IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Spalton, J.A.; al Hikmani, H.M.; Jahdhami, M.H. | |
| Status report for the Arabian leopard in the Sultanate of Oman | |
| 2006 Cat News (Special Issue 1): 26-32 | |
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. |
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