IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Stanton, D.B. | |
| Yemeni Leopard Recovery Programme | |
| 2008 Wildlife Middle East (3): 2-2 | |
The Arabian leopard (_Panthera pardus nimr_) is arguably the rarest large cat on the planet. While this dubious distinction, based on a wild population of some 30 individuals, is generally given to the Amur leopard (_P.p. orientalis_), there are close to 500 Amur leopards held in zoos around the world. Wild Arabian leopards might, by the most optimistic estimates, outnumber their far-Eastern cousins by as much as six to one, but with only 50 or so Arabian leopards in captivity _P.p. nimr_ is still at least twice as scarce as _orientalis_. The most recently inaugurated leopard conservation effort in Arabia is the Yemeni Leopard Recovery Programme (YLRP), an initiative. YLRP's goal is to ensure an expanding population of wild Arabian leopards in Yemen. Employing a strategy based principally on recommendations of the IUCN Cat SG, the YLRP seeks to achieve its goal by raising public awareness about the issue of leopard conservation in Yemen, improving the breeding success of captive leopards in the Sana'a Zoo, and enacting real protection for wild leopards. This is done through the Arabian Leopard Club, an organization with elementary and secondary branches. Arabian leopards are obviously a long way from having a secure future in Yemen, but given the trajectory and momentum of the Yemeni Leopard Recovery Programme, it is fair to say that progress is being made towards this end. |
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