Status and Conservation of the Leopard on the Arabian Peninsula

Home , Arabian leopard, Arabian wolf, Dhofar Mountains, Hijaz Mountains, Indian crested porcupine, Sarawat Mountains

ISSN 1027-2992 CAT NEWS Special Issue No 1 2006

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IUCNThe World Conservation Union Cat Specialist Group CAT News is the newsletter of the Cat Specialist Group, a component of the Species Survival Commission of The World Contents Conservation Union (IUCN).

Regular issues are published twice a year. Additionally, Special Issues 1. Foreword...... 3 on specific topics are published in between. Cat News is available to 2. The Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula - Distribution and Subspecies subscribers to Friends of the Cat Status...... 4 Group. 3. The Leopard in Jordan...... 9 The personal subscription for Friends is CHF 60 or US$ 50 p.a.; 4. Status of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia...... 11 CHF 30 or US$ 25 for bona fide students. 5. Status Report on Arabian Leopard in Yemen...... 20 The institutional subscription is 6. Status Report for the Arabian Leopard in the Sultanate of Oman...... 26 CHF 120 or US$ 100. Cheques are payable to IUCN/SSC 7. Status of the Arabian Leopard in the United Arab Emirates...... 33 Cat Specialist Group, KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 8. History of the Arabian Leopard Captive Breeding Programme...... 40 CH-3074 Muri b. Bern, Switzerland. 9. A Framework for the Conservation of the Arabian Leopard...... 44 Bank transfer to UBS AG, CH-3000 Bern 77, Switzerland. Account nos. for CHF: 235-359825.41H for US$: 235-359825.60Y Swift Code for wire transfer: UBSWCHZH30A.

CAT News Special Issue No 1 on the Status and Conservation of the Leopard on the Arabian Peninsula has been produced with financial assistance of the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife - Gov- ernment of Sharjah

Editors: Urs & Christine Breitenmoser KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland Tel ++41(31) 951 90 20 Fax ++41(31) 951 90 40

Guest Editors: David Mallon Jane-Ashley Edmonds

Layout: Christine Breitenmoser

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 programme 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard The Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula – Distribution and Subspecies Status

James A. Spalton1 and Hadi M. Al Hikmani1

1 Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, PO Box 246, Muscat 113, Sultanate of Oman

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.

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κΨϠϣ

ϑϭήψϟ΍ ΕΩ΃ϭ ˬΎϫΪΣ΃ ϰϔΘΧ΍ ΪϘϓ ϡϮϴϟ΍ Ύϣ΃ .ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϤϟ΍ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϟ΍ Ϧϣ ω΍Ϯϧ΃ ΔѧόΑέ΃ ΖѧηΎϋ ϲѧοΎϤϟ΍ ϲѧϓ ήϴθΗϭ .αϭΩέΎΑ ΍ήΜϧΎΑ ϢγΎΑ ΎΎ˱˱ϴϨϴΗϻϴϨϴΗϻ ϑϭήѧόϤϟ΍ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ϲѧϘΑ ϦϴѧΣ ϲѧϓ ϝΎϤθѧϟ΍ ϩΎѧΠΗΎΑ ϦϴѧϋϮϧ Ρϭΰѧϧ ϰѧϟ· Ϧϣ ΖΒΜΘϟ΍ ΎΎ˱ϴϟΎΣϴϟΎΣ ϱήΠϳϭ ˬΎϫΰϴϣ΃ϭ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ήϐλ΃ Ϯϫ ήϤϨϟ΍ ϥ΃ ϰϟ· ϱϮϴѧϨΒϟ΍ ϞϜθѧϟ΍ ϝϮѧΣ ΓήѧϓϮΘϤϟ΍ ΕΎϣϮѧϠόϤϟ΍ .ϲϨϴΠϟ΍ κΤϔϟ΍ ήΒϋ ήϣϷ΍ ΍άϫ ϪΒѧѧη ΔϘτϨѧѧϣ ϲѧѧϓ ϲѧѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧѧϤϨϟ΍ ϊѧѧοϭ ϝϮѧѧΣ ΔΤѧѧο΍ϭ ΓέϮѧѧλ ΓήѧѧϴΧϷ΍ Δѧѧϧϭϵ΍ ϲѧѧϓ ΓέϮθѧѧϨϤϟ΍ ΕϼΠδѧѧϟ΍ ΖϣΪѧѧϗ ϲѧѧϓϭ ˬϝΎϤθѧѧϟ΍ ϰѧѧϟ· Δόϗ΍Ϯѧѧϟ΍ ϒΠϨѧѧϟ΍ ˯΍ήΤѧѧλ ϲѧѧϓ έϮϤϨѧѧϟ΍ Ϧѧѧϣ ήϴϐѧѧλ Ω΍ΪѧѧόΗ ΩϮѧѧΟϭ ΢πѧѧΗ΍ ΚϴѧѧΣ ΔϴΑήѧѧόϟ΍ ΓήѧѧϳΰΠϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϣ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ζϴѧόΗ ϦϤϴѧϟ΍ ϲѧϔϓ .ϥΎѧϤϥΎѧϤ˵ϋϋ ΔϨτϠѧγϭ ΔϴѧϨϤϴϟ΍ ΔϳέϮѧϬϤΠϟ΍ Ϧѧϣ Ϟѧϛ ϲѧϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ΍ έϮϤϨѧϟ΍ ΪΟϮѧΗ ΏϮϨѧΠϟ΍ ΎΎ˱ϗ΍ήη·ϗ΍ήη· ήΜϛ΃ ϊοϮϟ΍ ϭΪΒϴϓ ϥΎϤϥΎϤ˵ϋϋ ΔϨτϠγ ϲϓ Ύϣ΃ .ΓήΟΎΘϤϠϟ ΎϬΑ ϙΎδѧϣϹ΍ϭ ϞΘѧϘϟΎϛ ΔϴѧϘϴϘΣ Ε΍ΪѧϳΪϬΗ ΎϬѧοήόΘΗϭ ΔϋΩϮѧϟ΍ .ΔϠϣΎθϟ΍ ϥϮμϟ΍ ήϴΑ΍ΪΗ Ϧϣ έΎϔχ ϝΎΒΟ ϦσϮΘδΗ ϲΘϟ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ΕΩΎϔΘγ΍ ΚϴΣ ϦѧѧϜϤϳ ϻ ήѧϣϷ΍ ΍άѧϫ ϥ΃ ϻ· ΔϘτϨѧѧϤϟ΍ ϲѧϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ΍ έϮϤϨѧѧϟ΍ Ϧѧϣ ϯήѧΧ΃ ΓΪϴѧѧΟ Ε΍Ω΍ΪѧόΗ ΩϮѧΟϭ ΔϴѧѧϧΎϜϣ· Δϟ΂ѧο Ϧѧϣ ϢϏήѧϟΎΑ ϰϟ· Ύϧήψϧ Ύϣ ΍Ϋ· Ύ˱λϮμΧϭΎλϮμΧϭ έΩΎϨϟ΍ ωϮϨϟ΍ ΍άϫ ϰϠϋ υΎϔΤϠϟ ΔϠΟΎϋ Ε΍˯΍ήΟ· ΫΎΨΗϻ ΔΟΎΤϟ΍ ίήѧΒΗ ΎϨѧϫ Ϧѧϣϭ .ϩΩΎόΒΘѧγ΍ .ΪΣ΍ϭ ϰΘΣ ϭ΃ ϦϴϨΛ΍ ϰϟ· ΎΒϳήϗ κϗΎϨΘΗ Ϊϗ ϱέ΍ήΒϟ΍ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ Ε΍Ω΍ΪόΗ 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard from Masafi joined the collection at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Ara- bian Wildlife, Sharjah but has not par- ticipated in the breeding programme. A survey in 1995 found tracks of leopards at one site and stated that there may be 20 ‘or far less’ adults in the mountains (Stuart & Stuart 1995). A survey in the Emirate of Ras al- Khaimah in 1999 and 2000 found some signs of leopard but were not confirmed by camera-traps deployed at the same time (Llewellyn-Smith 2002). There is a report of a leopard being killed on the UAE side of the Musandam Peninsula in February 2001 (EPAA 2003) but photographs or carcass remains seem to be unavailable. Figure 1 shows the confirmed, probable, possible and historical range of P. p. nimr.

