Daily Current Affairs : 12-October-2023
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has inadvertently cast a shadow over the Arabian Peninsula’s unique biodiversity, particularly endangering two remarkable species: the Arabian wolf (Dhib or Canis lupus arabs) and the Arabian leopard (Nimr or Panthera pardus nimr). These animals, deeply rooted in the region’s culture and folklore, now face a precarious existence due to the turmoil in the area.
Background: Dhib and Nimr in Arabian Culture
- Cultural Significance: Both Arabian wolf and leopard are deeply embedded in the traditions of the Arabian Peninsula, often represented through symbols, stories, and art.
- Arabic Terminology: ‘Dhib’ and ‘Nimr’ are the Arabic terms for the Arabian wolf and leopard respectively, reflecting the cultural significance of these creatures in the local communities.
Distribution Challenges: A Shrinking Habitat
- Historical Habitat: The deserts of the Holy Land, including the Negev and Judaean desert, were once the natural habitat for these animals, but are now severely impacted by the ongoing conflict.
- Critical Endangerment: In the northern half of their range, both the Arabian wolf and leopard are critically endangered, with the latter being extinct in its northern territories, including Sinai Peninsula, Negev, and Judaean Desert.
- Current Habitat: The remnant nuclei of Arabian leopards are now confined to Oman, Yemen, and possibly some areas in southern Saudi Arabia.
Conservation Challenges: Lone Predators in a Disrupted Ecosystem
- Apex Predators: The Arabian wolf remains the sole apex predator across most of its range, owing to the near-eradication of the Arabian leopard and Asiatic cheetah in the last few decades.
- Ecosystem Impact: The decline of these predators disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem, potentially leading to overpopulation of certain species and depletion of resources.
Conservation Strategies: Education and Coexistence
- Promoting Tolerance: Conservation efforts must emphasize increasing tolerance and coexistence within pastoralist landscapes. Educating local communities about the ecological importance of these species can mitigate conflicts.
- Education Initiatives: Launching awareness campaigns in schools and communities to inform people about the vital role of Arabian wolf and leopard in maintaining the ecological balance.
- Coexistence Strategies: Implementing strategies like secured enclosures for livestock, monitoring grazing patterns, and providing alternative food sources can promote peaceful coexistence between humans and these endangered animals.
Important Points:
- Ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine threatens biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula.
- Endangered species: Arabian wolf (Dhib or Canis lupus arabs) and Arabian leopard (Nimr or Panthera pardus nimr).
- Cultural significance: Represented in traditions, symbols, stories, and art of the Arabian Peninsula.
- Arabic terminology: ‘Dhib’ and ‘Nimr’ reflect the importance of these animals in local cultures.
- Historical habitat: Deserts of the Holy Land, including Negev and Judaean desert, were natural habitats for these species.
- Critical endangerment: Both Arabian wolf and leopard are critically endangered, especially in their northern range.
- Extinct territories: Arabian leopard extinct in Sinai Peninsula, Negev, and Judaean Desert.
- Current habitat: Remnant populations of Arabian leopards confined to Oman, Yemen, and possibly southern Saudi Arabia.
- Conservation challenges: Arabian wolf remains the sole apex predator; disruption in the ecosystem due to declining leopard population.
- Conservation strategies: Focus on increasing tolerance and coexistence within pastoralist landscapes.
- Educational initiatives: Awareness campaigns in schools and communities to emphasize the ecological importance of these species.
- Coexistence measures: Implementing secured enclosures, monitoring grazing patterns, and providing alternative food sources for peaceful coexistence.
- Urgent need for conservation efforts: Preserve these species and maintain the ecological balance of the Arabian Peninsula.
- Collective action and awareness essential for safeguarding endangered species for future generations.
Why In News
The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli war has critically endangered the populations of the Arabian wolf (Canis lupus arabs) and the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), threatening their existence and highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts in the region.
MCQs about Arabian Wolf and Leopard Amidst Conflict
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What are the Arabic terms for the Arabian wolf and leopard ?
A. Dhib and Nimr
B. Wolfus and Leopardus
C. Arabicus and Panthera
D. Desertus and Negev
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Which part of the Arabian Peninsula was once the natural habitat for the Arabian wolf and leopard but is now severely impacted by the ongoing conflict?
A. The Empty Quarter
B. Negev and Judaean Desert
C. Rub’ al Khali
D. Sinai Peninsula
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Why is the Arabian wolf currently the sole apex predator in most of its range?
A. It outcompeted other predators
B. Asiatic cheetah and Arabian leopard populations declined
C. Human intervention in predator populations
D. Natural selection favored the Arabian wolf
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What conservation strategy does the essay suggest for promoting coexistence between humans and endangered species?
A. Capturing and relocating endangered animals
B. Building taller fences to separate humans and animals
C. Increasing tolerance and promoting awareness in pastoralist landscapes
D. Eliminating endangered species’ natural predators
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