Successful birth of endangered Arabian leopard cubs ‘new beacon of hope’ in Saudi Arabia

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Successful birth of Arabian leopard cubs ‘new beacon of hope’ in Saudi bid to save species from extinction: Culture minister

Updated 01 August 2019
ARAB NEWS
July 31, 2019 18:09

• The news marks a significant step in the RCU’s breeding program
• During the initial 12-week period of the newborn leopards’ lives, they successfully bonded with their 10-year-old mother Hamms

ALULA: The birth of two Arabian leopard cubs has been hailed as a “new beacon of hope” in Saudia Arabia’s bid to reintroduce the critically endangered big cat back into the wild.

The Saudi Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) revealed that the male and female cubs, born on April 26 at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Center in Taif, had now been vaccinated after passing a crucial 12-week developmental milestone.

The news marks a significant step in the RCU’s breeding program to help preserve and eventually reintroduce the subspecies into the north-west of the Kingdom as part of its portfolio of Arabian Leopard Initiatives (ALI).

The commission’s charter aims to deliver a sensitive and responsible transformation of the AlUla region and protect its nature and wildlife.

During the initial 12-week period of the newborn leopards’ lives, they successfully bonded with their 10-year-old mother Hamms (which means “whisper” in Arabic), learned important behaviors and grew stronger in the seclusion of their den. The cubs will remain with their mother for the next 18 months to two years in line with global best practice for captive breeding programs.

Saudi Minister of Culture and RCU Gov. Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, said: “This is a historic moment in our efforts to reintroduce the Arabian leopard to the AlUla region.

“With fewer than an estimated 200 Arabian leopards remaining in the wild globally, this is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world, and these cubs represent a new beacon of hope for the renewal of a subspecies on the brink of extinction. It is our duty to protect, conserve and build population numbers to preserve the species from becoming a footnote of history.

“That is why the RCU is actively championing the revitalization of the Arabian leopard to support the future of this rare and majestic big cat that is native to AlUla,” the prince added.

“The birth of these two cubs will be the first of many as our specialized captive breeding program grows and develops – boosted by the support of local experts, as well as global partners like Panthera.”

The commission’s ALI combines several projects working toward the preservation of the subspecies including an extensive captive breeding and reintroduction program, and the establishment of the Global Fund for the Arabian Leopard.

As a center of excellence, the RCU is establishing a steering committee with leading experts from around the world to enhance and inform ALI’s captive breeding, husbandry, veterinary and reintroduction practices in the existing breeding facility located in Taif.

The committee will also help guide the design of a state-of-the-art breeding center to be constructed in AlUla county and consult on habitat revitalization projects in the Sharaan Nature Reserve.

It was announced in February that the newly created Global Fund for the Arabian Leopard will have an initial endowment of $25 million (SR94 million), making it the largest fund in the world wholly dedicated to safeguarding the Arabian leopard. Currently in the strategic planning and operational set-up phase, the fund will be fully mobilized by the end of this year.

The news of the leopard cubs’ birth follows the signing in June of a partnership agreement between the RCU governor and Dr. Thomas Kaplan, chairman of the global wild cat conservation organization Panthera.

Saudi Arabia, through this partnership, has in turn joined the Global Alliance for Wild Cats, making a commitment to invest $20 million over the next 10 years.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1533636/saudi-arabia





Arabian leopard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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$20 million deal signed to save Arabian leopard population

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Updated 09 June 2019
DEEMA AL-KHUDAIR
June 09, 2019 00:02

• Royal Commission for Al-Ula committed to helping protect and develop wildlife in region

JEDDAH: A $20 million deal to save Arabian leopards has been signed between the Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) and Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization.

The Arabian leopard population is critically endangered, meaning it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, according to the definition provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Panthera President Dr. Fred Launay said the Arabian leopard subspecies was estimated to number fewer than 200 in the wild, with its population driven down in recent years due to loss of habitat and prey, followed by persecution in livestock areas.

The signing ceremony was held at Ashar in Al-Ula county.

The RCU will join The Global Alliance for Wild Cats with a commitment to investing more than $20 million over the next 10 years to conservation measures, with a focus on the Arabian leopard, which is indigenous to Al-Ula.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the minister of culture and RCU governor, said: “The signing of the agreement is a major milestone in our shared ambitions to reintroduce the Arabian leopard population in the region and join global partners to support the preservation of these wild cat populations worldwide.

“It is our duty to protect, conserve and build the population numbers to preserve the species from becoming a footnote of history.