Fig. 1. Former and current (since 1990) distribution information for the leopard on the Arabian Morphological and Molecular Ge- Peninsula. Confirmed records: Confident evidence or hard facts, such as dead specimens (with body, skin, etc. available), photo-trap pictures, and genetic analyses (e.g. from scats). Probable netic Variation records: All records confirmed by any evidence or by a trained person. Possible or unconfirmed Miththapala et al (1996), using molecu- records: All not confirmed or not confirmable reports. This includes especially hearsay and lar genetic analysis, grouped seven puta- direct observations. tive central Asian subspecies including P. p. nimr, P. p. jarvisi, P. p. tulliana and spate of live-captures seems to have in 1976 what is believed to be the last P. p. saxicolor together as the revised commenced in the early 1990s when a leopard was found killed. Specimens subspecies P. p. saxicolor. However, young female was killed in a leopard were recovered from the Musandam their analysis included material from trap and her male offspring taken into peninsula during a spate of killing in only two of the seven subspecies: P. p. captivity in Sana’a from where it was the early 1980s and the last confirmed sindica (Baluchistan leopard) and P. p. sold to the Breeding Centre for Endan- report is of two animals killed in 1997 saxicolor and the latter were represent- gered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah in 1995 (Spalton et al. 2006b). ed entirely by a zoo-bred population. (Jongbloed 2001). In subsequent years Camera-trap studies have confirmed This assessment was revisited by at least 10 wild caught leopards entered the continuing presence of leopard in Uphyrkina et al. (2001) who used new zoos in Sana’a or Ta’iz (Budd 2003) and Jabal Samhan, Dhofar (Spalton & Wil- genetic methods and additional sam- at least nine were reported to have come lis 1999) where over 200 photographs ples. They had no material from P. p. from the Al Wada’a area (EPAA 2000). of 17 leopards were obtained during the jarvisi or P. p. tulliana and had one sam- Further animals were moved to the years 1997-2000 (Spalton et al. 2006a). ple for P. p. nimr and three new sam- Breeding Centre for Endangered Ara- Ongoing camera-trapping has also con- ples for P. p. saxicolor that had not been bian Wildlife, Sharjah and in 2002 an firmed the presence of 9-11 leopards in used by Miththapala et al (1996). Their animal was wild caught and presumably Jabals Qara and Qamar that run west work confirmed the proposed subspe- sold to the Al Wathba Cheetah Breeding from Samhan to the Oman-Yemen bor- cies of P. p. saxicolor but tentatively Centre, Abu Dhabi (Budd 2003). der. A number of these leopards were considered P. p. nimr as a subspecies fitted with GPS satellite collars and writing that ‘populations of P. p. nimr Sultanate of Oman tracked in 2001-2005 (Spalton et al. appear to have been isolated for quite a In the Dhofar Mountains of southern 2006b). long time, accumulating multiple diag- Oman, leopards were known from the nostic sites that distinguish it from any monsoon woodlands of Jabal Qara United Arab Emirates other subspecies’. The single sample of (Thomas 1932) and a specimen was Harrison (1971) reports the presence of P. p. nimr was obtained from Tel Aviv collected from Jabal Samhan (Harrison leopard from the mountains of the north- University but originated from some- 1968). It was from Jabal Samhan that ern Emirates that border Musandam where in south Arabia. leopards were captured in 1985 to es- in Oman. In 1986 at least one leopard A study conducted at the Breeding tablish the first captive breeding group was killed in the same mountains and Centre for Endangered Wildlife, Shar- (Usher Smith 1985). In northern Oman in 1991 a male was caught alive near jah (J. Williamson, pers. comm.) looked a single skin was obtained from the Masafi while in 1992 one was shot in at possible differences between leopard Al Hajar range (Harrison 1968) where Wadi Bih (Jongbloed 2001). The male from northern Arabia (UAE & northern

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)

Jordan 1911 tulliana Dead F 2060 750 Harrison 1968

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

Iran saxicolor Dead 86.0 2130 - Kiabi et al. 2002 Iran saxicolor Dead 66.0 2120 - Kiabi et al. 2002 Iran saxicolor Dead 2040 - Kiabi et al. 2002 Iran saxicolor Dead 1750 - Kiabi et al. 2002 Iran saxicolor Dead 2000 - Kiabi et al. 2002

Iraq 1951 saxicolor Dead M 2591 940 Harrison 1968 Iraq - saxicolor Dead - 2261 914 Harrison 1968

Oman 1947 nimr Dead - 1965 787 Harrison 1968 Oman - nimr Dead - 2007 813 Harrison 1968 Oman 2001 nimr Alive F 18.0 1600 670 OACE unpublished data Oman 2001 nimr Alive M 26.0 1570# 540 OACE unpublished data Oman 2001 nimr Alive M 34.0 2030 850 OACE unpublished data Oman 2001 nimr Alive M 24.0 1820 770 OACE unpublished data Oman 2003 nimr Alive M 18.0* - - OACE unpublished data Oman 2003 nimr Alive F 19.0 - - OACE unpublished data

Saudi Arabia 1955 nimr Dead F 1778 737 Harrison 1968 Saudi Arabia 1963 nimr Dead - 1676 660 Harrison 1968 Saudi Arabia - nimr Dead - 1600 660 Harrison 1968

Sinai 1900 jarvisi Dead - 2108 737 Harrison 1968

* 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard still remains an opportunity for in situ mals of Arabia. 2nd Edition. Harrison temporary land mammals of Egypt (in- conservation. In Oman the situation is Zoological Museum Publication, Sev- cluding Sinai). Fieldiana Zool. 5, 1-579. more encouraging with ongoing conser- enoaks. Perez I., Geffen E. and Mokady O. 2006. vation programmes but the total number Hemprich F.W. and Ehrenberg, C.G. 1828- Critically Endangered Arabian leopards in the wild is likely to be less than 200. 1833. Symbolae physicae seu icones et Panthera pardus nimr in Israel: estimat- descriptiones mammalium, 1 and 2. Ber- ing population parameters using molecu- Whatever further evidence emerges lin. lar scatology. Oryx 40, 295-301. as to the distribution and subspecies sta- Ibrahim R.W. 1998. The Sinai Leopard is Pocock R. I. 1932. “The African Leopard”, tus of the leopard in the region the real- alive out there. St. Katherine Protector- pp. 543-595, Plates I-IV, Proceedings of ity is that the Arabian leopard or ‘nimr’ ate Internal Document. the scientific Meetings of the Zoological in Arabic has largely gone from the re- Ilani G. 1980. The leopards of the Judean Society of London for 1932. London. gion and if it is to survive in the wild it desert. Israel Land and Nature 6, 59-71. Qumsiyeh M. B., Amr Z. S. and Shafei will most likely be in the mountains of Ilani G. 1986. More Cats. Israel Land and D. M. 1993. Status and conservation of southern Arabia, and in particular in the Nature 12, 38. carnivores in Jordan. Mammalia 57, 55- Dhofar Mountains of Oman. Ilani G. 1988. Continuing the saga of the 62. Judean Desert Leopards. Israel Land and Saleh M. A., Salim M. I. B. and Bedare Nature 13, 144-145. S. M. 1995. Ecological Survey of South References Ilani G. 1990. Leopard Panthera pardus in Sinai Protected Areas – Land Vertebrates. Al Ansari A., Al-Khayat A., Spalton J.A., Israel. Cat News 12, 4-5. Internal Publication Al Azhar University, Al-Dafry K. and Al-Zadjali S. 2005. Jongbloed M. 2001. Working for Wildlife. Egypt. The molecular genetics of the Arabian Barkers Trident Communications, Lon- Sanborn C. C. and Hoogstraal H. 1953. leopard: A preliminary study. Poster pre- don. Some mammals of Yemen and their ecto- sented at the joint annual meeting of the Judas J., Paillat, P., Khoja, A. & Boug, A. parasites. Fieldiana Zool. 34, 229-252. International Society for Molecular Biol- 2006. Status of the Arabian Leopard in Shoemaker A. H. 1997. The status of the ogy and Evolution and the Genetics So- Saudi Arabia. Cat News Special Issue leopard, Panthera pardus, in nature: A ciety of Australasia, New Zealand, 19-23 No. 1, 11-18. country by country Analysis. Unpub- June, 2005. Kiabi B. H., Dareshouri B. F., Ghaemi R. lished report. Riverbanks Zoological Al-Johany A. M. H. 2007. Distribution and A. and Jahanshahi M. 2002. Population Park, P.O. Box 1060, Columbia, SC conservation of the Arabian leopard Pan- status of the Persian Leopard (Panthera 29202, USA. thera pardus nimr in Saudi Arabia. Jour- pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927) in Iran. Spalton J. A. 1999. Camera-traps for carni- nal of Arid Environments 68, 20-30. Zoology in the Middle East 26, 41–47. vore surveys. Saint Katherine Protector- Al Jumaily M., Mallon, D. P., Naher A. K. Lagrot I. and Lagrot J-F. 1999. Leopard in ate Internal Report. and Thowabeh N. 2006. Status report the Arabian Peninsula. Cat News 30, 21- Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999. The sta- on Arabian leopard in Yemen. Cat News 22. tus of the Arabian leopard in Oman: First Special Issue No. 1, 20-25. Llewellyn-Smith R. E. 2002. The Ru’us results of the Arabian leopard survey. In Biquand S. 1990. Short review of the status al-Jibal mountains of Ras al-Khaimah – The Natural History of Oman: A Fest- of the Arabian leopard, Panthera pardus considerations for and against establish- schrift for Michael Gallagher (eds M. nimr, in the Arabian Peninsula. Unpub- ing a protected area. Tribulus 12, 15-19. Fisher, S.A. Ghazanfar and J. A. Spal- lished Report of NWRC. Taif, Saudi Mendelssohn H. 1990. The Anatolian leo- ton), Pp. 147-160. Backhuys Publishers, Arabia. pard (Panthera pardus tulliana). Felid Leiden. Borner M. 1977. Leopards in Western Tur- 4, 6. Spalton J. A., Al Hikmani H. M., Willis D. key. Oryx 14, 26-30. Miththapala S., Seidensticker J. and O’Brien and Bait Said, A.S. 2006a. Critically En- Budd K. 2003. Arabian Leopard Regional S. J. 1996. Phylogeographic subspecies dangered Arabian leopards Panthera par- Studbook. Breeding Centre for Endan- recognition in leopards (Panthera pardus nimr persist in the Jabal Samhan Na- gered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. dus): molecular genetic variation. Con- ture Reserve, Oman. Oryx 40, 287-294. EPAA 2000. CAMP for Arabian Carnivores serv. Biol. 10, 1115-1132. Spalton J. A., Al Hikmani H. M., Jahdhami, & PHVA for the Arabian Leopard and Nader I. 1996. Distribution and status of five M. H., Ibrahim, A. A. A., Bait Said A. S. Tahr. Final Report. Breeding Centre for species of predators in Saudi Arabia. J. and Willis D. 2006b. Status of the Ara- Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. Wildl. Res. 1, 210-214. bian Leopard Panthera pardus nimr in EPAA 2003. CAMP for the Fauna of Arabia, Nader I. 1989. Rare and endangered mam- the Sultanate of Oman. Cat News Special 23-26 February 2003 Mammal Briefing mals of Saudi Arabia. In Wildlife Con- Issue No. 1, 26-32. Book. Breeding Centre for Endangered servation and Development in Saudi Stuart C. &. and Stuart T. 1995. Mammals of Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. Arabia. Proceedings of the first Sympo- the UAE mountains. Tribulus 5, 20-21. Gasperetti J., Harrison D.L. and Buttiker W. sium, Riyadh February 1987. Eds. Ab- Thomas B. 1932. Arabia Felix. Jonathan 1985. The Carnivora of Arabia. Fauna of dulaziz H. Abu-Zinada, P. D. Goriup and Cape, London. Saudi Arabia 7, 397-461. I. A. Nader. NCWCD Publication No.3. Uphyrkina O., Johnson W. E., Quigley H. Hardy E. 1947. The Palestine leopard. Soc. pp. 220-233. Riyadh. Miquelle D., Marker L., Bush M. and Preserv. Fauna Empire 55, 16-20. Nowell K. and Jackson P. (eds). 1996. Wild O’Brien S. J. 2001. Phylogenetics, ge- IUCN 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threat- Cats: Status Survey and Conservation nome diversity and origin of modern ened Species. Online www.redlist.org Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist leopard, Panthera pardus. Molecular Downloaded on 25 October 2005. Group, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Ecology 10, 2617-2633. Harrison D. L. 1968. The Mammals of Obadi N. A. 1993. [Animals of Yemen: Usher-Smith J. H. 1985. Report on the Sala- Arabia. Vol. 2. Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Mammals.] Vol. 1. Obadi Publication lah leopard expeditions between January Hyracoidea. Ernest Benn Ltd., London. Centre. (In Arabic) 16th and May 5th 1985. Report to the Harrison D. L. and Bates P. J. J. 1991. Mam- Osborn D. J. and Helmy I. 1980. The con- Government of Oman.

