Life on earth is not only threatened by pollution of the environment, but also by the loss of undisturbed places where wildlife can prosper. Many organizations are struggling to deal with these dangers to our environment. In the Arabian peninsula, the Arabian Leopard Trust was founded recently. Its three main aims are:

-to educate the general public about the existence of the unique wildlife of the Arabian peninsula and the dangers that threaten it.

-to breed endangered species of wild animals in captivity, and

-to create wildlife reserves, where the animals can live in their natural surroundings for future generations to see and enjoy.

At a time when practically all indigenous Arabian animals are in danger of becoming extinct, the concern to protect them, marks a civilized attitude towards our environment and wildlife. Among the animals in need of protection are the four species of cats in the U.A.E. that are:

ARABIAN LEOPARD -Panthera pardus nimr

The beautiful and powerful leopard survives in one of the most in- hospitable habitats in the world. It hunts at night, and will eat anything from insects and birds to small mammals and feral goats. The pale grey fur is spotted with black rosettes, that gives perfect camouflage in the limestone mountains of the Arabian peninsula. It roams in the mountainous areas of the peninsula, with only a very small population in the Hajar and Musandam mountains. Leopards are solitary, only meeting during mating. Litters consist oftwo or three cubs, that stay with the mother for upto a year. Though strong enough to defend themselves, they never attack humans of their own accord.

CARACAL - Caracal caracal schmidti

The second largest feline of Arabia is the Arabian caracal, a cat that resembles the European lynx and the American bobcat. The caracal is a very agile hunter, living mainly on birds, insects, small rep- tiles and mammals. Although it is widespread and still reasonably common, its continued existence in the wild is threatened by over- hunting and loss of habitat. The 20 kg, russet colored cat has a blunt short tail and long black hair-tufts at the tip of its ears. Since it is also active during day-light hours, it is the most recorded wild feline of the U.A.E. Captive breeding of Arabian caracals is only just starting.

GORDON S WILDCAT -Felis silvestris gordoni

The Gordons wildcat is a sub-species of the wildcat, that ranges from northern Europe to Africa, across Arabia and into the Indian sub-continent. It is the ancestor of our domestic tabby cats. The Gordon s wildcat range is limited to the U.A.E. and Oman. It lives in sandy plains and lower hills and mountains. Being a secretive nocturnal hunter, it is rarely seen in the wild. Its continued existence in the wild is threatened because of the increasing loss to its habitat, and the cross-breeding with feral domestic cats, that have penetrated into the farthest corners of the desert. Gordon s wildcats have been bred in captivity since 1986 and are now present in many zoos all over the world, including Dubai Zoo.

SANDCAT -Felis margarita

Coordinating with the efforts to protect the environment and the breeding of rare cats in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula.

This charming small cat lives in the deep desert, among the high sand-dunes of the Liwa and the Rub AI Khali. It spends tfie days In cool burrows, hunting at night. Its feet are covered with thick fur, to protect them from being burned by the hot sand. Sandcats are being bred very successfully In various zoos in the world, including AI Ain Zoo.