Rare image of Arabian Leopard, its cub captured in Dhofar Governorate

Muscat: The project on survey of large mammals at Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in Dhofar Governorate has yielded rare images/photos of the Arabian Leopard and its female cub of a few weeks, indicating the presence of leopard in the reserve.

The Environment Conservation Office in Dhofar Governorate has also spotted Nubian ibex and Arabian wolf at the reserve.

The Environment Authority in Dhofar Governorate is executing a project for the field survey of mammals in the southern part of Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve. The survey will continue till the end of the current year.

The project comes as part of the efforts of the Environment Authority to disseminate knowledge about environment in general and awareness on environment for large-sized mammals, including the ones in the list of endangered animals.

The project also aims to re-evaluate the behaviour of such species under changing human and natural conditions.

With verified populations only found in Oman and Yemen, experts says one of the main reasons for the fall in the number of the big cats is human encroachment into their habitat.

The animal has been listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of animals that are close to extinction.