Muscat: Equipped with state-of-the-art medical tools, the mobile unit is designed for rapid field intervention and will be supported by a specialized veterinary team. The clinic will also run training programs to build local expertise in wildlife care and handling, ensuring long-term conservation capacity within Dhofar’s communities.

The project is spearheaded by the Arabian Leopard Fund in partnership with Oman’s Environment Authority. Speaking at the launch, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, said: “This strategic partnership enhances Oman’s decades-long efforts to conserve the Arabian leopard and its ecosystem. The clinic represents a qualitative addition to our field capabilities.”

He highlighted Oman’s leadership in conservation, citing the creation of nature reserves, anti-poaching laws, and modern monitoring technologies such as camera traps that have confirmed the leopard’s presence in the wild.

His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Oman, praised the initiative, calling it a model of regional cooperation. “This clinic embodies the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Leopard Fund to harnessing innovation and international collaboration to address environmental challenges,” he said.

The Arabian leopard, classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has a wild population estimated at fewer than 120. Dhofar remains one of its last natural habitats in the Arabian Peninsula.

The partnership will also include research programs, human capacity-building, and awareness campaigns targeting schools and local communities, with a strong focus on encouraging coexistence and protecting the ecological balance.

Established in 2020, the Arabian Leopard Fund supports both local and international initiatives aimed at preventing extinction and advancing sustainability.