Leopard captured on camera in Yemen for first time
22nd March 2011
Camera traps capture male and female Arabian leopard for the first time in Yemen, raising hopes that the critically endangered animals are breeding
Researchers have succeeded in photographing male and female Arabian leopard for the first time in eastern Yemen, close to the border with Oman.
The researchers from the Foundation for the Protection of the Arabian Leopard in Yemen (FPALY) captured the images in the Hawf Protected Area last month.
FPALY ‘s executive director David Stanton said: “This is the first time that a wild Arabian leopard has been photographed anywhere outside of Oman.”
The organisation is currently expanding its programme to include other areas in Yemen where it believes leopards exist.
Wildlife cameraman and TV presenter Gordon Buchanan said: "The first evidence of the Arabian Leopard in east Yemen is a delectable find indeed."
"Camera traps are relatively cheap, incredibly unintrusive, impervious to the elements and function 24/7, and their sole requirements are half a dozen AA batteries," he added.
Other animals caught on film by the researchers include Arabian wolf, Arabian red fox, white-tailed mongoose, and Indian crested porcupine.
Yemen has been largely off-limits to travellers in recent years, due to the ongoing threat of terrorism and kidnappings.
More recently, anti-government protests have swept the region following riots in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Last week, more than 50 people were killed when snipers opened fire on anti-government protesters in Yemen's capital city, Sana'a.
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