Latest news with #RoyalCourtAffairs
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman's leopard breeding programme records breakthrough
Muscat – The Wild Mammal Breeding Centre under Royal Court Affairs has reported success in breeding Arabian leopards, marking renewed efforts to prevent the extinction of the region's most threatened big cat. A female leopard named Al Muzn, now around two and a half years old, is among the most prominent offspring raised at the centre. She remains in good health under the close care of veterinary specialists. The facility has also recently bred two more cubs, a male and a female, both over three months old, receiving intensive care during their early weeks – a critical period when leopard mothers sometimes reject their young. Located in Muscat, the centre is affiliated to Directorate General of Veterinary Services and houses leopards native to Jabal Samhan in Dhofar. The long-term objective is to breed these animals in captivity and eventually release them into the wild, once they demonstrate the ability to survive independently. Efforts at the facility are supported through regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing with other breeding programmes. These include partnerships with the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah. The Arabian leopard ( Panthera pardus nimr ) is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once found across both northern and southern Oman, its current range is limited to the Dhofar Mountains, where fewer than 50 individuals remain. Captive breeding of the species in Oman began in 1985, using four leopards captured in Jabal Samhan. The first cub was born in captivity in 1989. Over the next eight years, ten cubs were bred successfully, with the last birth recorded in February 1997. The programme gained fresh momentum in 2015 with the introduction of a male leopard from Yemen. In 2022, a female from the Sharjah centre was introduced to the Muscat facility. On February 15, 2023 she gave birth to a female cub – the first leopard born at the centre in 26 years. Officials believe the birth of the cub marks an important step towards preserving the Arabian leopard. As the cub's father is a wild-caught leopard, her genetic makeup could help diversify the limited captive population across the region. The centre also breeds and cares for other endangered native species, including the Arabian gazelle and Arabian tahr, as part of Oman's broader wildlife conservation efforts.
Observer
2 days ago
- Health
- Observer
Arabian leopards in Oman saved from extinction with care
Muscat - The Royal Court Affairs (RCA) has succeeded in breeding Arabian leopards and protecting them from extinction by providing them with health care, nutrition, and a suitable environment for breeding. The female Arabian leopard, 'Al Muzn,' is one of the prominent offspring of the Wildlife Breeding Center (WBC). She was around two and a half years old and is in excellent health after receiving close follow-up care from specialists at the Wildlife Breeding Center, affiliated with the Directorate General of Veterinary Services at the Royal Court Affairs. The center has also been able to breed and care for two other leopards, a male and a female, who are over three months old. Arabian leopards receive special care during their first few months, a critical stage during which many leopard babies are at risk of dying, and the mother may refuse to care for her cubs. The center has intervened early to save and care for these leopards, ensuring their health is stable. The center cares for Arabian leopards native to Jabal Samhan in Dhofar Governorate by breeding and protecting them from extinction, and then reintroducing them to the wild after ensuring their ability to survive and reproduce. The center also exchanges expertise, knowledge, and scientific research with breeding centers in the region.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
Royal Court Affairs succeeds in breeding critically endangered Arabian Leopard
Muscat : The Royal Court Affairs has successfully bred and protected a number of Arabian leopards from extinction by providing healthcare, proper nutrition, and a suitable environment for their reproduction. One of the most notable births at the Wildlife Breeding Center is the female Arabian leopard named "Al-Muzn," now approximately two and a half years old, which is in excellent health after receiving continuous monitoring by specialists at the center. The center, affiliated with the Directorate General of Veterinary Services at the Royal Court Affairs, has also successfully bred and cared for two other leopards—a male and a female—both over three months old. The Arabian leopard requires heightened care during its first few months, as this is a critical phase during which many cubs face mortality risks, including potential maternal rejection. The center has succeeded in early intervention to rescue, nurture, and stabilize the health of these leopards. The center is currently caring for several Arabian leopards originally from Samhan Mountain in Dhofar Governorate, with the goal of increasing their population, protecting them from extinction, and eventually reintroducing them into the wild after ensuring their ability to survive and reproduce. Additionally, the center exchanges expertise, knowledge, and research with other breeding centers in the region. It is worth noting that the center also breeds and conserves various other species native to Oman's environment, such as the Arabian gazelle, the Arabian tahr and other wildlife.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
Royal Court Affairs succeeds in breeding, protecting Arabian Leopard from extinction
Muscat: The Royal Court Affairs has successfully bred and protected a number of Arabian leopards from extinction by providing healthcare, proper nutrition, and a suitable environment for their reproduction. One of the most notable births at the Wildlife Breeding Center is the female Arabian leopard named "Al-Muzn," now approximately two and a half years old, which is in excellent health after receiving continuous monitoring by specialists at the centre. The centre, affiliated with the Directorate General of Veterinary Services at the Royal Court Affairs, has also successfully bred and cared for two other leopards—a male and a female—both over three months old. The Arabian leopard requires heightened care during its first few months, as this is a critical phase during which many cubs face mortality risks, including potential maternal rejection. The centre has succeeded in early intervention to rescue, nurture, and stabilise the health of these leopards. The centre is currently caring for several Arabian leopards originally from Samhan Mountain in Dhofar Governorate, with the goal of increasing their population, protecting them from extinction, and eventually reintroducing them into the wild after ensuring their ability to survive and reproduce. Additionally, the center exchanges expertise, knowledge, and research with other breeding centers in the region. It is worth noting that the center also breeds and conserves various other species native to Oman's environment, such as the Arabian gazelle, the Arabian tahr and other wildlife.
Observer
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Observer
‘Al Marjanah' shines in Toulouse with runner-up finish
MUSCAT: The Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Cavalry continued to showcase their excellence on the international stage, as their purebred Arabian mare 'Al Marjanah' secured a commendable second place in the sixth race held at the Toulouse Racecourse in France. The 2,100-metre race, which took place on Sunday evening, featured top-tier contenders from prestigious stables across Europe and the Gulf region. 'Al Marjanah' ridden by jockey Michael Forest and trained by the seasoned French trainer Élisabeth Bernard, delivered a strong performance and remained competitive throughout the race. 'Al Marjanah' claimed the runner-up position behind 'Makhzoom Al Shahania', owned by HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani, trained by Rohit, and ridden by Jean Bernard. While third place went to 'Majaz', owned by Al Shaqab Racing and ridden by Alexandre Gavilan. The Toulouse race attracted entries from several countries, including Oman, Qatar, France and Spain, reflecting the growing prominence of Arabian horse racing in Europe. The event was marked by high-level competition and tactical brilliance from jockeys and trainers alike, affirming the international stature of the racecourse and its importance as a platform for elite-level racing. This latest success adds to a series of notable achievements by the Royal Cavalry in France. Where recently the mare 'Al Rasha' clinched first place in the eighth race over 1,600 metres at Bordeaux Racecourse, also under the guidance of Michael Forest and trainer Élisabeth Bernard. Similarly, Royal Cavalry's horse 'Al Ghanim' triumphed in the seventh race at Montauban Racecourse, covering a distance of 2,250 metres. The victory was secured under jockey Sami Lecoleus, with training again led by Bernard. These accomplishments underscore the Royal Cavalry's growing competitiveness in European circuits and highlight Oman's strategic investment in showcasing its equestrian heritage on the global stage. Through disciplined training, expert handling, and selective international participation, the Royal Cavalry continues to raise the profile of Omani purebred Arabian horses in premier racing events.
