Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman
The Critically Endangered Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr was believed to be absent from the Nejd region in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. However, a scat confirmed by DNA analysis in 2011 and camera-trap images from 2014 confirmed the presence of the leopard in this region. During 2014–2021, our ca...
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Cambridge University Press
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| author | Hadi Al Hikmani Khalid Al Hikmani |
| author_facet | Hadi Al Hikmani Khalid Al Hikmani |
| author_sort | Hadi Al Hikmani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Critically Endangered Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr was believed to be absent from the Nejd region in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. However, a scat confirmed by DNA analysis in 2011 and camera-trap images from 2014 confirmed the presence of the leopard in this region. During 2014–2021, our camera traps documented at least eight individual leopards, demonstrating the species is resident and breeding in the region. This finding extends the Arabian leopard's known range in Oman by c. 40 km northwards. To improve detection probability, we recommend that camera-trap surveys for the leopard in the Arabian Peninsula are of at least 18 weeks duration. We advocate the designation of central and western areas of the Nejd as a National Nature Reserve, to protect critical habitat for the Arabian leopard and for other species in this region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5164ba6e66b8454a919490915bd21311 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0030-6053 1365-3008 |
| language | English |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oryx |
| spelling | doaj-art-5164ba6e66b8454a919490915bd213112025-02-10T07:00:58ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-30081510.1017/S0030605324001662Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, OmanHadi Al Hikmani0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7685-0947Khalid Al Hikmani1Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Muscat, Oman Royal Commission for AlUla, AlUla, Saudi Arabia IUCN Species Survival Commission Cat Specialist GroupOffice for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Muscat, Oman Royal Commission for AlUla, AlUla, Saudi Arabia General Directorate of Environment, Environment Authority, Salalah, OmanThe Critically Endangered Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr was believed to be absent from the Nejd region in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. However, a scat confirmed by DNA analysis in 2011 and camera-trap images from 2014 confirmed the presence of the leopard in this region. During 2014–2021, our camera traps documented at least eight individual leopards, demonstrating the species is resident and breeding in the region. This finding extends the Arabian leopard's known range in Oman by c. 40 km northwards. To improve detection probability, we recommend that camera-trap surveys for the leopard in the Arabian Peninsula are of at least 18 weeks duration. We advocate the designation of central and western areas of the Nejd as a National Nature Reserve, to protect critical habitat for the Arabian leopard and for other species in this region.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324001662/type/journal_articleArabian leopardArabian Peninsulacamera trapDhofar mountainsNejdOmanPanthera pardus nimr |
| spellingShingle | Hadi Al Hikmani Khalid Al Hikmani Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman Oryx Arabian leopard Arabian Peninsula camera trap Dhofar mountains Nejd Oman Panthera pardus nimr |
| title | Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman |
| title_full | Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman |
| title_fullStr | Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman |
| title_full_unstemmed | Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman |
| title_short | Northward expansion of the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard in Dhofar, Oman |
| title_sort | northward expansion of the critically endangered arabian leopard in dhofar oman |
| topic | Arabian leopard Arabian Peninsula camera trap Dhofar mountains Nejd Oman Panthera pardus nimr |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605324001662/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hadialhikmani northwardexpansionofthecriticallyendangeredarabianleopardindhofaroman AT khalidalhikmani northwardexpansionofthecriticallyendangeredarabianleopardindhofaroman |