Status Report for the Arabian Leopard in the Sultanate of Oman
James A. Spalton1, Hadi M. Al Hikmani1, Mansoor H. Jahdhami1, Abdulkarder A. A. Ibrahim2, Ali S. Bait Said3 and David Willis4
1 Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, PO Box 246, Muscat 113, Sultanate of Oman
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.
ϥΎϤϋ ΔϨτϠγ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ϊοϭ ϝϮΣ ήϳήϘΗ
κΨϠκ ϣΨϠϣ
Ϧϣ ϰϔΘΧ ϡϡϦϣϰϔΘΧ 1976 ϭϡΎϋ ϲѧϓϭϲѧϓ .ϥΎѧϤϋ ΔϨτϠδΔϨτϠδϥΎѧϤ˵ϋ ѧϟ ΔϴѧϠΒΠϟ Ϟγϼδѧϟ ϒϠΘѧΨϣ ϲѧϓ ϲѧοΎϤϟ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ εΎѧϋ ϻ Ϫϧϻ ϊϟΎτϟ ϦϪϧ ϦϤϳϊϟΎτϟ ϦϣϭϤϳ Ϧϣϭ .ϡ1997 ϡΎϋ άϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔψϓΎΤϣ ϲϓ ΕΪϫΎθϣ ϪϟΕΪϫΎθϣ Ϫϟ ϞΠδΗ ϢϟϞΠδ ΎѧϤϛΗϢϟ ΎѧϤϛ ˬήѧΠΤϟ ϝΎΒѧΟ ΔϠδѧϠγ .ϡϮϴϟ ϰΘΣ έΎέΎϡϮϴϟ ϔχ ϝΎΒΟ Ϣψόϣ ϲϓ ζϴόϳ ϝΰϳ
Ϧϣ ΔϋϮϤΠϣ ϝϭ βϴγ΄ΘΑβϴγ΄Θ ϡϡΑ 1985 ϡΎϋ ϲϓ ϥΎϤ˵ϋΔϨτ ϥΎϤϋ ΔϨτϠѧγϠѧγ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ ήѧϤϨϟ ϥϮμѧϟ ΕϮѧτΨϟ ϰѧϟϭ ΫΎѧΨΗ ϢѧΗ ϞΒѧѧΟϞΒ ϦѧѧϋѧѧΟ ϥϼѧѧϋϦѧѧϋ Ϲϥϼѧѧϋ ϢѧѧΗ ΚϴѧѧΣ ϡϡϹ 1997 ϡΎѧѧϋ ϲѧѧϓ ϯήѧѧΧϯήѧѧΧϡΎѧѧϋ ΔѧѧϣΎϫ ΕϮѧѧτΧ ΕάѧѧΨΗ ΎѧѧϤϛΎѧѧϤϛΕάѧѧΨΗ .ήѧѧγϷ ϲѧѧϓ ΓΎΑήѧѧϤϟ έϮϤϨѧѧϟέϮϤϨѧѧϟΓΎΑήѧѧϤϟ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ δϣ ϦϴηΪΗ ϡΎόϟβϔϧ ϲѧϓϡΎ ѧϓ ϢѧΗ ΎѧϤϛ .ΔϴѧόϴΒσ ΔϴѧϤΤϤϛΔϴѧόϴΒσΔϴѧϤΤϤϛ έΎѧϔχ ϝΎΒѧΟ Ϧѧϣ ˱˯ΰѧΟ˯ΰѧΟ ϞΜѧϤϳ ϱάѧϟ ϥΎΤϤѧγ έϮϤϨϟ ξόΒΑ ϙΎδϣϹϭ ΔϴΨϓ ΕήϴϣΎϜϟΎΑ έϮϤϨϟ ήϳϮμΗϭ ΔϴϧΪϴϣ ΕΎΣϮδϣ ˯ήΟ· ϦϴΤϟ ϚϟΫ άϨѧϣ ϢϢѧΗѧΗ ΚϴѧΣ ˬΔϴϋΎϨτλϻ έΎϤϗϷΎΑ Ύ˱ϴϜϠγϻϴϜϠγϻΎ ΎϬσσΎΒѧΗέΎϬ ΎΒѧΗέ ϖϳήѧσ Ϧѧϋ ΔϴΎπѧϓ ΔѧΣϼϣ ΔѧϤψϧѧΣϼϣ ϰѧϠϋΔѧϤψϧ ϰѧϠϋ ΔϳϮΘѧΤϣΔϳϮΘѧΤϣ ϕϮѧσ΄Α ΎϬϘϳϮѧτΗϭ ϥϮϴΤϟ άϫ ϮΤϧ έΎψϧϷ ϪϴΟϮΗ ϲϓ ΪϋΎγϭ ϲΑήόϟ ήϤϨϟ ΔϴΟϮϟϮϜϳ ϝϮΣ ΔϴγΎγ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ήѧϓϭ ϱάѧϟ ήѧϣϷ .έΩΎϨϟ ϱήΒϟϱήΒϟέΩΎϨϟ
ϝΰϳ ϻ ήϣϷ ϥ ϻ·ήϣϷ ˬϻ· ήϤϨϟˬ ήϤϨϟ ίήΑ ΕΎίήΑ ˱ΌΌΕΎ ϳΰΟ ΔγέΩϭ ΔϴѧΌϴΒϟ ΔΣΎϴδѧϠϟ ΕέΩΎΒѧϣ ϲѧϟΎΤϟ ϞѧϤόϟ ϦϤπѧΘϳ ϦϴѧΣ ϲѧϓ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήΔϴΑήѧόϟѧόϟ έϮϤϨѧϠϟ ΩΪѧόΗ ήѧΧ ϰϰѧϠϋѧϠϋ ΔѧψϓΎΤϤϟ ΎѧϧΩέ Ύѧϣ Ϋ· ΔΌϳήѧΠѧΠϟϟ ΕϮѧτΨϟ Ϧѧϣ ΪϳΰѧϤϟ ΫΎѧΨΗ ϰѧϟ· ΔѧΟΎΤΑ έϮϤϨϠϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ Ϧϴϣ΄ΗϦϴϣ΄ ϲϓ ωήγϹωήγϹΗ ϲϫ ΕϮτΨϟ ϩάϫ Ϣϫ ϥ΄Α ϚηϻϭϚηϻϭΑ .ϡΎϋϪΟϮΑ ΔϘτϨѧϤϟτϨѧϤϟ ϲѧϓ ϲѧϓ ΎѧϤΑέϭ ΔϨτϠδѧϟΎѧϤΑέ ΔϨτϠδѧϟ ΔϗϼΧ ήϴΑΪΗ ϊοϭ έΎΒΘϋϻ ϦϴόΑ άΧϷ ϊѧϣ ΔϴѧόϴΒτϟ ϥΎΤϤѧγ ϞΒѧΟ ΔϴѧϤΤϣ ϲѧϓ ΐΣΎμѧϤϟ ϲѧΎϴΣϷϲѧΎϴΣϷ ωϮϨѧΘϟϭ 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).
Status, distribution and development Detail of distribution records given in Appendix A.In northern Oman leopards once occurred in the massive Hajar range (Harrison 1968) and it is likely they were widespread. However, few records exist and the last confirmed re- port was of a dead animal in 1976 near Rustak. Today the leopard is considered to be absent from the Hajar range (Anon 1997). In the Musandam Peninsula there was a spate of reports of illegal killings of leopards in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1980 alone eight leopards were reported killed by local shepherds. Further killings occurred in the 1990s, the most recent record is of two leo- pards caught in a leghold trap and then shot, by citizens from outside Oman, on Omani territory in October 1997. The- re are no confirmed sightings since that time although there have been reports of further killings in adjacent territo- ry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as recently as 2001 (Jongbloed 2001). Recent camera-trapping projects in the Fig. 