by Shell direct involvement in leopard projects The BCEAW, in conjunction with and produced by World Wildlife Pro- at this stage. Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, USA in- duction included information about the Dubai Natural History (DNH) group itiated genetic research to determine Arabian leopard and the efforts being and Emirates Natural History Group whether there are in fact two distinct made to save it. (ENHG) are non-government wildlife forms of the sub-species Panthera The BCEAW, Sharjah has designed awareness groups that organise regu- pardus nimr within the region. Initi- and regularly updates an informative lar field excursions, wildlife awareness al findings indicated that there is no web page, focusing on all endemic Ara- lectures and monthly newsletters. The evidence to support species differen- bian wildlife (www.breedingcentres- Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), tiation between northern and southern harjah.com). This is an ongoing educa- based in Dubai, is actively involved in leopards, however the sample size was tional tool that has been implemented promoting environmental awareness in extremely small. Further investigation since 1999. and around Dubai. The group focus- is required with a larger set of samples The BCEAW, Sharjah organises an es on wildlife awareness and practical to substantiate these findings, with par- annual Conservation Workshop for the environmental goals such as recycling ticular focus on northern specimens as Fauna of Arabia on behalf of the Envi- waste etc. Student workshops and In- only 3 samples were available. Further ronment and Protected Areas Authority. terschool environmental competitions genetic identification is in progress in These workshops have encouraged co- are some of the activities also organised collaboration with Carlos Fernandes at operation between conservation institu- and promoted by the EEG. Cardiff University, UK. tes on the Arabian Peninsula and have No universities are actively invol- The collection and analysis of mor- also provided international exposure of ved in leopard conservation in the UAE phological data from captive specimens conservation efforts within the region. although the American University of is ongoing at the BCEAW. The data pro- Through the workshops, numerous sur- Sharjah has recently formed a student vides an average range of measurements veys have been initiated and the captive conservation group. with which to describe the . breeding program for Arabian leopard The BCEAW, Sharjah sponsored has become a co-operative ex situ con- Ongoing work and research projects and supported research into the repro- servation aide. There is currently no monitoring system ductive physiology of the Arabian leo- Arabia’s Wildlife Centre at the Shar- specifically targeting the occurrence of pard which forms the thesis for a PhD jah Desert Park has a unique public dis- Arabian leopard within the UAE. Staff at Cambridge University. The aim of

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 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. oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. nowledge the support of His Highness Dr. 1985. The of Arabia: Fauna of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi, Data collection has now been comple- Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461. Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Harrison D. L. 1971. Observations on some ted and the results compiled (de Haas Supreme Council. Thanks are extended to van Dorsser 2006). notable Arabian , with descrip- 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. limited. Further research is essential in tion Assessment and Management Plan Hellyer P. 1993. A summary of recent for Arabian Carnivores and Population order to plan effective conservation ap- and leopard sightings in the northern and Habitat Viability Assessment for the UAE and Musandam. Tribulus 3, 23-24. proaches. Accurate data regarding the Arabian Leopard and Tahr: Final Report. distribution, ecology and behaviour of Jongbloed M. 2001. Working for Wildlife. 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- important genetic “reservoir” that can Arabian with Population and sity of Aberdeen, UK. Habitat Viability Assessments for the be used to supplement and improve in- Nowak R. M. and Paradiso J. L. 1993. Arabian Leopard, Arabian Oryx, and Walker’s Mammals of the World. 4th creasingly threatened wild populations Tahr reports. Arabian leopard: Action throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Of Edition. Volume 2. The John Hopkins 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 Improved legislation and enforce- De Haas van Dorsser F. J. 2006. Reproduc- Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE. tion in the Arabian leopard. PhD Disserta- ment protecting the leopard and its Ruddock L and Smith M. 2002. Arabian tion, University of Cambridge, Newnham tahr: Disappearing from the Hajar Moun- prey species from trade (national and College, Cambridge, UK. international) will ensure both long and tains of the UAE? Breeding Centre for 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. an important contribution to carnivore nagement Plan for the Threatened Fauna Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999 The Status of Arabia’s Mountain Habitat. Arabian conservation. Livestock that is closely of the Arabian Leopard in Oman: First leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) Group Results of the Arabian Leopard Survey. herded by day and corralled at night are Report. Breeding Centre for Endangered less likely to be killed by wild predators. In The Natural History of Oman: A Fest- 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 of herding and corralling of livestock Environment and Protected Areas Autho- 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.

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