Species Survival Commission

Conservation status of canids in Arabia evaluated
in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

     The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates hosted the 6^th annual Conservation Workshop for the Fauna of Arabia from February 19^th to 23^rd, 2005. During the workshop, delegates representing over 10 countries evaluated the conservation status of canids in Arabia, including golden jackal (Canis aureus), Arabian wolf (C. lupus arabs), blanford’s fox (Vulpes cana), Rüppell’s fox (V. rueppellii), and red fox (V. vulpes arabica). The last assessment of this kind for Arabian canids occurred five years ago.

     Delegates pooled information on the distribution and population status of each species and identified key species-specific threats in the region. This information was used to develop research priorities and apply regional IUCN criteria to assess the conservation status of each species.  Delegates categorized all species (except the red fox) as threatened in the region due to notable population declines since the last assessment: 

• Golden jackal – conservation status upgraded to Vulnerable
• Arabian wolf – conservation status upgraded to Endangered
• Blanford’s fox – conservation status upgraded to Vulnerable
• Rüppell’s fox – conservation status upgraded to Endangered
• Red fox – conservation status remained as Least Concern

 Workshop participants also re-evaluated the conservation status of the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena sultana) and upgraded the species’ status to Vulnerable due to notable population declines.

 For more information on the workshop, please contact James (Jed) Murdoch (james.murdoch@zoology.ox.ac.uk)  of the IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group or Peter Phelan (breeding@epaa-shj.gov.ae) at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife (www.breedingcentresharjah.com), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 

 Posted by: Jed Murdoch