2006 The Leopard in Jordan

Mayas Qarqaz1 and Mohammed Abu Baker2

1 The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. P.O. Box 1215 Amman 11941 Jordan. Current address: Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2 Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science & Technology. P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110 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΁ Ω΍Ϊϋ· ϢΗϭ ˬϥΩέϷ΍ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΓΪϫΎθϣ ϰϟ·ήϴθΗ ϲΘϟ΍ ήϳέΎϘΘϟ΍ Ϧϣ ΪϳΪόϟ΍ ϙΎϨϫ .ϥΩέϷ΍ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΩϮΟϭ ΪϛΆΗ Ε΍ήηΆϣ Δϳ΃ ΩΎΠϳ· ϲϓ ΍ήΧΆϣ ϪΑ ϡΎϴϘϟ΍ ϢΗ ϲϧ΍Ϊϴϣ ΢δϣ ήΧ΁ Ϟθϓ Ϊϗϭ ˬ1987

Distribution Leopards were reported as more common 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 leopard killed between Ramallah and Em- maus. Another animal was killed on the Palestinian-Lebanese frontier and Amman a cub was secured near Safad, west of Lake Galilee (Hardy 1947, Qumsiyeh 1996, Qumsiyeh et al. 1993). Hardy (1947) stated that leopards still inhabited the wadi south of Petra and Wadi Zarqa Ma’en as well as an individual Kingdom shot at Ain Ghidyan, north of Aqaba. of Jordan Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Harrison (1968) reported a specimen shot west of Ma’an. Lehmann (1965) reported several observations west of the Dead Sea. A leopard was killed by a Bedouin in Wadi Darajah, in the desert east of the Dead Sea in Octo- Fig. 1. Former distribution of leopard in Jordan. Presumed former range (green), 1987 record (yellow dot) and historical records (blue dots). ber 1965 (Blake 1966). Clarke (1977) listed the following localities as previous reports of the leopard from Jordan; Petra, Wadi Zarqa Ma’en, Ain el Taba, Leopards became rare after the turn have become rare, especially in the Ain Buweirdeh, and Ma’an. The lat- of the twentieth century and by the sec- second half of the 20th century. est report of the leopard came from an ond half of the century it was almost observation in the Tafilah area where it extinct from Jordan. Major causes of Habitat attacked and killed sheep during Feb- extinction are habitat loss, hunting and Three protected areas totaling 1,300 ruary 1987 (Amr & Disi 1988, Qumsi- reduced prey availability. Habitat loss km2 (Wadi Rum, Dana, and Wadi Mu- yeh et al. 1993). Figure 1 shows these is mainly due to the rapid increase in jib) are sited along the historical range localities. Sporadic local reports have the human population and develop- of the leopard, and a fourth is pro- been received since then, possibly re- ment projects associated with this posed. ferring to vagrants, but remain uncon- growth. Hunting has been a feature for firmed. A field visit by the authors in millennia for sport and out of fear for Prey 2005 with local rangers failed to find man and his domestic animals. Most Nubian ibex Capra nubiana occur any signs of leopard presence. large-size prey items for the leopard in Wadi Mujib Wildlife Reserve and

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard Wadi Rum Protected Area. Mountain gazelle Gazella gazella is now considered extinct in Jordan. Historical range of the species is along the western mountain range bordering the Rift Val- ley. A small number of dorcas gazelles Gazella dorcas occur in Wadi Araba and Wadi Rum Desert in the south of the country. Other possible prey items inhabiting the same historical range of the leopard include rock hyrax Pro- cavia capensis, and Cape hare Lepus capensis.

Legal Status Leopards are protected by law. Ibex and all gazelle species are also strictly protected.

Conflicts and Public Awareness Leopards were hunted for different Fig. 2. A leopard trap (called margabah by the local population) Eastern Desert – Jordan reasons. According to interviews with (Photo M. Qarqaz). local people who live in areas where leopards used to exist, the main reason have been rumours of leopards cross- man. for hunting was related to the social ing the borders from the Saudi side and Hardy E. 1947. The Palestine leopard. So- traditions at that time. A person who Palestine, but a recent short field visit ciety for the Preservation of the Fauna could hunt or kill a leopard would be could not confirm these. However, in of the Empire 55, 16-20. acknowledged by the tribe as a distin- one area close to Dana Nature Reserve Harrison D. L. 1968. The Mammals of Ara- guished and brave man. in Tafilah, habitats are still relatively bia, Vol II, Ernest Benn Ltd., London. Qumsiyeh M. B. Mammals of the Holy In 1999, a local guide from Wadi untouched and seem to be very suita- Land. Texas Tech Univ. Press, Lub- Rum showed us a leopard trap, known ble for leopards due to the rugged land- bock. locally as margabah (Fig. 2) that was scape and presence of wadis and rocky Qumsiyeh M. B., Amr Z. S. and Shafei D. used by his grandfather to catch leop- cliffs which might provide very good M. 1993. Status and conservation of ards. The trap was made of stones and shelter and forage for leopards. This is carnivores in Jordan. Mammalia, 57, had two openings. The bait hung from also the area where the last sighting of 55-62. the middle of the trap and when the leopards came from. It is recommend- Tristram H. B. 1866. Report on the mam- leopard tried to take the bait, the stone ed to survey this area thoroughly and mals of Palestine. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lon- doors of the trap closed and trapped the place some camera traps if possible. don, 1866, 84-93. leopard inside. Tristram H. B. 1888. The Survey of West- ern Palestine. The Fauna and Flora of References: Palestine. Committee of the Palestine People and Institutions Aharoni J. 1930. Die Säugetiere Palästinas. Exploration Fund Publishers, London. The Royal Society for Conservation Zeit. Säugetierk. 5, 327-343. von Lehmann E. 1965. Über die Säugetiere of Nature (RSCN) is responsible for Amr Z. S. and Disi A. 1988. Jordanian im Waldgebiet NW Syrien. Sitz. Ges. establishment and management of pro- mammals acquired by the Jordan Uni- Nat. Fr. Berlin (N.F.), 5, 22-38. tected areas, research, cooperation with versity Natural History Museum. Jordan international agencies, enforcement of University Publications, Amman. Blake I. A. 1966. A leopard in the wilder- wildlife protection laws and adminis- ness of Judea, Jordan. IUCN Bulletin tration of hunting. 18, 7. Clarke J. E. 1977. A preliminary report of Recommendations Jordan’s mammals, The Royal Society During the past couple of years there for the Conservation of Nature, Am-

10 2006 Status of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia

Jacky Judas1, P. Paillat1, A. Khoja2 & Ahmed Boug2

1 National Avian Research Center, EAD, PO Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2 National Wildlife Research Center, PO Box 1086 Taif, 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 livestock 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 distribution of the Leopard, and to develop ex situ and in situ conservation programs.