1. Historical (hatched), confirmed (red) and possible (green) occurrence of Ara- UAE have not been successful (CBSG bian leopard in Oman. 2002). Illegal hunting and illegal perse- cution by local shepherds have probably been the main contributors to the demi- se of the leopard. If the leopard is still 1999, Spalton et al. 2006). Since 2000 by Anogeisus dhofarica, predominates present in Musandam and the northern an ongoing programme of camera-trap- on many parts of the steep south-facing Emirates then numbers are likely to be ping and satellite tagging of leopards escarpment of Jabals Qara and Qamar. in single figures (CBSG 2002). has confirmed the continuing presence The canopy is relatively open and ground In the Dhofar Mountains the pre- of leopards elsewhere in the mountains cover is good. Above the woodlands are sence of leopards was recorded by of Dhofar, from Salalah west to the bor- tall grasslands, which cover the plateau Thomas (1932) and Thesiger (1949). der with Yemen (Office of the Adviser (Reade et al. 1980). While neither the Founders for the first captive breeding for Conservation of the Environment woodlands nor grasslands support me- group of Arabian leopard, establis- [OACE], unpubl. data). Illegal killing dium or large sized wild herbivores the hed at the Breeding Centre for Omani by local shepherds is probably the pri- areas do support smaller species such as Mammals in Muscat, were caught in mary threat to leopards in Dhofar. rock hyrax Procavia capensis jayakari Jabal Samhan in 1985 (Usher-Smith and although not documented smaller 1985). In 1995 David Willis succeeded Habitat mammals, birds and reptiles are likely with camera-traps to photograph leo- While we do not know what constitutes to be widespread. However, these areas pards in Jabal Samhan and during the prime habitat it is likely that the woo- also have the greatest density of people years 1997-2000 the Arabian Leopard dlands, scrub and grasslands of Dhofar and domestic stock that has led to rapid Survey recorded 17 individuals using were once, and still may be, the best ha- degradation of these habitats over the camera-traps (Fig. 2; Spalton & Willis bitat for leopards. Woodland, dominated last 20 years (Ghazanfar 1999).
CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 27 melanocephala, small rodents and rep- tiles are ubiquitous in the Dhofar moun- tains. The Arabian leopard, like the Af- rican leopard, is likely to be an oppor- tunist and may on occasions take other species such as Blanford‘s fox Vulpes cana and African small-spotted genet Genetta felina grantii although scat analysis found no supporting evidence (Muir-Wright 1999). Similarly leopards in Jabal Samhan might also take goats, young camels and young donkeys while to the west (Jabals Qara and Qamar) cattle might occasionally be preyed upon.
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 panels on the work of the Arabian Le- Table 1. Specimens of Arabian leopard kept at the Oman Natural History Museum. 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 The primary authority for conservation ONHM 2295 Skull Dhofar 1994 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
CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 29 • Genetic Studies. Staff of the Biology Department, College of Science, of the Sultan Qaboos University are develo- ping genetic techniques to identify le- opard and other large carnivores (wolf, hyena and caracal) from scats (faeces) collected on the jabal. To date DNA has been successfully isolated from tissue material and scats of captive (Al Ansa- ri et al. 2005) and wild leopards (Pers. comm. Al Ansari, January 2006). • Satellite GPS Tracking. Four GPS sa- tellite collars have been recovered from leopards captured in Jabal Samhan and Jabal Qamar. Data is being analysed that will give vital range information for male and female leopards. Collaring will continue in order to further investi- gate the ecology of the species and es- Fig. 4.Nubian ibex and kid camera-trapped (Photo A. Spalton). pecially to investigate interaction of the leopard with people and their livestock. • Surveys in Governorate of Musandam. and the Directorate General for Envi- Ongoing work In January 2006 OACE joined up with ronment in Dhofar. The MRMEWR OACE is continuing the work of the Biosphere Expeditions to carry out sur- employ 38 wildlife rangers in Dhofar. Arabian Leopard Survey as follows: vey work in Musandam while simulta- The Office of the Adviser for Con- • Camera-Trapping in the Dhofar neously helping to develop responsible servation of the Environment in the Mountains. Camera-trap survey work tourism (www.biosphere-expeditions. Diwan of Royal Court commenced the continues across the Dhofar mountains org). work of the Arabian Leopard Survey in to determine the continuing presence or • Education & Public Awareness Mate- 1997. This has comprised field research absence of leopards and to ascertain the rial. Staff continue to work with local and studies in Jabal Samhan Nature Re- degree of fragmentation of the popula- schools and government offices to dis- serve and since 2000 in Jabals Qara and tion. This work is being carried out in seminate information. Qamar. In 2006 surveys were underta- conjunction with staff of MRMEWR. • Documentary Film. David Willis has ken with Biosphere Expeditions in the • Investigation of Livestock Killing. been contracted to produce the region’s Musandam peninsula. Camera trapping, satellite tracking and first documentary film about the leopard The Directorate General of Royal molecular scatology are being used to and the work of the Arabian Leopard Farms & Gardens of Royal Court Af- help the MRMEWR to investigate ca- Survey. Leopard footage will be obtai- fairs is responsible for Oman’s only ses of reported livestock killing by wild ned from video-camera traps. group of captive leopards held at the animals and thus be better equipped to Bait al Barakah Breeding Centre for address the issue of compensation. Omani Mammals, Muscat. In 2002 an Arabian Leopard Wor- king Group was established under the Table 2. Animals kept in captivity (in and outside Oman) in December 2006. chairmanship of the Director General Studbook Sex Birth Sire Dam Location Date Local ID Event Name for Nature Conservation of the MRME- Nr date WR and members include representati- 8 M 05.05.93 1 3 BC-Oman 05.05.93 M267 Birth Mohan ves from the OACE and the Sultan Qa- 10 M 24.02.95 1 3 BC-Oman 24.02.95 M297 Birth Zeak boos University. 