Province
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The Raidah Protected Area
| This is one of the smallest wildlife areas in the Kingdom - and an absolute gem for that. Its steep walls and abundant food means that it is an oasis of wildlife for many of Saudi Arabia's endangered species |
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Located on the steep slope below Jebel Sawdah, and covering only 14 sq km, Raidah Park is managed by NCWCD and with some public access possible for education groups.
The unique plant life here is home to nine of the ten indigenous bird species of Saudi Arabia, including the Arabian Red-Legged Partridge, Arabian Serin, Arabian Waxbill, Asir Magpie, Philby's Rock Partridge, South Arabian Wheatear, Yemen Warbler.
Other birds that have been recorded here are Arabian Woodpecker, Barbary Falcon, Kestrel, Long-legged Buzzard, Shikra (African Sparrowhawk) and the short-toed eagle.
The steep-walled wadis are also ideal for ibex, and offer habitat for other wildlife such as rock hyrax, leopard, mongoose, and eagles. There are plans for the reintroduction of gazelles. Because hunting is banned here, the reserve also attracts Sacred Baboons, Caracal Lynx, and Arabian wolf.
Asir is rich in wildlife, and is one of the few remaining habitats in the Arabian Peninsula for the Arabian Leopard, Caracal, Idmi (Mountain Gazelle), and Nubian Ibex. There also remain viable populations of Wolf and Striped Hyena although all these species are under threat from hunting, as they are perceived to be incompatible with framers grazing cattle, sheep and goats.
Hamadryas Baboons are widespread along the escarpment overlooking the Tihamah. They are also considered problem for the farmers (they like to raid crops and steal produce) but have considerable appeal to tourists.
The Arabian Leopard,Panthera pardus (Arabic: nimr) are spotted, medium-sized members of the "roaring" cat family which includes lions, tigers, panthers, jaguars, snow leopards and marbled cats. The base color of leopards varies widely from yellow or orangish to tan or gray.
Male leopards weigh about 68 kg. They are among the most adaptable of any wild cat and may be found in both rain forest and arid desert habitats including in well-populated areas - although in the Middle East, leopards are believed to be absent from the true desert. Here they are confined to remote mountains and rugged foothill ranging up to 2,600 m.
Leopards enjoy an extremely wide range of prey but prefer small to medium-sized 'ungulates' such as small antelopes and gazelles, wild goats and sheep, deer, pigs and domestic livestock. They can also survive satisfactorily on birds and reptiles, hyraxes, baboons, monkeys and domestic dogs.
Like most cats, leopards are solitary predators that live within an exclusive territory, although those of the males often overlap those of several females.
Female leopards are mature at three years of age. They give birth to one to three young after a gestation of 90 days. They live to about 10 years of age in the wild, and about 20 years in captivity.
The Arabian Leopard is officially listed as an Endangered Species. It is against the law to kill or harm them. It is also against local and international laws to buy, sell or trade their fur. They are highly prized by zoos for breeding programs, and local authorities will arrange to have them captured if they encroach on farm land or human habitat |
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