ΔϳΩϮόδϟ΍ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ϊοϭ ϕϮΒϟ΍ ΪϤΣ΃ϭ ϪΟϮΧ ϦϤΣήϟ΍ΪΒϋ ˬ ΕϻΎΑ ϚϳήΗΎΑ ˬα΍ΩϮΟ ϲϛΎΟ :κΨϠϤϟ΍ ήϬψϳϭ .ΎϬϨϣ ΓήϴΒϛ ΕΎΣΎδϣ ϲτϐϳ Ϫϧ΃ ϞϤΘΤϤϟ΍ Ϧϣ ΔϳΩϮόδϟ΍ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ έϮϤϨϠϟ ϲΨϳέΎΘϟ΍ ϲϓ΍ήϐΠϟ΍ ϊϳίϮΘϟ΍ ήθϋ ϊγΎΘϟ΍ ϥήϘϟ΍ Δϳ΍ΪΑ άϨϣ %90 ΔΒδϨΑ ΎϬόϳίϮΗ έΎδΤϧ΍ ϰϟ΍ ϼϴϣ ΔϴϟΎΤϟ΍ ΕϼϴΠδΘϟ΍ϭ ΓέΩΎϨϟ΍ ΔϴΨϳέΎΘϟ΍ Ε΍έΎηϺϟ ϞϴϠΤΘϟ΍ .ΔϴοΎϤϟ΍ ΔϨγ ήθϋ ΔδϤΨϟ΍ ϝϼΧ %10 ϲϟ΍ϮΤΑ έΎθΘϧϼϟ ϱϮϨγ νΎϔΨϧ΍ ϝΪόϤΑ .ϱΩϼϴϤϟ΍ ϦϴΘϘτϨϣ ϲϓ ωίϮΘΗϭ .ΎϫΪϴϛ΄Η ϦϜϤϳ ςϘϓ ΔόΑέ΃ ΎϬϨϣ .ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ΪΟ΍ϮΗ Ϧϋ ΓέΎη· 19 ϞΠγ ϡ2003-1998 Ϧϣ ΓήΘϔϟ΍ ϝϼΧ Ϧϣ ΔϴϟΎϋ ΔϓΎΜϛ ήϓϮΗ ϊϗϮΘϳ ΚϴΣ ˬ(ϡ2400-600 ) ΎϬΑ΃ϭ ΔΣΎΒϟ΍ ϦϴΑ ήϴδϋ ϝΎΒΟ Ϟγϼδϟ ΔϴϠΒΠϟ΍ Ε΍έΪΤϨϤϟ΍ (1) ϦϴΘϴδϴ΋έ ΔϓΎΜϛ νΎϔΨϧ΍ ϝΎϤΘΣ΍ ΚϴΣ ( ϡ2000 ϲϟ΍ϮΣ) ΔϨϳΪϤϟ΍ ϝΎϤη ϲϓ ΔϓΎΠϟ΍ ίΎΠΤϟ΍ ϝΎΒΟ ϲϓ (2) .ΔϤ΋΍Ϊϟ΍ ϩΎϴϤϟ΍ ϊΑΎϨϣ Ώήϗ β΋΍ήϔϟ΍ ΕέΪϗ .ΔϘΑΎγ ΕΎγ΍έΩ Ϧϣ ΔϔϠΘΨϣ ΕΎΌϴΑ ϲϓ ϯήΧϷ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ Ϧϣ ΕΎϋϮϤΠϤϟ ΔϓΎΜϜϟ΍ϭ ϙήΤΘϟ΍ ΕΎϋΎτϗ ϰϠϋ ΍ΩΎϨΘγ΍ϭ .β΋΍ήϔϟ΍ .2Ϣϛ19.635 -4000 ϦϴΑ ΕΎΣΎδϣ ϲϓ ήϤϧ 425-60 ϦϴΑ ϲΒϳήϘΗ ϞϜθΑ ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϟ΍ Ω΍Ϊϋ΃ .ϡ1998 Ϧϣ ΔϨγ 11.3˰Α έΪϗ ΎϬο΍ήϘϧ΍ Δϳ΍ΪΒϟ ςγϮΘϣ Ϧϣί ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ ϲϓ έϮϤϨϠϟ ΓΎϴΤϠϟ ΔϠΑΎϘϟ΍ ΕΎϋϮϤΠϤϠϟ ΕϼϴϠΤΗ ΕΩΪΣ Ϊϗϭ ΔϴΌϴΒϟ΍ ΕΎϛΎϬΘϧϻ΍ϭ ˬή΋ΎΠϟ΍ ϲϋήϟ΍ ΓΩΎϳίϭ ˬΓήηΎΒϤϟ΍ ΓΎϧΎόϤϠϟϭ ˬΎϫέϮϫΪΗϭ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ΍ ΖΘϔΘΑ ϲγΎγ΃ ϞϜθΑ ςΒΗήϣ έΎδΤϧϻ΍ ϞϣΎϛ ϰϠϋ ήΛ΃ ΎϤϣ ˬϲ΋ΎϴΣϻ΍ ωϮϨΘϟ΍ ϥ΍ΪϘϓ Ϧϣ ϢϗΎϓ ϚϟΫ Ϟϛ ˬϡ1970 ΔϳΩϼϴϤϟ΍ ΕΎϴϨϴόΒδϟ΍ Ϧϣ ϕήτϟ΍ ˯Ύθϧ· ήΒϋ Δϴ΋ΎϨϟ΍ ϖσΎϨϤϠϟ ϞϳΪΒΘϟ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ϊϓΩ Ϫϧ΃ ϞϤΘΤϤϟ΍ Ϧϣ ϱάϟ΍ϭ ˬΔϴΑήόϟ΍ έϮϤϨϠϟ ϊϳίϮΘϟ΍ ϕΎτϧ ϞϣΎϛ ϲϓ β΋΍ήϔϟ΍ ήϓϮΗ ξϔΨϧ΍ϭ ˬΔϴ΋΍άϐϟ΍ ΔϠδϠδϟ΍ Ϧϣ ΎϬϓ΍ΪϬΘγ΍ϭ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ϊϣ ϲΒόθϟ΍ ϒσΎόΘϟ΍ νΎϔΨϧ΍ Ϧϣ ϚϟΫ Ω΍ί .ϯήΧϷ΍ Δδϧ΄ΘδϤϟ΍ ΕΎϧ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ϭ ϲη΍ϮϤϟ΍ ϩΎΠΗΎΑ ΎϬ΋΍άϏ ΔΣΎδϤϟ ΔϴϤΤϤϟ΍ ϖσΎϨϤϟ΍ ΔΣΎδϣ ωΎϔΗέ΍ Ϧϣ ϢϏήϟΎΑϭ .ΔϳΩϮόδϟ΍ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ ΔϤψϧ΃ ϖϓϭ ΔϴϤΤϣ έϮϤϨϟ΍ .ϦϴϴϠΤϤϟ΍ ϥΎϜδϟ΍ ΕΎϴλϮΘϟ΍ ΰϛήΗ .έϮϤϨϠϟ ϲϓ΍ήϐΠϟ΍ ϊϳίϮΘϠϟ ΔϴϘΒΘϤϟ΍ ϖσΎϨϤϟ΍ ϲϓ ΎϬϨϣ ΓέΪϧ ϙΎϨϫ ϥΈϓ ( ΔϴϠϜϟ΍ ΔΣΎδϤϟ΍ Ϧϣ %4.1 ) ΔϜϠϤϤϟ΍ Ξϣ΍ήΑ ήϳϮτΘϟϭ ϲϓ΍ήϐΠϟ΍ ΎϬόϳίϮΗ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣϭ ϲϟΎΤϟ΍ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ϊοϭ ήϳήϘΗ ΚϳΪΤΘϟ ΔϴϠϘΣ ΕΎΣϮδϣ ˯΍ήΟϹ ΔγΎϤϟ΍ ΔΟΎΤϟ΍ ϰϠϋ .ήγϷ΍ϭ ΔϳήΒϟ΍ ϲϓ ΎϬΘϳΎϤΤϟ

Status and distribution Historically, the Arabian leopard Pan- Yemen in the south (Gasperetti et al. mes composed of “nimr”) suggested thera pardus nimr was probably found 1985, Harrison & Bates 1991). Ear- that its distribution could have extended in a large part of Saudi Arabia, exclu- ly travelers on the pilgrimage route to inland as far east as the Riyadh region. ding sand dune areas (Nafud, Rub al Mecca (Lady Anne Blunt 1881, Dough- The Arabian leopard may currently Khali). Its range extended all along the ty 1888, Carruthers 1909) reported its be found in only small isolated popula- mountains bordering the Red Sea coast, presence inland in the Hail area and a tions in remote and rugged areas of the from the Jordan border in the north to review of the Saudi toponymy (site na- western Sarawat and Hijaz Mountains.

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 11 edge of the distribution range (Brown 1984, Caughley et al. 1988), the potential leopard population in 1998 was estimated to range between 60 and 425 individuals. Based on the distribution ranges estimated for different periods (Judas et al. 2004), the leopard’s range has decreased by around 90 % since the beginning of the 19th century with an annual rate of range loss close to 10% in the last 15 years. With such a rate of decrease, the potential population size in 2004 could range between 16 and 111 individuals for the whole of Saudi Ara- bia. Population viability analyses using Vortex 8.42 (Lacy et al. 2001) projected a mean time to first extinction of 11.3 years as from 1998, that is, two years from now.

Threats The decrease in Arabian leopard popu- Fig. 1. Distribution change of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of the lations is mainly due to habitat fragmen- 19th century to 1998. Light yellow: distribution at the beginning of the 19th century; middle 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 regularly 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 undoubtedly 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 13 also provides a legal framework since hunting and wood cutting are prohibited inside them. Sixteen Protected Areas have been created so far, mainly terrestrial, covering 90,017 km2, i.e. 4.1 % of the country’s area. However, the former presence of leopards has only been revealed in Raydah and Jebel Shadah, covering 9 km2 and 50 km2 respectively.

