What is the Arabian Leopard Project?

The Arabian Leopard Project is a conservation initiative that has placed wildlife cameras throughout Oman's Dhofar region to track and study the endangered Arabian leopard.

How many Arabian leopards are estimated to remain in the wild?

According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, fewer than 120 Arabian leopards are estimated to survive in small, isolated groups in Oman and Yemen.

How does the new footage from Oman benefit conservation efforts?

The footage provides researchers with unprecedented insights into the hunting and feeding behaviors of Arabian leopards, which is crucial for tracking population numbers and protecting the species' natural habitats.

Home / Environment / Rare Footage Captures Arabian Leopards Hunting in Oman's Mountains

Rare Footage Captures Arabian Leopards Hunting in Oman's Mountains

1 Nov

•

Summary

First-ever footage of Arabian leopards hunting and eating prey
Cameras capture intimate details of leopard behavior never witnessed before
Footage helps conservationists track and protect these endangered big cats

Rare Footage Captures Arabian Leopards Hunting in Oman's Mountains

In a groundbreaking discovery, wildlife cameras stationed throughout Oman's mountainous Dhofar region have captured the first-ever footage of Arabian leopards hunting and consuming their prey. The cameras, set up by the Arabian Leopard Project, have provided conservationists with an unprecedented glimpse into the behavior of these elusive big cats.

The footage shows one leopard eating a rock hyrax, a rabbit-sized animal found in the region, from atop a boulder, while a second leopard walks beneath. Other recordings capture a leopard transporting the animal. These intimate details of the hunt have never been witnessed before in this species, offering invaluable data to researchers.

The Arabian leopard is a critically endangered subspecies, with fewer than 120 animals estimated to survive in small, isolated groups in Oman and Yemen. The new footage is a significant boost for conservation efforts, as it allows scientists to observe how these at-risk animals hunt and live in their natural environment. Tracking leopard numbers and their predation helps conservationists safeguard the cats and their habitats, which in turn benefits entire ecosystems.