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2-week expeditions
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The elusive and unknown cat: Arabian leopard in the desert mountains of Dhofar, Oman.
Price/dates/status
This environment volunteer project will take you to the remote desert mountains of the Dhofar region of Oman. Working alongside scientists from the Royal Omani Court, you will be part of a small international team on this desert and mountain expedition, monitoring Arabian leopard presence and contributing to an important piece of research. From our field base you will venture out on in the expedition Land Rovers and on foot, looking for tracks, scratch marks and other pieces of evidence of leopard presence, setting camera traps and talking to the local people about leopard sightings. You will also survey the area for waterholes as leopard hotspots and leopard prey animals such as gazelle, ibex and hyrax. Those who would like to can also move into smaller advanced research camps for a night or two. Some of these camps you will reach on foot and with the support of camels to carry equipment and water, others you will access in the expedition Land Rovers.
DetailsThis environment volunteer expedition will assist local scientists of the Omani Diwan of Royal Court in ascertaining the status of the Arabian leopard in the remote and mountainous Dhofar region of Oman. The expedition will search for leopard signs and attempt to camera trap the animals in prime leopard habitat, complete a wildlife inventory of the area, strengthen ties with local people and investigate historical records of leopard presence. Biosphere Expeditions is collaborating with conservation authorities in Oman to assist in removing this gap in knowledge so that future conservation efforts can be directed effectively. Aims & objectives
(1) To confirm Arabian leopard presence in this area of Dhofar to increase existing knowledge of leopard distribution and abundance using a combination of surveying techniques and camera trapping. Background Although popular myth has Arabia down as a vast, flat and empty expanse of sand (and oil), Oman is quite different. In fact, there is a wide range of contrasting landscapes: high mountains, beaches, the desert landscapes of the Empty Quarter, coral reefs and even tropical habitats, where the monsoon touches Oman in the extreme south (in the mountainous expedition region called the Dhofar, where the leopard still survives and where the expedition takes place). Among the variety of fauna and flora are flocks of migrant wading birds passing through every year, marine, mountain, desert and shoreline ecosystems, endangered Arabian mammals such as leopard and oryx, coral reefs with endemic fish, whales and dolphins along the coast, and turtles that nest in large numbers on the beaches that run almost along the length of the country.
Wadis (beds of ephemeral rivers) dissect the mountains of Oman and often provide the only means of access to many areas. While most wadis are seasonal, some have a constant flow of water, attracting settlement and also wildlife. Red foxes are frequent evening visitors and Blandford’s foxes are found away from the villages and higher up the mountains. To access many of the areas where wildlife is more commonly encountered means leaving the expedition Land Rovers and continuing on foot, sometimes with the support of camels to carry equipment and water. Bats are present in many of the extensive cave systems and birds such as Egyptian vultures and golden eagles survive in the mountain habitats. The Arabian leopard is a flagship species for Oman’s mountain habitats. It once occurred throughout the mountainous regions of Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine and Jordan. However, by the 1990s the leopard became locally extinct in most areas of the Arabian peninsula and if viable populations remain, they are most likely to be found in the high mountains of Oman and Yemen. The Arabian leopard is the largest surviving cat species of Arabia. Listed as “critically endangered” in the IUCN List of Threatened Species, it is on Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which bans international trade in listed animals. In 1997 the Office of the Advisor for Conservation of the Environment of the Diwan of Royal Court began a survey of the Arabian leopard in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in the Dhofar, where a strong population has been shown to exist. The areas outside Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, however, are virtually unstudied and Biosphere Expeditions has been asked by the Omani Diwan of Royal Court to survey these areas for leopard and its prey species. Study species Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), caracal (Caracal caracal), wolf (Canis lupus), striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Arabian ibex (Hemitragus jayakari), Arabian gazelle (Gazella gazella). Other species present, all in mountain habitats, the wadis and the desert: Camel, Gordon’s wild cat, red fox, sand fox, Blandford’s fox, Brandt's hedgehog, Ethiopian hedgehog, white-tailed mongoose, rock hyrax, desert hare, honey badger. There are just over 85 resident birds living in Oman all year round. There are also numerous migratory birds, which visit the country only at certain times of the year. Dhofar, with its mountainous peaks rising to above 2,000 metres is the home of the Egyptian vulture, golden eagle and the chukar, a member of the Partridge family, among other species. Typical day Specific activities are usually decided the night before. The whole set-up of the expedition is quite flexible so that you can participate according to the weather (usually sunshine and warm temperatures), your skills and general fitness and how you feel on the day. Your typical day may consist of: (1) taking your survey group’s Land Rover into the mountains to survey access points and from there searching in the mountains and valleys for leopards and their field signs, or (2) surveying the area for water holes and recording their position, or (3) assisting with interviews. Most research groups will return to the field base for the night where food is prepared by the expedition cook, but there will also be overnight camel or Land Rover-supported advanced research camp activities. Please note that every member of the expedition can be rotated through all activities. There will also be rest and admin days as required and on some days you may be asked to help out with some camp and kitchen work. Research area The Dhofar region lies in Southern Oman. Its mountainous area covers 99,300 square km and the population is around 200,000. The largest town in the region is Salalah. Historically, it was the chief source of frankincense in the world. However, its frankincense is now mostly used locally (Somalia is now the leading exporter). While Arabic speakers from the dominant Omani culture have come to live in the province, especially the larger cities and towns, Dhofar has been the traditional homeland of many tribes-people speaking a variety of south Arabian semitic languages. Dhofar in Oman is one of the few parts of south Arabia directly exposed to the south east monsoon from mid-August to late September or early October; this is known as the khareef. As a result, Dhofar’s climate, vegetation and wildlife is very untypical for Arabia and contrasts sharply with the neighbouring barren Empty Quarter desert. The lush green climate lasts for the whole of the monsoon season and for some time after until the vegetation loses its moisture. The Salalah plain was once a well cultivated area with a sophisticated irrigation system. During World War I it was fertile enough to produce food and grain to supply a large proportion of the requirement of the British Army fighting in Mesopotamia.