Prey species The diet of the Arabian Leopard has never 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 importance, 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 mainly 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 melanocephala 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 sometimes scavenge. A local Bedu mentioned 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 order 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 15 Table 1. Origin of Arabian Leopards acquired by the NWRC Studbook Birth Age Micro-chip Name Origin Place of capture Event Date Sex reference date (years) stdbk #20 00-0070-012E Rachid wild Wadi Oshar (ev. Yemen) 16.05.97 ~1996 M 10 transfer to Sharjah 06.05.03 stdbk #23 00-0070-02DF Al-Jezira wild Yemen (Wa‘ada) 22.07.98 ~1995 M 11- 12 transfer to Sharjah 20.11.00 return to Taïf 05.05.03 stdbk #28 00-01C70FD6 Lina captive BCEAW birth 18.01.00 18.01.00 F 7 transfer fo NWRC 30.04.06 stdbk #30 00-0070-06E7 Aicha wild ? 28.04.00 Feb-99 F 8 stdbk #46 00-01CD-B059 Kadeeja wild ? 22.04.01 ~1991 F 16 transfer to Sharjah 06.05.03 stdbk #49 00-01CE-3DE4 Samtah wild Jizan area (ev. Yemen) 21.05.02 ~1999 F 8 transfer to Sharjah 30.04.06 stbk #57 00-060D-561D Morkel captive BCEAW birth 16.05.03 16.05.03 M 3 transfer to NWRC 30.04.06 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 collected, 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 upon 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 17 References Abuzinada A. H. 2003. The role of protected areas in conserving biological diversity in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Arid Environments 54, 39-45. Al-Johany A. M. H. 2007. Distribution and conservation of the Arabian leopard Pan- thera pardus nimr in Saudi Arabia. Jour- nal of Arid Environments 68, 20-30. Biquand S. and Boug A. 1989. Protection of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia. Unpublished report, NWRC, Taif. Biquand S., Biquand-Guyot V. and Boug, A. 1989. Study on Papio hamadryas in Saudi Arabia. The problem of commen- salisms. Report, NWRC, Taif, 284 pp. Biquand S., Boug A. and Gaucher P. 1990. Field reconnaissance survey of southern Hijaz. Report, NWRC, Taif, 37 pp. Biquand S. and Boug A. 1992. An update of leopard status in Al Fiqrah and recommendations for immediate action. Re- port, NWRC, Taif. 4 pp. Fig. 7. Arabian leopard Rashid from the National Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC) in Blunt A. 1881. A pilgrimage to Nejd. London Ta’if, Saudi Arabia on breeding loan in the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian (1986). 2 vols. (cited in Nader 1996) Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE (Photo J. Edmonds). Bothma J. du P. and Le Riche E. A. N. 1984. Aspects of the ecology and the behaviour of the Leopard Panthera pardus in the scat analysis of hairs for prey identifi- breeding programme could be used to Kalahari desert. Koedoe (suppl.), 259- cation, to collect and freeze semen for make the Saudi public aware of leopard 279. genetic management of captive animals conservation, and to collect funds. Brown J. H. 1984. On the relationship bet- and conservation of genetic diversity, ween abundance and distribution of spe- and to improve knowledge of reproduc- Management plan & long term conser- cies. American Naturalist 124, 255-279. tion, physiology, pathology, behaviour vation strategy Budd K. 1999. Short survey on the Arabian Leopard in the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- in captivity (Sutherland 1998, Joubert A management plan should include benefits for local communities with re- bia. Report, BCEAW Sharjah – NWRC 2001). Taif, 9 pp. placement of activities that disrupt eco- Carruthers D. 1909. Big game of Syria, Pa- Political support logical processes by others that preserve lestine and Sinai. The Field, London 114, Numerous efforts should be made at the habitats or restore them. Trade-off bet- 1135-1136. political level to reinforce legislation, ween social, economic and ecological Caughley G., Grice D., Barker R. and Brown to create mechanisms of policy imple- interests is necessary. Protected Area B. 1984. The edge of the range. Journal mentation and fund raising. All national management should involve local peo- of Animal Ecology 57, 771-785. institutions involved in land manage- ple by creating a consultative committee Child G. and Grainger J. 1990. A system plan for protected areas for wildlife conserva- ment or whose activities affect leopard of local representatives for bottom-up regulation in harmony with top-down tion and sustainable rural development in conservation, have to be approached, Saudi Arabia. NCWCD – IUCN. cooperative actions reinforced and in- ones. The socio-economic importance Child G. 2003. Setting and achieving objec- formation exchange increased. Leopard of biodiversity has to be assessed to de- tives for conserving biological diversity conservation in Saudi Arabia also re- fine a national programme of sustainab- in arid environments. Journal of Arid En- quires the support of international insti- le rural development (Child 2003). This vironments 54, 47-54. tutions or NGOs to intercede with local should include maintenance of ecologi- Collenette S. 1999. Wildflowers of Saudi communities. cal productivity, a principle underlying Arabia. NCWCD, Riyadh. all sustainable management plans. Effi- Doughty C. M. 1888. Travels in Arabia De- serta. 2 Vols. Cambridge Univ. Press. Public awareness ciency of implemented measures has to be controlled (adaptive management). Edmonds J. A., Budd K. J. and Gross C. Public awareness programs have to be 2002. Status of the Arabian leopard Pan- initiated and developed in “leopard are- thera pardus nimr in the United Arab as”, to involve local people in a clearly Animals in captivity Emirates. Report, BCEAW, Sharjah. defined strategy. Brochures mentioning Seven leopards have been acquired by Espie I. W. and Bertschinger H. 2001. Sug- the high conservation profile of the Ara- the NWRC during the last 7 years (Table gestions for the enclosure design for the bian leopard, its CITES position, hun- 1). Four are currently kept in NWRC, captive breeding of the Arabian Leopard ting laws in force and penalties, could and three have been loaned to BCEAW at NWRC, Saudi Arabia. 7 pp. be distributed in schools, police stations, in Sharjah (Fig. 7). Evans I. 1995. Important bird areas in the Middle East. Birdlife Conservation Se- and shops. Development of the captive

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. the Arabian Leopard in the Kingdom of life Management Congress. Pp. 622-623. Winney B., Macasero W., and Flores B. Saudi Arabia. Unpublished report, NC- Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD. 2000. Gazelle and leopards genetic stu- WCD, Riyadh. 28 pp. Nader I. 1996. Distribution and status of dies. In KKWRC bimonthly report Jan- Judas J., Paillat P., Khoja A. and Boug, A, five species of predators in Saudi Arabia. Feb 2000, 11-20. Report, KKWRC, Thu- 2004. Status of the Arabian Leopard J. Wildl. Res. 1, 210-214. mamah. Panthera pardus nimr in Saudi Arabia. Nasser I. R. and Esber I. S. 1995. Arabie Sa-

Appendix 1. Leopard records in the last 5 years (1998 – 2003) Site Latitude Longitude References Year Reliability Information type Al Atifa 19.317 42.033 Paillat & Khoja 1998 1998 u reported Malgocta near Tanumah 18.954 42.156 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 1998 u reported Bada 26.850 36.900 Budd 1999 1999 u reported Jibal Shada 19.800 41.333 Budd 1999 1999 c livestock killed Bada 26.850 36.900 Budd 1999 1999 u reported Bada 26.850 36.900 Budd 1999 1999 u reported Jibal Shada 19.800 41.333 Budd 1999 1999 u reported Jibal Ward 26.483 37.100 Joubert 2001 1999 u reported Al Atifa 19.317 42.033 Lagrot and Lagrot 1999 1999 c tracks & signs Al Atifa 19.317 42.033 Lagrot and Lagrot 1999 1999 u reported Samta 16.592 42.940 Paillat comm pers. 1999 c killed Jibal Nis 20.033 41.250 Joubert 2001 2000 u reported Wadi Khatayn 19.705 41.671 J. Judas 2002 c tracks & signs Marbble village 19.924 41.437 J. Judas 2002 u reported Tallan, wadi dava 17.390 43.170 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 2002 u reported near Jibal Shada 19.683 41.433 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 2002 u reported Jibal Nahr 26.042 38.141 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 2002 u reported Wargan 22.584 39.668 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 2002 u reported Jibal Kabkab 21.418 40.108 Rachid Ajaj Pers. comm. 2003 u reported u: unconfirmed record, c: confirmed record

