Bulletin 16 - March 1982: IUCN Red Data Book

IUCN Red Data Book

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is presently compiling a Red Data book on threatened species of Mammals. The IUCN receives financial assistance from the World Wildlife Fund and the United Nations Environment Programme, and has monitoring centres in different countries.

Of particular interest to the compiler is information concerning the distribution and status in the UAE of Gazella subgutturosa marica and Gazella gazella arabica. In addition similar information on the Leopard Panthera pardus and the Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus would be most welcome.

Any member who has any data at all on the status of any of these animals in the UAE is requested to contact a committee member, or write direct to Jane Thornback, c/o IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre, 219 (c) Huntingdon Rd., Cambridge CB3 ODL, England.

The exact status of gazelle in the UAE is unknown, but the Government has recently encouraged people living in remote areas to refrain from shooting and trapping mammals, though how successful the campaign is, has yet to be seen. There are unconfirmed reports of up to five leopards having been shot in the hills north of Dibba within the past three years.

Further information on the IUCN Mammal Red Data Book plus Inventory Report Forms are available from the Group's Workroom, or from Committee Members. There are some detailed notes on the Wolf, Canis lupus and the Dugong, Dugong dugon.