Leopard
Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr)
The Arabian leopard is classified as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List. Its population is estimated to contain fewer than 200 individuals. The small population in the Negev desert of Israel was estimated at 20 individuals in the late 1970s and is today probably extinct. In Yemen, the Arabian leopard is confirmed to occur in the Wada’a Mountains and in Hawf protected area, eastern Yemen. Leopards were recently killed in Ad Dala, southern Sana'a. The largest confirmed Arabian leopard population is found in the Dhofar Mountains of Oman with less than 100 individuals. The status in Saudi Arabia is unclear. Since the year 2000, 4 leopards are known to have been poisoned. Apart from these, hard facts are missing. Main threats to the Arabian leopard are habitat loss and fragmentation, overhunting of its prey species and killing of leopards due to livestock depredation.