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 19 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 2 3 Acre St., Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8JS, UK 3 Central Organization Control and Auditing, PO Box 151, 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 distribution 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 persecution 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 ν΍ήΘϓϻ΍ ϥ· Ύϣ΃ ˬΔϣΎϋ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ϲϫ 1990 ϡΎόϟ΍ άϨϣ ήϳέΎϘΘϟ΍ ϲϓ ΕήϬχ ϲΘϟ΍ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ έΎθΘϧ΍ϭ ΪΟ΍ϮΗ ΕϼϴΠδΗ ϊϴϤΠϓ ΕΎόϔΗήϤϠϟ ΔϴϟΎϤθϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϤϟ΍ -1 .Δδϴ΋έ ΕΎϋϮϤΠϣ βϤΧ ϲϓ ΎϬόοϭ ϦϜϤϴϓ 1990 ΪόΑ ΕήϛΫ ϲΘϟ΍ ΕϼϴΠδΘϟ΍ Ϧϣ ςγϭϷ΍ ˯ΰΠϟ΍ -2 .(ΔΠΣ ϲϓ ήϤη Ϟϔϗ ϰϟ· ϻϮλϭϭ ΔϳΩϮόδϟ΍ ΩϭΪΤϟ΍ ϰϟ· ΍Ω΍ΪΘϣ΍ ΓΪόλϭ ΔϋΩ΍ϭ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ΍ ϊϣ έϮϜϟ΍ ϰϟ· ϥΎϓΩέ Ϧϣ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ΍ ΔϴΑϮϨΠϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϤϟ΍ -3 .(ΔϤϳέ ϞΒΟϭ ωήΑ ϞΒΟϭ ΔϤϴΤϟ΍ ) ΔϴΑήϐϟ΍ ΕΎόϔΗήϤϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϣ -5 .(ΕϮϣήπΣ ϱΩ΍ϭ ϞϤΘΤϤϟ΍ Ϧϣϭ ήΠΣ ϱΩ΍ϭ) ϰτγϮϟ΍ ΔϘτϨϤϟ΍ -4 .(ΰόΗ ϰϟ· ΎΑήϏ ΎϫΩ΍ΪΘϣ΍ ϝΎϤΘΣ΍ .ΩϼΒϟ΍ ϕήη ϊϘΗ ϲΘϟ΍ ΓήϬϤϟ΍ ΕΎγ΍έΪΑ ϡΎϴϘϠϟ ΔΤϠϣ ΔΟΎΤϟ΍ ϥΈϓ ϦϤϴϟ΍ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΓΎϴΣ ΐϧ΍ϮΟ ϒϠΘΨϣ Ϧϋ ΔϠϣΎϛ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ήϓϮΗ ϡΪόϟ ΍ήψϧ ΫΎΨΗϻ ΔΤϠϣ ΔΟΎΣ ϙΎϨϫ ϥΈϓ ΓήϴΜϛ Ε΍ΪϳΪϬΗ ϪΟ΍Ϯϳ ήϤϨϟ΍ ϥϷ ΍ήψϧϭ .ϥ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ ΍άϬϟ ϲϟΎΤϟ΍ ϊοϮϟ΍ ΪϳΪΤΘϟ ΔϴϠϘΣ ϲΘϟ΍ ΕΎϧ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ ΩΎϴτλ΍ -1 :ϲϠϳ Ύϣ Δδϴ΋ήϟ΍ Ε΍ΪϳΪϬΘϟ΍ ϞϤθΗ ϭ ˬϯϮμϘϟ΍ ΔϋήδϟΎΑ ϪΘϳΎϤΤϟ Δϣίϼϟ΍ ήϴΑ΍ΪΘϟ΍ ϩάϫ ϰϠϋ ΓήτϴδϠϟϭ .ΎϬϴϓ ζϴόϳ ϲΘϟ΍ ΕΎΌϴΒϟ΍ έϮϫΪΗ -3 ˬήϤϨϠϟ ήηΎΒϤϟ΍ ϞΘϘϟ΍ -2 ˬΔόϴΒτϟ΍ ϲϓ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΎϬϴϠϋ ϯάϐΘϳ -2 .Ϫδ΋΍ήϔϟϭ ήϤϨϠϟ ϲϟΎΤϟ΍ ϊοϮϟ΍ ΪϳΪΤΗ -1 :ΔϴΗϵ΍ ΕΎϳϮϟϭϷ΍ ϖϴΒτΗ ΐΠϳ ϪϧΈϓ ΔΑϮϠτϤϟ΍ ΔϋήδϟΎΑ Ε΍ΩΪϬϤϟ΍ 4 .ΔϳϮϧΎΜϟ΍ ϪΗΎόϤΠΗ ΪϳΪΤΗ ΩήΠϤΑ Δϳέϭήπϟ΍ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ΍ ϞΒγ ΫΎΨΗ΍ -3 ..ΎϬ˰γήΘϔϳ ϲΘϟ΍ ΕΎϧ΍ϮϴΤϠϟϭ Ϫϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ΍ ήϴϓϮΗ -6 .ήγϷ΍ ϲϓ έΎΜϛϹ΍ Ξϣ΍ήΑ ήϳϮτΗ -5 .ΔϳΎϤΤϟ΍ ΔϴΠϴΗ΍ήΘγ΍ ϊοϮϟ ϦϴμμΨΘϤϟ΍ Ϧϣ ϞϤϋ ΔϋϮϤΠϣ ˯Ύθϧ· - .ϩΩΎϴτλΎΑ ϊϴΠθΘϟ΍ ϡΪϋ -7 .ϯΪϤϟ΍ ΓΪϴόΑ ΔϴϋϮΗϭ ϢϴϠόΗ Ξϣ΍ήΒΑ ˯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 specimens 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 impossible to estimate accurately the number of leopards captured and sold or exported. Increasing public awareness work may be having some effect in limiting the extent 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 population increasingly impact upon the environment 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 individuals 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 western highlands was described by Lagrot & Lagrot (1999) as a dry, rocky mountain 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 cooperation 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 required includes basic habitat parameters; 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 presence are found. Surveys should uti- lise the full range of field techniques to accelerate data collection: sign surveys (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.

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 25 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 2 Directorate General of Royal Farms & Gardens, Royal Court Affairs, PO Box 787, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman 3 Directorate General of Environment, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment & Water Resources, PO Box 2035, Salalah 211, Sultanate of Oman 4 PO Box 238, Al Khuwair 133, Muscat, 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 satellite 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

κΨϠϣ

Ϧϣ ϰϔΘΧ΍ ϡ1976 ϡΎϋ ϲѧϓϭ .ϥΎѧϤ˵ϋϥΎѧϤϋ ΔϨτϠδѧϟ ΔϴѧϠΒΠϟ΍ Ϟγϼδѧϟ΍ ϒϠΘѧΨϣ ϲѧϓ ϲѧοΎϤϟ΍ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ εΎѧϋ ϻ Ϫϧ΃ ϊϟΎτϟ΍ ϦϤϳ Ϧϣϭ .ϡ1997 ϡΎϋ άϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔψϓΎΤϣ ϲϓ Ε΍ΪϫΎθϣ Ϫϟ ϞΠδΗ Ϣϟ ΎѧϤϛ ˬήѧΠΤϟ΍ ϝΎΒѧΟ ΔϠδѧϠγ .ϡϮϴϟ΍ ϰΘΣ έΎϔχ ϝΎΒΟ Ϣψόϣ ϲϓ ζϴόϳ ϝ΍ΰϳ

Ϧϣ ΔϋϮϤΠϣ ϝϭ΃ βϴγ΄ΘΑ ϡ1985 ϡΎϋ ϲϓ ϥΎϤ˵ϋϥΎϤϋ ΔϨτϠѧγ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ϥϮμѧϟ Ε΍ϮѧτΨϟ΍ ϰѧϟϭ΃ ΫΎѧΨΗ΍ ϢѧΗ ϞΒѧѧΟ Ϧѧѧϋ ϥϼѧѧϋϹ΍ ϢѧѧΗ ΚϴѧѧΣ ϡ1997 ϡΎѧѧϋ ϲѧѧϓ ϯήѧѧΧ΃ ΔѧѧϣΎϫ Ε΍ϮѧѧτΧ 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 ϙΎδϣϹ΍ϭ ΔϴΨϓ Ε΍ήϴϣΎϜϟΎΑ έϮϤϨϟ΍ ήϳϮμΗϭ Δϴϧ΍Ϊϴϣ ΕΎΣϮδϣ ˯΍ήΟ· ϦϴΤϟ΍ ϚϟΫ άϨѧϣ ϢѧΗ ΚϴѧΣ ˬΔϴϋΎϨτλϻ΍ έΎϤϗϷΎΑ Ύ˱ϴϜϠγϻϴϜϠγϻ ΎϬσΎΒѧΗέ΍ ϖϳήѧσ Ϧѧϋ Δϴ΋Ύπѧϓ ΔѧΣϼϣ ΔѧϤψϧ΃ ϰѧϠϋ ΔϳϮΘѧΤϣ ϕ΍Ϯѧσ΄Α ΎϬϘϳϮѧτΗϭ ϥ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ ΍άϫ ϮΤϧ έΎψϧϷ΍ ϪϴΟϮΗ ϲϓ ΪϋΎγϭ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΔϴΟϮϟϮϜϳ΃ ϝϮΣ ΔϴγΎγ΃ ΕΎϣϮϠόϣ ήѧϓϭ ϱάѧϟ΍ ήѧϣϷ΍ .έΩΎϨϟ΍ ϱήΒϟ΍

ϝ΍ΰϳ ϻ ήϣϷ΍ ϥ΃ ϻ· ˬήϤϨϟ΍ ί΍ήΑ ΕΎ˱ΌΌϳΰΟ Δγ΍έΩϭ ΔϴѧΌϴΒϟ΍ ΔΣΎϴδѧϠϟ Ε΍έΩΎΒѧϣ ϲѧϟΎΤϟ΍ ϞѧϤόϟ΍ ϦϤπѧΘϳ ϦϴѧΣ ϲѧϓ ϲϓ ΔϴΑήѧόϟ΍ έϮϤϨѧϠϟ Ω΍ΪѧόΗ ήѧΧ΁ ϰѧϠϋ ΔѧψϓΎΤϤϟ΍ ΎѧϧΩέ΃ Ύѧϣ ΍Ϋ· ΔΌϳήѧΠϟ΍ Ε΍ϮѧτΨϟ΍ Ϧѧϣ ΪϳΰѧϤϟ΍ ΫΎѧΨΗ΍ ϰѧϟ· ΔѧΟΎΤΑ έϮϤϨϠϟ ΔϳΎϤΤϟ΍ Ϧϴϣ΄Η ϲϓ ω΍ήγϹ΍ ϲϫ Ε΍ϮτΨϟ΍ ϩάϫ Ϣϫ΃ ϥ΄Α Ϛηϻϭ .ϡΎϋ ϪΟϮΑ ΔϘτϨѧϤϟ΍ ϲѧϓ ΎѧϤΑέϭ ΔϨτϠδѧϟ΍ ΔϗϼΧ ήϴΑ΍ΪΗ ϊοϭ έΎΒΘϋϻ΍ ϦϴόΑ άΧϷ΍ ϊѧϣ ΔϴѧόϴΒτϟ΍ ϥΎΤϤѧγ ϞΒѧΟ ΔϴѧϤΤϣ ϲѧϓ ΐΣΎμѧϤϟ΍ ϲѧ΋ΎϴΣϷ΍ ωϮϨѧΘϟ΍ϭ .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 throughout 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 report 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 leopards 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 territory 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 persecution 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 reptiles are ubiquitous in the Dhofar mountains. 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 settlements 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 indeed present as were caracal Caracal caracal 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 leopard (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 leopard 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 satellite 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 investigate 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 investigations 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 continue with these in schools and public forums. Social Survey. In order to understand what the leopard means to the local people 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 captive 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).

