EXPEDITION REPORT - Biosphere Expeditions

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Red fox Honey badger Hyrax Procupine Striped hyaena Arabian wolf Figure 2.3h. Examples of camera trap photos. 27 © Biosphere Expeditions www.biosphere-expeditions.org
2.4. Discussion and Conclusion Large, continuous habitat is a fundamental requisite for the continued survival of a top predator such as the Arabian leopard. Unfortunately, habitat degradation as a result of a large increase in the number of domestic animals in Dhofar over the last 25 years, together with habitat fragmentation, caused by people and livestock moving into previously remote areas, as well as the rapid pace of development are endangering the long-term viability of the Arabian leopard in Dhofar and beyond (Mazzolli 2009). The resulting small leopard populations are vulnerable to genetic, stochastic and demographic stresses. New roads and quarrying are of particular threat to the long-term viability of Arabian leopard in the research area. Obtaining reliable data is of great importance for ensuring the effective management and protection of this vulnerable leopard population. Under the best of circumstances, the elusive nature of the Arabian leopard and its challenging habitat makes it a difficult subject for study. The local conditions in Dhofar put added constraints on the methods suitable to study the leopards in this area. The importance of studying the views of those people who are most directly affected by predators, though they often comprise very small numbers in any society (Ericsson and Heberlein 2003 is essential. Those who live with leopards and are directly affected by them often have very different attitudes to those of the general population. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the attitudes of the interest groups likely to be most affected by Arabian leopard in Dhofar is crucial. Capacity building is defined as the "process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the fast-changing world" (Philbin 1996). Building these skills is necessary to provide the resources needed to conserve the Arabian leopard and other wildlife and involve local communities in conservation in Dhofar. Bold steps need to be taken if we are to conserve Oman’s and perhaps the region’s last wild Arabian leopard population. Undoubtedly the most important of these is to urgently safeguard the leopards and associated biodiversity with innovative measures that bring real benefits to the local people (Spalton et al. 2006a & 2006b). These innovative measures need to be introduced across Dhofar if the Arabian leopard is to survive in the wild. Recommendations for further action (during expeditions and by other parties) � Further expedition work and surveys. � A long-term camera-trapping programme in the survey area. � On-going training of local rangers and training in wildlife survey and monitoring methodology - to include collection and storage of possible leopard faeces for subsequent DNA analysis. � Creating a forum involving local people, relevant government departments and tour operators to raise environmental awareness and address any conservation problems or human/wildlife conflict incidents. 28 © Biosphere Expeditions www.biosphere-expeditions.org
Page 1 and 2: BEST VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATION UK B
Page 3 and 4: Abstract The Arabian Leopard Panthe
Page 5 and 6: Contents Abstract 2 ﺔﺻﻼﺨﻟ
Page 7 and 8: 1.2. Research Area 6 © Biosphere E
Page 9 and 10: Medical support & insurance The exp
Page 11 and 12: 1.8. Expedition Budget Each team me
Page 13 and 14: Tessa McGregor Biosphere Expedition
Page 15 and 16: Figure 2.2a. Research area with lon
Page 17 and 18: Surveys were carried out during the
Page 19 and 20: Finally, the high (3) category was
Page 21 and 22: Leopard sign was more abundant in 2
Page 23 and 24: Table 2.3a above shows an increase
Page 25 and 26: % of surveys with Human Disturbance
Page 27: Interviews were conducted in all zo
Page 31 and 32: Obbard, M.E., E. Howe and C. (2010)
Page 33 and 34: Appendix 2. Bird inventory generate
Page 35 and 36: Common name Latin name 2009 2010 Co
Page 37 and 38: DATASHEET: RECORDING INTERVIEWS OMA
Page 39 and 40: Appendix 5: Expedition leader diari
Page 41 and 42: Yesterday one group went back to th
Page 43 and 44: Thursday we split into two groups.
Page 45 and 46: All the best to you and hopefully I
Page 47 and 48: Let’s see what the next week will
Page 49 and 50: Wednesday saw the departure of our

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