“Our partnership with Panthera will help ensure that populations in other countries around the world are preserved before they reach the levels of endangerment faced today by our precious native big cats.”

RCU CEO Amr Al-Madani said that Al-Ula was chosen as the venue for signing the deal because the conservation of the Arabian leopard was a major part of the commission’s commitment to helping protect, enhance and develop wildlife in the region.

HIGHLIGHTS
• The Royal Commission for Al-Ula will join The Global Alliance for Wild Cats with a commitment to investing more than $20 million over the next 10 years to conservation measures, with a focus on the Arabian leopard, which is indigenous to Al-Ula.

• Panthera, founded in 2006, is devoted exclusively to preserving wild cats and their critical role in the world’s ecosystems.

• Both the royal commission and Panthera share a deep-rooted passion for conservation.


“Arabian leopards were native to the Al-Ula area in the recent past alongside other species and we are committed to investing in breeding programs to help increase their numbers with the aim of eventually being able to reintroduce them back into their natural habitat,” he told Arab News.

“The RCU has created the Sharaan Nature Reserve to provide a sanctuary for the protection, preservation and reintroduction of endangered species native to Saudi Arabia and plans to develop further protected areas in the county.

“Our ambition is to create thriving, ecologically rich environments that can support big cat species such as the Arabian leopard.

“Our partnership with Panthera — a global authority in the preservation of big cat species worldwide — will help us achieve this.”

There will be a global fund focused on the protection and enhancement of remaining wild populations, captive breeding programs, international collaborations, community-based conservation projects and scientific research to support the future of this rare species.

“Being able to create a future where magnificent Arabian leopards can once more roam freely within the Sharaan Nature Reserve we are developing is one that we cannot wait to see. Such a beautiful natural landscape as Al-Ula is a fitting home for some of the world’s most magnificent animals,” he added.

Panthera Chairman Dr. Thomas Kaplan said the launch of the Arabian Leopard Initiatives (ALI), announced by the RCU, was proof that individuals could alter the trajectory of a species away from extinction and toward rebirth.

“I am particularly grateful that the RCU has not only chosen to invest in bringing back the Kingdom’s own leopards, but has also joined — together with Indian, Chinese, Emirati, and American partners – in Panthera’s Global Alliance for Wild Cat,” he told Arab News.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1508091/saudi-arabia

@Falcon29 thanks for the reminder in the Arabic Coffee Shop thread.

 

[Hassan Al-Somal]

The Arabian leopard has bigger marks and is thicker than its counterparts in Africa. It looks a bit bigger than the African leopard and smaller than the lion. Beautiful and majestic animals!

Btw, before the current turmoil in Yemen, it was present in the mountainous areas, so it is not fully endangered yet.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

The Arabian leopard has bigger marks and is thicker than its counterparts in Africa. It looks a bit bigger than the African leopard and smaller than the lion. Beautiful and majestic animals!

Btw, before the current turmoil in Yemen, it was present in the mountainous areas, so it is not fully endangered yet.

They can be found in the wild in KSA as well. Actually the majority of them live in KSA. More precisely in the many mountainous regions and mountain ranges of Hijaz (North, Central and South) and the Southern provinces.

Only some estimated 250-300 left in the wild in the Arabian Peninsula as a whole.





Have in mind that the Arabian Lion died out less than 100 years ago in the wild in KSA. Similarly with wild cheetah although they are now being reintroduced to the wild again in Arabia.

Would be great if the same thing could happen with lions.

Anyway sometimes you can find reports in the news or social media (photos, videos) of some local retards in some mountain village killing an Arabian leopard because he attacked his domestic animals or destroyed some agricultural fields. Or using traps with poison.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/530431

Lack of education and knowledge but since the state has raised awareness in recent years such retarded behavior is very rare. Besides Arabian leopards are very shy and mostly nocturnal and live in very wild areas.

BTW what is the situation of the African Lion in Somalia?

Is this map accurate?



Closest geographical area of Arabia where the African Lion lives in the wild is Northern Ethiopia (highlands). Similar climate too. For instance the capitals of Yemen (Sana'a), Eritrea (Asmara) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) are all 3 of some of the highest located capitals in the world (2000-2500 meter above sea level+). Many of the main cities in Hijaz and Southern KSA are likewise located in that range 2000-2500 meters (some even more).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capital_cities_by_elevation

 

[Bengal71]

What a beautiful animal! We have the world famous Bengal tiger in BD and their numbers are also declining. There should be a conservation effort by BD also.

