Arabian leopard survey continues in Oman

Biosphere Expeditions is a non-profit-making organization offering hands-on wildlife conservation expeditions for everyone. The expeditions bring together people from different walks of life to support wildlife research and conservation in various parts of the world.

The organisation's Arabian Leopard search project began in January 2006 in the Musandam area - working alongside scientists from the Royal Omani Court - with the aim to see whether the endangered Arabian leopard, the last surviving species of the big cats, was still present in that area of Arabia.

Last year, after exhaustive research in remote and difficult terrain, Biosphere Expeditions was able to report that the Arabian leopard still exists in the Musandam area, albeit with only a handful of individuals. As a result of Biosphere Expeditions' impressive work, the Oman government has now asked the organization to help them in Dhofar, where a sizeable population of Arabian leopards still exists, but needs further study and conservation action in order to protect this most graceful of cats.

Commenting on the expedition Dr. Matthias Hammer, Biosphere Expeditions Founder and Managing Director said,

'Following our findings from the last expedition, we are excited to return to the region and continue our survey in a different area of Oman. We hope our expedition is as successful and we are able to help the Arabian leopard survive in the Sultanate of Oman.'

The expedition will continue this year from 13th January in the Waid Uyun area of Dhofar and will last for one month. Volunteers from England, Germany, Austria, United States, Oman and the UAE have signed up to be part of this year's expedition. Participants will undergo rigorous field and animal identification training, before venturing out to track and record signs of the Arabian leopards presence and its prey animals such as mountain gazelle, hyrax and feral goats.

'Land Rover is one of our organization's global sponsors, so we are thankful to have LR3 vehicles made available to us so we can take the expedition team to some of the most remote and harshest terrains in the Dhofar area. The partnership with Land Rover helps us reduce our running and expedition costs so that we can divert our funds into the projects and people, and take our conservation expedition to some inaccessible places,' added Dr Hammer.

The LR3's outstanding on-road and off-road capability and dynamics have been achieved through a number of technological innovations that ensure easy manoeuvrability on any terrain. The vehicle comes equipped with Land Rover's patented Terrain Response system, which is activated with just the flick of a switch to maximise traction and optimise driveability and comfort. The driver simply chooses one of five terrain settings on the centre console: a general driving programme, one for slippery conditions (grass/gravel/snow) and three special off-road modes (mud/ruts, sand, rock crawl). Terrain Response then automatically selects the appropriate settings for the vehicle's advanced electronic controls and traction aids.

The expedition vehicles will also be outfitted with off road wheels & tyres at the Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC's Land Rover Sales & Service facility in Azaiba. Commenting on MHD LLC's involvement, David Aziz, Director Automotive said, 'In the Sultanate of Oman, MHD LLC has worked consistently to associate the Land Rover brand with events which are linked to the conservation of the environment. Our association with the Biosphere expedition is one more step in that direction'.

Speaking on Land Rover's involvement, Marcelle Duncan, Regional Marketing Manager, said, 'We are proud to support this expedition, which is in line with Land Rover's brand values to help make a positive contribution towards a sustainable biosphere through activities initiated locally and on a global level. Land Rover believes in long-term investment, sustainability and preservation of the environment it operates in and this project reiterates our commitment towards achieving this goal.'