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Press
Feedback"We see a great opportunity with Biosphere Expeditions finally to establish the status of the Arabian leopard in the Musandam Peninsula – the only remaining area of northern Oman where the leopard may still occur. We also see an opportunity to encourage sustainable forms of travel hand-in-hand with the research and thereby to help ensure some benefit of biodiversity conservation reaches local communities." Andrew Spalton, Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.
"I am back from Oman and I have to say that it was one of the most interesting stories I have ever covered. I have to admit that I was sceptical at the beginning, but the way the team was lead by the staff and the way the research was conducted have impressed me a lot. Now I am really glad that organisations like Biosphere Expeditions exist, who offer real hands-on conservation experiences for laypeople, which benefit the participants and the local wildlife conservation efforts. As far as I am concerned it was just a brilliant experience within a great set-up!"
“This was my first expedition and I was not sure what to expect. I was wanting the adventure of a lifetime and I certainly got that and more. A real feel for ancient times, met real people in villages, climbed mountains, swam in the sea. The mountains and indeed the country is spectacular, the Land Rovers are great fun to drive, the camp is great. To see the light and mist appear with the sun shining on the mountains – it’s out of this world. I got to be Indiana Jones for two weeks. Thanks to all.”
“I’ve just spent half an hour reflecting on everything that’s happened over the last two weeks – it’s been such a lot! What a fantastic experience. The sun and warmth, the stunning scenery, some truly dramatic surveys and, above all, a wonderful team with which to share everything. I envy everyone who is yet to come here.”
“One of the most amazing trips of my life – wonderful people, wonderful experience.”
“What a wonderful experience. One that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
“What an incredible experience. Being part of an exciting research project with a wonderful team. I am so proud to be part of something like that and so impressed.”
“Deep satisfaction with one of the most impressive, touching landscapes I have seen so far on this big small planet. Happy very open-minded, dedicated, respectful crew & team. Silence when silence was appropriate. Laughter when laughter was appropriate. Thank you very much for letting me share this experience.”
“After almost two weeks survey in the Wadi Amat (and beyond) my feet are aching, I feel exhausted, I am looking forward for a hot shower… But certainly I had the time of my life here in the wadis of Oman and I will take home with me lots of fantastic memories! I more than enjoyed the experience! Thanks to all of you!”
“A great experience. Very different to my normal life working in an office. Oman is an fascinating country & this was a great opportunity to see the country & the people. It was also an opportunity to learn more about surveying techniques. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have had, and the variety of experience and activities which I have been part of. Thanks to the expedition leader & the other people who were part of the team.”
"It was a great and new experience to focus yourself on small details on the ground, which are so important for the big aim. After a while you feel a peace inside yourself, being in a great environment together with a great team."
"Very enjoyable expedition. Tessa & Ronald great team & concerned that everyone was involved & satisfied. Great local support - cook, Khalid, ranger. Would love to have stayed a year!"
"I thought the organisation of the two weeks was excellent; a great mix of serious tasks & easy going attitude all thanks to Tessa, Ronald & Erin. Really open, dedicated & fun environment. Food was excellent. Working alongside local rangers like Khalid & Rames was a great way to get to know Oman & its people. Luxury to be able to have a tent to ourselves & showers too! Fun to learn about off-road driving."
BriefingThe expedition briefing contains very detailed information on this expedition, including instructions on how to get to the assembly point, what you will be doing whilst on expedition and who your expedition leader and scientists will be. Briefings are provided as pdf documents and you must provide a name, country of residence and valid e-mail address to be able to download one. You can access briefings via the Download Centre.
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.JPG "Dhofar wadi")
.JPG "Dhofar wadi")
s.jpg "The study site (courtesy of Wouter Kingma).")
.JPG "Camera trap")
s.jpg "Surveying in the mountains.")
s.jpg "Overnight survey camp.")
s.jpg "Overnight survey camp.")
.JPG "camp (3)")
.JPG "Heli")
s.jpg "Lunch stop survey rest.")
.JPG "Lunch stop")
s.jpg "Local people (courtesy of Wouter Kingma).")
s.jpg "Local people (courtesy of Wouter Kingma).")
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