They can be found in the wild in KSA as well. Actually the majority of them live in KSA. More precisely in the many mountainous regions and mountain ranges of Hijaz (North, Central and South) and the Southern provinces.

Only some estimated 250-300 left in the wild in the Arabian Peninsula as a whole.





Have in mind that the Arabian Lion died out less than 100 years ago in the wild in KSA. Similarly with wild cheetah although they are now being reintroduced to the wild again in Arabia.

Would be great if the same thing could happen with lions.

Anyway sometimes you can find reports in the news or social media (photos, videos) of some local retards in some mountain village killing an Arabian leopard because he attacked his domestic animals or destroyed some agricultural fields. Or using traps with poison.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/530431

Lack of education and knowledge but since the state has raised awareness in recent years such retarded behavior is very rare. Besides Arabian leopards are very shy and mostly nocturnal and live in very wild areas.

BTW what is the situation of the African Lion in Somalia?

Is this map accurate?

Closest geographical area of Arabia where the African Lion lives in the wild is Northenr Ethiopia (highlands) which is actually very similar to the mountains of Southern and Western Arabia as it is the continuation of the Great Valley Rift. Similar climate too. For instance the capitals of Yemen (Sana'a), Eritrea (Asmara) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) are all the 3 highest located capitals in the world (2000-2500 meter above sea level+).

View attachment 573439

We get this exact same problem, some tigers attack the cattle of villagers and end up being killed. The bigger problem is the freaks in China and South East asian countries who believe eating tiger testicles and bones give them a more powerful manhood or some other hocus pocus traditional medicine. That's why body parts of tigers are in high demand and poachers kill them.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

What a beautiful animal! We have the world famous Bengal tiger in BD and their numbers are also declining. There should be a conservation effort by BD also.




We get this exact same problem, some tigers attack the cattle of villagers and end up being killed. The bigger problem is the freaks in China and South East asian countries who believe eating tiger testicles and bones give them a more powerful manhood or some other hocus pocus traditional medicine. That's why body parts of tigers are in high demand and poachers kill them.

The Bengal tiger is a majestic animal as well. Hopefully, as you write, conversation efforts by Bangladesh and the international community will prevent it from becoming extinct.

Well, most of the wild cats were killed off (in the wild) due to poaching, human intrusion to their natural habitat and environment (sometimes massively) etc. If KSA was more densely populated, I don't think that we would have much wildlife left despite our enormous wildlife areas.

Yes, that Chinese/East Asian bogus should stop for the sake of everyone involved. In particular the animals getting killed for that absurdity and individuals paying high prices for fraud products. But so much in this world should be dealt with better.

 

[Hassan Al-Somal]

The leopard in Somalia is currently only found in the mountains around the Red Sea. The lions are also found in the southern part of the country. However, the long running civil war have huge impacts on these wild animals; and it seems out of the two, by retreating to the mountains, the leopards are making a come back. They avoid humans and livestock, rely on mountainous Beira antelope.

They can be found in the wild in KSA as well. Actually the majority of them live in KSA. More precisely in the many mountainous regions and mountain ranges of Hijaz (North, Central and South) and the Southern provinces.

Only some estimated 250-300 left in the wild in the Arabian Peninsula as a whole.





Have in mind that the Arabian Lion died out less than 100 years ago in the wild in KSA. Similarly with wild cheetah although they are now being reintroduced to the wild again in Arabia.

Would be great if the same thing could happen with lions.

Anyway sometimes you can find reports in the news or social media (photos, videos) of some local retards in some mountain village killing an Arabian leopard because he attacked his domestic animals or destroyed some agricultural fields. Or using traps with poison.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/530431

Lack of education and knowledge but since the state has raised awareness in recent years such retarded behavior is very rare. Besides Arabian leopards are very shy and mostly nocturnal and live in very wild areas.

BTW what is the situation of the African Lion in Somalia?

Is this map accurate?



Closest geographical area of Arabia where the African Lion lives in the wild is Northern Ethiopia (highlands). Similar climate too. For instance the capitals of Yemen (Sana'a), Eritrea (Asmara) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) are all 3 of some of the highest located capitals in the world (2000-2500 meter above sea level+). Many of the main cities in Hijaz and Southern KSA are likewise located in that range 2000-2500 meters (some even more).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capital_cities_by_elevation

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

The leopard in Somalia is currently only found in the mountains around the Red Sea. The lions are also found in the southern part of the country. However, the long running civil war have huge impacts on these wild animals; and it seems out of the two, by retreating to the mountains, the leopards are making a come back. They avoid humans and livestock, rely on mountainous Beira antelope.