12 M ~ 1993 wild wild Yemen ~ 1994 UNK Capture Nimrod Private ~ 1994 UNK Transfer Sharjah BR 18.05.95 PP001 Loan to Inventory BC-Oman 03.05.97 UNK Loan to The Oman Natural History Museum, Sharjah BR 12.02.98 PP001 Transfer Ministry of National Heritage and Cul- BC-Oman 30.04.02 M350 Loan to ture holds nine specimens of Arabian 17 F 21.02.97 1 7 BC-Oman 21.02.97 M342 Birth Riha leopard (Table 1). 18 F 21.02.97 1 7 BC-Oman 21.02.97 M343 Birth Badria Seven animals are kept at the Bait 3 F ~ 1984 wild wild BC-Oman ~ 1985 UNK Capture Nesra Al Barakah Breeding Centre for Oma- BC-Oman ~ 1985 M112 Transfer ni Mammals, Directorate General of Sharjah BR 04.05.97 PP003 Loan to Royal Farms & Gardens, Royal Court 6 F 15.05.90 1 3 BC-Oman 15.05.90 M214 Birth Hesra Affairs, Muscat (Table 2). Sharjah BR 11.11.95 PP002 Loan to
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. Collaboration with neighbouring range lagher., ed. M. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar 147-160. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. states. To investigate the possibility of & J.A. Spalton. 29-63. Backhuys Publis- 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 cies. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar & J.A. Spalton. 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-
CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 31 bian Tahr (Hemitragus jayakari Thomas covered near Taf al Qarha; (G. Walker5). 1994: Skull and other remains of a sing- 1894) and a Strategy for the Conservation February, adult photographed dead at le animal near Jibjat (A.G. Boulter10). of the Species. J. Oman Stud. 8, 11-48. Khasab (R. H. Daly6). 1995-2000: Photographs of 17 different Reade S. N. S., Sale J. B., Gallagher M. D. 1990: February, male shot and photo- individual leopards made by camera- and Daly R. H. eds. 1980. The Scienti- graphed, near Khasab (D.M. Fernie7). trap in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve fic Results of the Oman Flora and Fauna 1992: November, male killed in Wadi (Spalton & Willis 1999, Spalton et al. Survey, 1977 (Dhofar). The Journal of Oman Studies Special Report No. 2. Of- Zibat on the border of Oman and Ras Al 2006). fice of the Government Adviser for Con- Khaimah. Head recovered to Arabian 2001-2005: Six individuals trapped for 12 servation of the Environment, Diwan of Leopard Trust (G. Feulner ). fitting with GPS collars in Jabal Samhan H. M. for Protocol, Sultanate of Oman, 1997: October, two leopards caught in a Nature Reserve and two in Jabal Qamar 400 pp. leghold trap and then shot, by men from (OACE, unpublished data). Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999. The sta- outside Oman, on Omani territory close 2001-2005: Photographs of 9-11 dif- tus of the Arabian leopard in Oman: First to the border with RAK (David Insall8). ferent individual leopards made by results of the Arabian leopard survey. In camera-trap in Jabals Qara and Qamar The Natural History of Oman: A Fest- Unconfirmed reports (OACE, unpublished data). schrift for Michael Gallagher., ed. M. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar & J.A. Spalton. 1994: Locals reported single sightings 147-160. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. at Bait Shaikh, Khasab, Jabal Jemayaim Unconfirmed reports: 8 Spalton J. A., Al Hikmani H.M., Willis D. (D. Insall ). 