Mapping Habitat Suitability for Arabia’s Last Big Cat

The Dhofar Centre for Wildlife Research is pioneering advanced approaches to habitat suitability mapping for the Arabian Leopard Panthera pardus nimr across Arabia. We are leveraging Ensemble Species Distribution Modelling (SDM), a robust technique that integrates multiple algorithms to improve the reliability and accuracy of predictive habitat maps.

Our objective is to generate high-confidence spatial predictions of suitable leopard habitat under current environmental conditions, while also assessing potential areas for future restoration. These models incorporate key ecological variables, such as terrain, climate, vegetation, and prey availability, which are critical to the Arabian Leopard's survival.

By producing region-wide suitability maps, the Dhofar Centre seeks to support evidence-based conservation planning, including ecological feasibility studies and decision-making frameworks for reintroduction or reinforcement projects. We will be laying the foundation for targeted, science-driven action to secure the future of this critically endangered big cat in its historical range. Our workflow ensures methodological rigor and transparency, setting a new standard for carnivore conservation science in the Arabian Peninsula.