Looks similar to the now most likely extinct Saudi gazelle.






https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_gazelle

Now other gazelles are roaming in KSA. Sad stuff nevertheless.

BTW KSA imported African ostriches (from the Horn if I recall) as they are the closest genetic relative of the now extinct Arabian ostrich that died out some 50+ years ago.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_ostrich

They now live in the wild and the many national parks in KSA the size of some countries.

Anyway my "biggest" hope is that we will once again see lions rooming KSA in the national parks and protected areas. It's been 100 years without them. Anyone familiar with Arab mythology, language and even Islam would know the importance of the lion and what it represents for us.

 

[Hassan Al-Somal]

In this video, it looks like the Gazelle breeding program is well-established in Saudi Arabia.

Looks similar to the now most likely extinct Saudi gazelle.






https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_gazelle

Now other gazelles are roaming in KSA. Sad stuff nevertheless.

BTW KSA imported African ostriches (from the Horn if I recall) as they are the closest genetic relative of the now extinct Arabian ostrich that died out some 50+ years ago.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_ostrich

They now live in the wild and the many national parks in KSA the size of some countries.

Anyway my "biggest" hope is that we will once again see lions rooming KSA in the national parks and protected areas. It's been 100 years without them. Anyone familiar with Arab mythology, language and even Islam would know the importance of the lion and what it represents for us.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

In this video, it looks like the Gazelle breeding program is well-established in Saudi Arabia.

That is a very old clip. 25+ years.

It is. Don't forget that KSA has the largest and most numerous national parks and protected wild areas in the MENA. Some are the size of certain countries in the region even.

Many successful breeding programs helped save many species from extinction in recent years. Maybe the most spoken about example was/is the majestic Arabian oryx.

Don't forget the seawater species/life either. The Red Sea (KSA has the longest coastline) is home to the second biggest coral reef in the world and one of the few that is not deteriorating. 10% of the Red Sea's species are endemic, found nowhere else.

A new big nature reserve was launched in February this year in Northern Hijaz not far from the ancient town of Al-Ula.

Crown Prince launches Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla governorate
February 10, 2019

AL-ULA – Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier, minister of defense and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) launched on Sunday the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla governorate, as part of a series of major strategic projects being carried out by the RCU, Saudi Press Agency said.

Governor of RCU and Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Al Saud: “The beautiful canyon area of Sharaan is now a designated Nature Reserve, setting a new standard in the region for re-balancing ecosystems and reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting the natural environment of AlUla. The Sharaan Nature Reserve initiative includes the establishment of a global fund for the protection and reproduction of the Arabian leopard.”

By launching The Global Fund for the Arabian Leopard, the RCU aims to make it the biggest fund of its kind. The fund will enable Sharaan Nature Reserve, in addition to other sites, to become a suitable area for releasing and reintroducing the Arabian Leopard in future.

The development of the nature reserve focuses on the rehabilitation of the region’s natural ecosystem, development of vegetation by planting indigenous acacia trees and reintroduction of wild species into the reserve based on global standards, specifically as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature Reintroduction Guidelines.

During the event, local park rangers trained by the Saudi Wildlife Authority together with the Mweka Wildlife College in Tanzania released 10 Nubian ibexes, 10 red-necked ostriches and 20 idmi gazelles into the reserve. These species face numerous threats in the wild, and their numbers have been declining rapidly.

Muhammad Sulayem, Head of Nature at the Royal Commission, stated: “Rehabilitating the natural habitat and reintroducing endangered species into a nature reserve, has immense impact on the biodiversity of the region. We’re excited to be working with global experts, our adept team at RCU, and the community of AlUla to restore Sharaan’s natural ecosystem.”

The launch of the Sharaan Nature Reserve is one of the key strategic projects of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), as AlUla is a place of spectacular natural beauty and has animals threatened with extinction, apart from a number of archaeological treasures and ancient cities, with evidence of major civilizations including most notably the Dadan/Lihyan and the Nabataean kingdoms. Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the prominent southern capital of the Nabataeans.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/558870

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Saudi Arabian Wildlife Authority (English voice over)

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Wonderful video.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Endangered Arabian leopard spotted in Oman

Nervous cat sets-off camera trap set by conservationists in the Dhofar mountains

A rare Arabian leopard has been spotted in Oman, fewer than 200 are thought to exist in the wild. Courtesy: Times of Oman
A rare Arabian leopard was caught on camera in the Dhofar Mountains of Oman.