1994: Single animal reported in Wadi and Bait Said A. S. 2006. Critically Other sightings have been documen- Mughsayl and one in Wadi Jardoom Endangered Arabian leopards Panthera ted for the Oman / UAE border (Anon (Ali Salim Bait Saeed11). pardus nimr persist in the Jabal Samhan 1995). 1995: Two adults with three young re- Nature Reserve, Oman. Oryx 40, 287- ported between Sadh and Hadbeen (Ali 294. Northern Oman Salim Bait Saeed11). Single leopard seen Thesiger W. 1949. A further journey across Confirmed reports in Wadi Hanna in 1995, another in Wadi the Empty Quarter. Geogr. J. 110, 188- 8 200. Undated: M.P. Butler obtained an in- ‘Aynenya (D. Insall ). Thomas, B. 1932) Arabia Felix. Jonathan complete skin from locals SW of Ibri 1996: Single animals seen in Wadi Na- 8 Cape Pub. Lond. (Harrison 1968) heez and Wadi Seeq (D. Insall ). Zaroug, M. G. 1983. Status of the rangeland 1976: Animal of unknown sex was of the southern region of the Sultanate of shot and later photographed near Nakhl Notes on source of information Oman (Dhofar) and prospects for their (Gasperetti et al 1986). 1. Office Adviser Conservation of the conservation and sustained development. Environment (OACE; PS2/6-10/76) Unpublished report to Food and Agricul- Unconfirmed reports 2. OACE (C6/45/79) ture Organisation of the United Nations 1976: footprints similar to leopard spoor 3. also Gasperetti et al 1986 – Rome. found near Warrawarra in the Wadi Sa- 4. OACE (C6/56 & 60 /80) Appendix A: Distribution records reen Reserve (Munton 1985). 5. OACE (C6/64-68/81) Reports classified as confirmed (when 1979: Single leopard seen by a local 6. OACE (with photograph; C6/74/81) person in Jabal Alka, to the south of 7. OACE (with photographs; PS2A/9/ animal remains have been collected, 8 or animal photographed and clearly re- Wadi Sareen (D. Insall ). 90) cognisable) or unconfirmed (all others). 8. David Insall, pers. comm. Names after records indicate a personal Dhofar and Central Oman 9. Richard Wood, pers. comm. communication, the location of which is Confirmed reports 10. OACE (PS2/29/94), specimen given in notes below. Presence in the Dhofar mountains no- ONHM 2295 ted by Thomas (1932) and Thesiger 11. Ministry of Regional Municipalities, (1949). Environment & Water Resources. Musandam 1947: Specimen from Jabal Samhan 12. Gary Feulner, pers. comm. February Confirmed reports (Harrison 1968). 2003. 1976: Young female killed, skull collec- 1948/49: Specimen from Dhofar (Har- 1 ted, near Limah (N. McNeil ). rison 1968). 1979: Animal shot and recovered in 1977: Two specimens Jabal Samhan; 2 Wadi Maqalayli; (R. Thompson ). one recovered dead (Gasperetti et al. 1980: Eight leopards killed, some reco- 1986) and a skin received by the Oman vered whole, parts of others collected; Flora & Fauna Survey, 1977 (Reade et female at Al Hawshak, male at Qusay- al. 1980.). dat, unknown sex west of Wadi Jellabat, 1985: Four animals (2.2) trapped in Ja- unknown sex at Al Mintera, male at Al- bal Samhan and taken to the Breeding 3 gema, male west of Wadi Jellabat, male Centre for Omani Mammals (Usher 3 at Al Alama and female west of Limah Smith 1985). 4 (S. Gordon ). 1988: Dead animal photographed near 3 1981: January, male was killed and re- Sadh (R. Wood9).
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