32 2006 Status of the Arabian Leopard in United Arab Emirates

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

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

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΍ Ε΍έΎѧϣϻ΍ ϲѧϓ ΔѧϳήΒϟ΍ ϲѧϓ (ήѧϤϧ αϭΩέΎѧΑ ΍ήΜϧΎѧΑ) ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ Ω΍Ϊϋ΍ ˯΍ήΒΨϟ΍ έΪϘϳ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ΕΎѧΌϴΑ ήѧΒΘόΗϭ ˬ ήѧϤϧ 10 5- ίϭΎѧΠΘϳ ϻ ΚѧϴΤΑ ΔπϔΨϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΓήϳΰΠϟ΍ ΍άѧϫ ΔѧόϴΒσ ΐδΣ ϚϟΫϭ ϥ΍ϮϴΣ 20-10 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΍ ΎѧϬϴϓ 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 ϊѧϳίϮΗ ) 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 Masafi (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 Wadi 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 caracal 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 Dubai 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 Wadi Wurayah 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 large/male caracal. The print had insect 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 Kalba (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) workshop 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). caracals. 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 Saudi Arabia 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 decreasing 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 persecution 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 camera trapping, behavioural observations and faecal sample collection. During the 18-month period only thirteen photographs 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 insects (Muir-Wright 1999). Also identified by Muir-Wright (1999) as part of the main constituent of a leopard’s diet is the Cape hare Lepus capensus cheesmani, which is still present on the plains of the UAE (Drew 2000) and Rock hyrax Procavia capensis. Rock hyrax (Fig. 11) is not a traditional prey species in the UAE as they are not endemic. They were however introduced onto the Jebel Hafit and a leopard po- Fig. 7 and 8 Evidence of the occurrence of Arabian tahr 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 fox Vulpes cana and tahr, are water dependant. Water could tant corridor for migrating leopards to White-tailed mongoose 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 Arabian gazelle 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 rodents, reptiles and even tahr for grazing ground (Fig. 12). A large 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 compensation 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 statistics (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 management by locals vary considerably from tribe to tribe. Many goat herds are free ranging, although in some areas, particularly the larger villages, the herds are sometimes kept in primitive kraals (fenced area). A small number of farmers 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).

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 Abu Dhabi. 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 subspecies. 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 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. oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. nowledge the support of His Highness Dr. 1985. The Carnivora 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 mammals, 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 lynx 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 Ungulates 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.

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 39 History of the Arabian leopard Captive Breeding Programme

Jane-Ashley Edmonds1, Kevin J. Budd1, Paul Vercammen1 and Abdulaziz al Midfa2

1 Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, PO Box 29922, Sharjah, UAE 2 Environment and Protected Areas Authority, PO Box 2926, Sharjah, UAE

The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is highly endangered and captive breeding has therefore become 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 published 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 ΓΪѧѧΟ΍ϮΘϤϟ΍ ΕΎѧѧϋϮϤΠϤϟ΍ ήѧѧΒΘόΗϭ ήѧѧϴΒϛ ϞϜθѧѧΑ ν΍ήѧѧϘϧϻ΍ 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 Ε΃ΪѧΑ ΕΎϨϴόδѧΘϟ΍ ϲѧϓϭ .1985 ϡΎѧϋ ϲϓ ϥΎϛ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϠϟ ΏΎδϧϷ΍ ΏΎΘϛ ˯ΪѧѧΒϟ΍ ϲѧѧϓ ϡΎѧѧϤΘϫϻΎΑ ˬΔϗέΎθѧѧϟ΍ ϲѧѧϓ ˬν΍ήϘϧϻΎѧѧΑ ΓΩΪѧѧϬϤϟ΍ ΕΎѧѧϧ΍ϮϴΤϟ΍ έΎѧѧΜϛϹ΍ ΰѧѧϛήϣ Ϛѧѧϟ1Ϋ ϰѧѧϠϋ ϝΎѧѧΜϣϭ ϦϴѧΑ ϖδѧϨϣ ϞϜθѧΑ ήѧγϷ΍ ϲѧϓ έΎѧΜϛϹ΍ ΞϣΎѧϧήΑ ϊѧοϭ ϰϟ· ΔΟΎΤϟ΍ ΖΤΒλ΃ϭ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ έΎΜϛ· Ξϣ΍ήΒΑ . . ΔϘτϨϤϟ΍ ϲϓ ΕΎδγΆϤϟ΍ ϒϠΘΨϣ ϞѧϤϋ εέϭ ΓΪѧϋ ϪѧΘΒϘϋ΃ ϡ1999 ϡΎѧϋ ϲϟΎѧΤϟ΍ ϪϠϜθѧΑ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ˬϥ΍ϮѧϴΤϟ΍ ΍άѧϫ ΏΎδϧ΃ ΏΎΘϛ ήθϧ ϢΗ ςϴθѧϨΗ ϲѧϓ ϢϬѧγ΃ Ύѧϣ ˬ(CAMP) ϚϟάѧΑ ΔλΎΨϟ΍ ϊϳέΎθϤϟ΍ Γέ΍Ω· ΔτΧϭ ήϤϨϟ΍ ϰϠϋ υΎϔΤϟ΍ Ξϣ΍ήΑ ϢϴϴϘΘϟ . . ϲϤϴϠϗϹ΍ ϯϮΘδϤϟ΍ ϰϠϋ ϥϭΎόΘϟ΍ Ξϣ΍ήΑ 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 ensure 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, In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), cubs born in October 2004 are also the Sharjah, UAE. She is the oldest leopard 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 breeding loan agreements between au- 2006 5 (0/1) 20 (1/0) 4 (0/0) 4 (0/2) 11 (unk)

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 41 25 ding institutes on the Arabian Peninsula and encourages cooperation between 20 20 institutes and countries. It provides data for animals that are kept and managed 15 in collections within the Arabian Penin- 10 11 sula. No Arabian leopards are yet held in captive breeding programmes outside 6 5 5 4 the Arabian Peninsula. Studbook coordinators use the stud- 0 0 book publication as a tool to recom- ADWC OMBC Sana'a Zoo BCEAW NWRC Ta'iz Zoo mend to institutes holding Arabian leopard how best to manage their captive Fig. 2. Distribution of Arabian leopard within the captive population in 2006. population to maximize total numbers in captivity, maintain genetic diversity and ultimately create or select founder 7 populations for possible reintroduction. Inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity 6 are inevitable in small isolated populations; breeding recommendations are

5 therefore made to ensure that the genetic integrity of the population is maintained. Careful pair selection and management 4 strategies are advised through the studbook. Strategies are aimed at maintai- 3 ning internationally recommended buffer requirements to be able to support a 2 population crash in the wild.

1 Current Status of the Captive Popu- lation 0 The current living population consists of ADWC Ta'izz Zoo BCEAW NWRC Sana'a Zoo 25.23 (48) leopards with six institutions Fig. 3. Distribution of represented (red) and unrepresented (blue) wild caught leopards registered in the Regional Studbook within the captive population (2006). Unrepresented animals from Abu Dhabi Wildlife (Fig. 2). Historically there are 32.32.4 Centre and National Wildlife Research Centre were transferred to the Breeding Centre (68) animals recorded in the studbook. for Endangered Arabian Wildlife at the end of the 2005 breeding season for inclusion in the breeding programme. The first litters from these animals are anticipated during the The statistics of the captive population 2006/2007 breeding season. show that there is still a large proportion of the known population that has not bred successfully. Of the current living population, 41.5 % (20) are wild caught, 22 only ten of which have reproduced in 20 ♂ ♀ captivity. To maximize genetic diversi- 18 ty in the captive population, it is criti- 16 cal that unrepresented founder animals contribute to the breeding programme. 14 Captive populations should possess at- 12 least 90 % of the known genetic diver- 10 sity of the subspecies to be able to act

Age in years 8 as a buffer for the remaining wild population. Representation of wild-caught 6 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 order 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 population growth begin to reflect the genetic diversity already held in captivity rather than depleting a tiny wild population that is not yet buffered by the captive breeding programme. As can be seen from Figure 4, a large number (64.5 %) of the leopards recorded 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 eleven leopards considered juvenile (3 Wildlife, Sharjah, UAE (Photo J. Edmonds). 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. reproductively inactive is not yet known. earliest age at which artificial hormonal De Haas van Dorsser F. J. 2006. Reproduc- tion in the Arabian leopard. PhD Disserta- The oldest known female to reproduce stimulation was attempted is three years tion, University of Cambridge, Newnham within the captive population was 16.5 of age. Artificial insemination attempts have thus far been unsuccessful in the College, Cambridge, UK. years of age. This particular female still 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- servations. 675-682. 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 when she was ~11 years of age. Harrison. D.L. 1968. The Mammals of Ara- 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 43 A Framework for the Conservation of the Arabian Leopard

Urs Breitenmoser1, David Mallon2 and Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten1

1 KORA, Thunstrasse 31, CH-3074 Muri/Bern, Switzerland , 2 3 Acre St., Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8JS, United Kingdom

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 countries, 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 baseline information (status reports), (2) definition of common goals and activities at the range level (conservation 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 management 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.