The sighting is a boon for conservationists, as the big cat is one of the scarcest feline breeds on the planet.

The cat set off infrared cameras in the mountainous region north of Salalah.

Fewer than 200 Arabian leopards are thought to exist in the wild. The breed is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list for animals at risk.

Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs told local media that the pictures had been collected by camera traps set by wildlife protection units in Dhofar.

The south-eastern region of Oman is a known territorial area for Arabian leopards.

The big cats are also found in the Hawf area of north-eastern Yemen and a small, isolated population is known to roam in Saudi Arabia.

Leopards have protected status in Oman. The penalty for hunting or capturing the critically endangered animals is a prison term of between six months and five years and a fine of 5,000 Omani rials (Dh47,500).

In April, two cubs were born through a breeding programme at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

The Royal Commission for Al Ula, Saudi Arabia's tourism project, has since committed to helping protect the species under a regional conservation programme.

A $20 million (Dh73.4m) initiative in partnership with the non-profit Panthera conservation group was signed to support new protection programmes.

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/endangered-arabian-leopard-spotted-in-oman-1.908036

Spot the difference: two Arabian leopard cubs born in Saudi Arabia

The first images and video of the 12-week-old male and female cubs have been released

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Al Ula (RCU) has revealed the first images and videos of two Arabian leopard cubs thanks to their breeding programme, which aims to help preserve the critically endangered species.

The two cubs, one male and one female, were born on April 26 at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Centre in Taif in the North West of Saudi Arabia. The pair are now 12 weeks old and have received their first examinations and vaccinations.

The two cubs were born to 10-year-old leopard, Hamms, which means 'whisper' in Arabic. Courtesy Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Al Ula
The initial three-month period was the most crucial for the newly born leopards as it is during this period they successfully bonded with their 10-year-old mother, Hamms, and learnt important behaviours through her. They will remain together for the next 18 months to two years in line with the global best practice for captive breeding programmes.

READ MORE
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Forget the Maldives, why Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Project should be on your bucket list

The successful conception and birth of the cubs marks a significant breakthrough as the RCU launches its Arabian Leopard Initiatives (ALI), in alignment with the goals and objectives of the RCU Charter to protect the nature and wildlife of the Al Ula region.

Back in June, it was announced that the Saudi Arabian tourism project has signed a deal for at least $20 million (Dh73.4m) with the conservation organisation Panthera, with the aim of helping protect the under-threat species.

The leopard is indigenous to the region, with a population that once flourished on mountains across the Arabian Peninsula. Since 1996, however, the creature has been placed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List as a critically endangered species.

Updated: July 31, 2019 06:47 PM

https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyl...an-leopard-cubs-born-in-saudi-arabia-1.893068

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Saudi patrol catches Yemeni smugglers with cheetahs

Short Url
https://arab.news/8c6xh

Updated 18 January 2020
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
January 18, 2020

• Asian leopards used to be found in the Arabian Peninsula but became extinct in the 1950s

MAKKAH: Saudi security officials have thwarted an attempt by Yemeni smugglers to sneak three cheetahs into the Kingdom hidden in rice bags.
A patrol in Jazan found the animals concealed in burlap sacks after intercepting the smugglers near the border with Yemen.
According to sources, the big cats were taken into the care of the Saudi Wildlife Authority and transferred to a reserve by specialized teams.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Bouq, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s environmental adviser, said: “The smuggled cheetahs came from Africa, where South African, royal and other kinds of cheetah can be found.”
He added that Saudi Arabia was a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a multilateral treaty to protect rare plants and animals, and was providing care for the cheetahs under the terms of the cooperation agreement.
Al-Bouq noted that many species of big cat had become endangered and, in some cases, extinct.

HIGHLIGHT
The smuggled cheetahs came from Africa, where South African, royal and other kinds of cheetah can be found.

“Asian leopards used to be found in the Arabian Peninsula but became extinct in the 1950s. There are old photographs of Aramco workers at the time with a group of leopards,” he said. “Asian leopards used to be found between Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran and India and became extinct in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.”
He pointed out that Arabian tigers were also under severe threat and that the Kingdom had developed a national strategy plan to save the animals from extinction.
However, more research and public awareness campaigns were needed to prevent their killing and help aid their survival in the wild, Al-Bouq added.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1614666/saudi-arabia

Idiots smuggling cheetah's into the GCC from Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa. Later some of those cheetah's get into the wild.