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Brki, R.; Breitenmoser, U.
Conflict in Yemen threatens the Arabian leopard
2016 Cat News (63): 37-38
The Arabian leopard _Panthera pardus nimr_ is Critically Endangered and an international conservation breeding programme has been put in place. Attempts to integrate the captive Arabian leopards in Yemen into the programme have so far failed. Currently, the ongoing civil war in Yemen not only threatens the human population, but also the largest group of leopards in captivity. Some of the most severe fighting was around the city of Taiz, leading to the neglect of the animals at Taiz Zoo. Six Arabian leopards have succumbed to starvation, but 14 males and 12 females survived, partly by feeding on their dead peers. With a ceasefire with peace talks in place and thanks to international help from a spontaneously formed Facebook Group, the situation in Yemen as whole and in Taiz Zoo in particular has stabilised, but remains fragile. The Cat SG takes this crisis to remind the range countries of the desperate plight of the Arabian leopard, who is at the verge of extinction. Our appeal is condensed in the "Arabian Leopard Manifesto".
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