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EPAA Sharjah: International Arabian Leopard Day Reflects a Global Commitment to Preserving a Unique Environmental Heritage
(MENAFN- Saharapr) Today, on International Arabian Leopard Day, global attention is drawn to the plight of the Arabian Leopard (Panthera Pardus Nimr), which remains Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As a flagship of the Arabian Peninsula’s unique biodiversity, the Arabian Leopard has faced severe threats from persecution, illegal trade, habitat loss, prey depletion and population fragmentation. Wild populations are only known from Oman and Yemen. In a recent and first IUCN Green Status of Species assessment (to be published in March 2025) of the Arabian leopard it was found to be Critically Depleted but with a High Potential to recover given the right conservation actions. The challenges facing the Arabian leopard and the opportunity for recovery have prompted a coordinated global response, including the United Nations’ designation of 10 February as a day of awareness and action for this iconic subspecies.
New Arabian Leopard Born at the Breeding Center
On this occasion, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, announced that the EPAA’s Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife has successfully recorded the birth of a new Arabian leopard. This marks another milestone achievement for the specialized research center in its ongoing efforts to fulfill the authority’s vision and objectives of conserving rare and endangered wildlife species, including the Arabian leopard. The center plays a crucial role in the breeding, reintroduction, and habitat restoration of this rare species by ensuring an ideal environment for its survival, providing comprehensive veterinary care, and expanding knowledge about its behavioral, veterinary, and physiological aspects. These efforts significantly contribute to supporting the broader strategy for protecting desert ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
Comprehensive Strategy Until 2030 to Enhance Survival and Recovery
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi further highlighted that as part of the intensified efforts to save the Arabian leopard, the EPAA organized a major conservation conference in October 2024, in partnership with the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. The event brought together leading experts from range countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, alongside international organizations such as the Arabian Leopard Fund. During the conference, stakeholders collaborated to update and refine the comprehensive strategy for Arabian leopard conservation, extending until 2030, ensuring a structured and effective approach to safeguarding the species and its natural habitats.
A critical outcome of the conference was the acknowledgment that in situ conservation efforts alone are no longer sufficient to secure the future of the Arabian Leopard. Experts highlighted the urgent need for an integrated approach combining in situ conservation with ex situ measures. A robust conservation breeding programme, supported by all range countries, will provide a crucial source population for reintroduction and reinforcement initiatives. This will be paired with the preparation of suitable habitats to facilitate the successful re-establishment of the species in the wild.
The establishment of a permanent Arabian Leopard Working Group was another significant milestone from the conference. This group will bring together experts and conservationists from range countries and the international community to oversee the implementation of the strategy, coordinate research on genetics and population monitoring and maintain the momentum generated by the October 2024 workshop.
“The Arabian Leopard is not only a Critically Endangered subspecies of the Leopard, it is also the most distinctive leopard world-wide. To conserve this unique flagship of the Arabian natural heritage is not only a noble task for the range countries on the Arabian Peninsula, but also indeed an ultimate responsibility for the global conservation community and humanity. Saving the Arabian Leopard will only be possible through an international concerted effort as suggested by this Strategy” said Professor Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
On this International Arabian Leopard Day, the global community is called upon to unite in support of the Arabian Leopard Conservation Strategy and to play an active role in safeguarding one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most endangered species.
New Arabian Leopard Born at the Breeding Center
On this occasion, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, announced that the EPAA’s Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife has successfully recorded the birth of a new Arabian leopard. This marks another milestone achievement for the specialized research center in its ongoing efforts to fulfill the authority’s vision and objectives of conserving rare and endangered wildlife species, including the Arabian leopard. The center plays a crucial role in the breeding, reintroduction, and habitat restoration of this rare species by ensuring an ideal environment for its survival, providing comprehensive veterinary care, and expanding knowledge about its behavioral, veterinary, and physiological aspects. These efforts significantly contribute to supporting the broader strategy for protecting desert ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
Comprehensive Strategy Until 2030 to Enhance Survival and Recovery
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi further highlighted that as part of the intensified efforts to save the Arabian leopard, the EPAA organized a major conservation conference in October 2024, in partnership with the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. The event brought together leading experts from range countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, alongside international organizations such as the Arabian Leopard Fund. During the conference, stakeholders collaborated to update and refine the comprehensive strategy for Arabian leopard conservation, extending until 2030, ensuring a structured and effective approach to safeguarding the species and its natural habitats.
A critical outcome of the conference was the acknowledgment that in situ conservation efforts alone are no longer sufficient to secure the future of the Arabian Leopard. Experts highlighted the urgent need for an integrated approach combining in situ conservation with ex situ measures. A robust conservation breeding programme, supported by all range countries, will provide a crucial source population for reintroduction and reinforcement initiatives. This will be paired with the preparation of suitable habitats to facilitate the successful re-establishment of the species in the wild.
The establishment of a permanent Arabian Leopard Working Group was another significant milestone from the conference. This group will bring together experts and conservationists from range countries and the international community to oversee the implementation of the strategy, coordinate research on genetics and population monitoring and maintain the momentum generated by the October 2024 workshop.
“The Arabian Leopard is not only a Critically Endangered subspecies of the Leopard, it is also the most distinctive leopard world-wide. To conserve this unique flagship of the Arabian natural heritage is not only a noble task for the range countries on the Arabian Peninsula, but also indeed an ultimate responsibility for the global conservation community and humanity. Saving the Arabian Leopard will only be possible through an international concerted effort as suggested by this Strategy” said Professor Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
On this International Arabian Leopard Day, the global community is called upon to unite in support of the Arabian Leopard Conservation Strategy and to play an active role in safeguarding one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most endangered species.
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