A historic perspective 1: The diet of the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) in Israel

What is it about?

The Arabian leopard is one of the world’s most endangered big cats, now surviving only in small, threatened populations across the Middle East. Between 1986 and 1990, we studied five leopards in Israel’s Judean Desert—once a stronghold for the species—to understand their diet and behavior. By tracking the animals, observing them directly, and analyzing over 400 scat samples and prey remains, we found that wild animals like Nubian ibex, rock hyrax, and Indian porcupine made up most of their diet. Domestic animals appeared occasionally, mostly near villages. What leopards ate changed with the seasons and across different locations. We also discovered signs of growing human impact: many scat samples contained plastic, cloth, and even bits of metal. The leopards interacted with other predators like hyenas and foxes, and we observed complex social behaviors, including stealing food and adult males excluding cubs from kills. These behaviors show how leopards rely on stable environments and healthy wild prey to survive. Although Arabian leopards are now extinct in Israel, our findings provide valuable information for protecting the remaining populations elsewhere. Preserving wild habitats, reducing conflict with people, and keeping ecosystems connected are all essential if we want this rare predator to have a future.

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