Δϛ΍ήѧη ϡΎѧϴϗ Ϧѧϣ ΪѧΑϻ ϩ˯ΎѧϘΑ ϥΎϤπϟϭ .ΝήΤϟ΍ ΪϳΪϬΘϟ΍ ϊοϭ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ Ϊόϳ ˬΔόϴΒτϟ΍ ϥϮμϟ ϲϟϭΪϟ΍ ΩΎΤΗϻ΍ ήϴϳΎόϣ ΐδΤΑ ΔѧτΨϟ΍ ϦϤπѧΘΗ .˯ΎϤϠόϟ΍ϭ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ΍ ήϴϏ ΕΎϤψϨϤϟ΍ϭ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ΍ ΕΎϬΠϟ΍ ϦϴΑ ϥϭΎόΘϟ΍ ϥϮϜϳ ϥ΃ ΐΠϳϭ ˬΎϬϴϓ ζϴόϳ ϲΘϟ΍ ϝϭΪϟ΍ ϦϴΑ ΪѧϳΪΤΗ ( )2 ˬ(Ϧϫ΍ήѧϟ΍ ϊѧοϮϟ΍ ήϳέΎѧϘΗ) ΕΎѧϣϮϠόϣ ΓΪѧϋΎϗ ϒϴϨμѧΗϭ ϊѧϤΟ ( )1 ΔѧϴΗϵ΍ Ε΍ϮτΨϟ΍ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ϥϮμϟ ΔϴΠΗ΍ήΘγϹ΍ ΔѧϟϭΩ ϞѧϜϟ ϞѧϤόϟ΍ Ε΍ϮѧτΧϭ ϡΎѧϬϤϟ΍ ΪѧϳΪΤΗ ( )3 ϭ (ϥϮμϟ΍ ΔϴΠϴΗ΍ήΘγ·) έΎθΘϧϻ΍ ϝϭΩ ϯϮΘδϣ ϰϠϋ ΔτθϧϷ΍ϭ ΔϛήΘθϤϟ΍ ϑ΍ΪϫϷ΍ ϥϮѧλ ΔϴΠϴΗ΍ήΘѧγ· ήϳϮѧτΘϟ αΎγϷ΍ ˬέ΍ΪλϹ΍ ΍άϫ ϲϓ ΓέϮθϨϤϟ΍ ˬϦϫ΍ήϟ΍ ϊοϮϟ΍ ήϳέΎϘΗ ϞΜϤΗ .(ϞϤόϟ΍ ςτΧ) έΎθΘϧϻ΍ ϝϭΩ Ϧϣ Ε΍Ϋ ΔѧϴϣϮϜΤϟ΍ ΕΎѧϬΠϟ΍ ϊѧϴϤΟ ϊѧϣ ˬΔϴϘτϨϣ ΔϴϠϜϴϫ ΎϬϴϓ ϡΪΨΘδΗ ΔϛήΘθϣ Ε΍ϮτΧ ϲϓ ΔϴΠϴΗ΍ήΘγϹ΍ ήϳϮτΗ ΐΠϳϭ ˬϯΪϤϟ΍ Δόγ΍ϭ ΔѧΒϏήϟ΍ Ϧѧϋ ΔϴΠΗ΍ήΘγϹ΍ ήΒόΗ ϥ΃ ΐΠϳϭ .ήϣϷΎΑ ϦϴϴϨόϤϟ΍ ˯΍ήΒΨϟ΍ϭ ΔϤϬϤϟ΍ ΔϴϣϮϜΤϟ΍ ήϴϏ ΕΎϤψϨϤϟ΍ϭ έΎθΘϧϻ΍ ϝϭΩ ϲϓ Δϗϼόϟ΍ ϚϟάΑϭ .Γέ΍ΩϹ΍ Ε΍ΪΣϭ ϞΜϤΗ ϲΘϟ΍ϭ ˬϝϭΪϟ΍ ϩάϫ ϲϓ ϥϮμϟ΍ ΔϴϠϤϋ ίΎΠϧ΍ϭ ΪϳΪΤΘϟ ϪϴΟϮΘϟ΍ ϡΪϘΗ ϥ΃ϭ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΫΎϘϧϹ ΔϛήΘθϤϟ΍ .ϥϮμϟ΍ ΔϴΠΗ΍ήΘγ· 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 observations, 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 effective population size is clearly below 250 individuals. Urgent conservation action is required, but is impeded by the fact that so little information on the Arabian leopard is available. Indeed, the only populations 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, conflicts and human attitudes, and yet, awareness 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

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 45 Fig. 2. Triangle of Conservation. In conservation programmes, the institutions at each of the corners play important, but different roles, which need to be coordinated. Go- vernmental organisations are responsible for legislation, law enforcement, management, and education; scientists provide (ecological) baseline knowledge and do the monitoring; non-governmental organisations are often the front-runners of conservation projects, which raise awareness, Fig. 3. Arabian Leopard Working Group at the 2006 CAMP meeting in Sharjah, UAE (Photo provide first funding and education. U. Breitenmoser).

“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- be a major reason for the decline of resents also a time scale. The vision descri- lines, and should be regularly revised 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 prey populations, changes in human at- become a model case for many other titudes, etc. Monitoring is a demanding, important co-operative conservation Monitoring time-consuming and expensive task, programmes on the Arabian Peninsula. and a particular challenge in the rugged and remote mountains of the Arabian References Peninsula. Well-planned co-operation Al Jumaily A., Mallon D. P., Nasher A. K. Result and co-ordination between countries and Thowabeh N. 2006. Status of the and agencies can however assist the Arabian leopard in Yemen. Cat News Special Issue 1, 20-25. monitoring through standardisation,

Results<>Objectives Breitenmoser U., Breitenmoser-Würsten calibration and adaptation of methods Ch., von Arx M., Zimmermann F., Mo- Decision according to the principles of stratified linari P., Molinari-Jobin A., Ryser A., monitoring (Breitenmoser et al. 2006). Siegenthaler A., Angst A., Linnell J. and Results = Co-operation between countries and Weber J.-M. 2006. Guidelines for the Objectives institutions and the principle of adaptive Monitoring of Lynx. KORA Report 33, processes go along with reporting. Both 31 pp. End of Project on national and range-wide level, pro- Edmonds J. A., Budd K. J. Vercammen P. gress and failures need to be continuous- and Al-Midfa A. 2006. History of the Arabian Leopard Captive Breeding ly assessed and necessary adaptations Fig. 5. Flowchart for the monitoring of a Programme. Cat News Special Issue 1, conservation project. Monitoring is an im- identified. On an international level, the 40-43. portant component of any conservation ac- annual conservation workshop in Shar- Ilani G. 1980. The leopards of the Judean tivity, not only to compare the (preliminary) jah would offer a perfect forum for the desert. Israel Land and Nature 6, 59-71. results with the pre-defined target, but also review of the progress in implementing Ilani G. 1990. Leopard Panthera pardus in to recognise errors. Most conservation pro- the actions defined in the Conservation Israel. Cat News 12, 4-5. grammes are adaptive processes, needing Strategy and in the Action Plans, and to Judas J., Paillat P., Khoja A. and Boug A. continuous assessment and adjustment. discuss necessary changes. 2006. Status of the Arabian leopard in The monitoring is continued as long as the Saudi Arabia. Cat News Special Issue results do not mach the objectives defined 1, 11-19. 5. Conclusions at the beginning of the project. Perez I., Geffen E. and Mokady O. 2006. The aim of strategic planning in conser- Critically Endangered Arabian leopards vation is to implement on-the-ground Panthera pardus nimr in Israel: estima- conservation actions. The development ting population parameters using mole- of 74 leopards scats collected in Jabal of strategies and plans will not save the cular scatology. Oryx 40, 295-301. Samhan NR found Arabian gazelle Arabian leopard on their own, but ac- Simberloff D. 1998. Flagships, umbrellas, (Gazella gazella) and Nubian ibex (Ca- tions in the field will. The situation of and keystones: is single-species ma- pra nubiana) to be the most important the Arabian leopard is critical, and we nagement passé in the landscape era? prey, followed by Cape hare (Lepus cannot afford to lose time. Nevertheless, Biol.Conserv. 83, 247- 257. Spalton J. A. and Al Hikmani H. M. 2006. capensis cheesmani), rock hyrax, birds, jumping into action without sound ba- The leopard in the Arabian Peninsula Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indi- seline information and without careful – distribution and subspecies status. Cat ca), Ethiopian hedgehog (Paraechinus planning and prioritisation of activities News Special Issue 1, 4-8. aethiopicus), small rodents and insects. may, in the long run, cost a lot of money Spalton J. A. and Willis D. 1999. The status Judas et al. (2006) note that in Saudi and time. In conservation, time is one of the Arabian leopard in Oman: First Arabia gazelles and ibex have become of the most difficult aspects to assess. results of the Arabian leopard survey. rare, but they assume that the still com- We most often do not understand the In Fisher M., Ghazanfar S. A. and Spal- mon hyrax and even sacred baboons dynamics of the processes well enough ton J. A. (eds.). The Natural History of (Papio hamadryas) could be important to estimate how much time we have left Oman: A Festschrift for Michael Gal- lagher. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, pp alternative prey. Obviously, the explo- and how much time we will need. We 147-160. itation of prey of such diverging size, must be prepared to act immediately Spalton J. A., Al Hikmani H. M., Jahdha- distribution, and social set-up must have and to go on for a long time. This re- mi M. H., Ibrahim A. A. A., Bait Said consequences for the leopard’s beha- quires a very firm commitment from all A. S. and Willis D. 2006. Status report viour, distribution, vulnerability to en- partners involved, including the political for the Arabian leopard in the Sultana- vironmental changes, and conflict with authorities that will have to endorse the te of Oman. Cat News Special Issue 1, livestock husbandry. Understanding the Conservation Strategy and hence place 26-32.

CAT News Special Issue 1 – Arabian Leopard 47 Cat News Special Issue No 1 2006

Contents

1. Forword by Abdulaziz A. al Midfa...... 3

2. The Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula - Distribution and Subspecies Status by J. A. Spalton and H. M. Al Hikmani...... 4

3. The Leopard in Jordan by M. Qarqaz and M. A. Baker...... 9

4. Status of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia by J. Judas, P. Paillat, A. Khoja and A. Boug...... 11

5. Status Report on Arabian Leopard in Yemen by M. Al Jumaily, D. P. Mallon, A. K. Nasher and N. Thowabeh...... 20

6. Status Report For the Arabian Leopard in the Sultanate of Oman by J. A. Spalton, H. M. Al Hikmani, M. H. Jahdhami, A. A. A. Ibrahim, A. S. Bait Said and D. Willis...... 26

7. Status of the Arabian Leopard in the United Arab Emirates by J-A. Edmonds, K. J. Budd, A. al Midfa and Ch. Gross...... 33

8. History of the Arabian Leopard Captive Breeding Programme by J.-A. Edmonds, K. J. Budd, P. Vercammen and A. al Midfa...... 40

9. A Framework For the Conservation of the Arabian Leopard by U. Breitenmoser, D. P. Mallon and Ch. Breitenmoser-Würsten...... 44