|Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) and cubs at the Sharjah Wildlife Centre, UAE||
The Arabian leopard is much smaller and lighter in colour than its African and Asian counterparts. This highly endangered species is the subject of intensive conservation efforts in the UAE. The Arabian Leopard Trust was set up in 1993 with the aim of protecting the leopard and its mountainous habitat in particular, and conserving indigenous Arabian wildlife in general particularly the large predators of the mountainous regions.
Hunting and depletion of food sources have made the Arabian leopard one of the rarest animals in the world. Further research and international co-operation, along with captive breeding programmes are essential if the Arabian leopard is to be saved from extinction.
In January 2000, two female Arabian leopard cubs were born at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah. This was the third litter of cubs born at the Centre and the first with two cubs. There are now a total of four surviving offspring born at the Centre. These animals will not be ready to breed until they are at least two years of age, but the fact that they are females has helped to redress the surplus of males within the captive breeding population.
SHARJAH WILDLIFE CENTRE CLICK HERE
MORE ON ARABIAN LEOPARDS CLICK HERE & HERE
ARABIAN LEOPARD TRUST CLICK HERE
YEARBOOK 2000 - 2001 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE CLICK HERE