Al Ain Zoo has recently initiated and hosted the Arabian Population Management Plan Workshop (APMP), a two-day event focusing on maintaining the drive to conserve the Arabian sand cat.
The workshop, which took place on the 10th - 11th September, was attended by representatives from the U.A.E., Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, France and the U.K., in addition to Dr. David Mallon from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN).
Commenting on the initiative, Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, said, "We are proud to collaborate with The Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association to host the first Arabian Population Management Plan Workshop for the Arabian sand cat, and we are confident that this will form the basis to perform APMP's for other species in the future." "We strongly believe that our cooperation with our regional and international partners will showcase great results in sustaining the genetic diversity of captive endangered species, especially in relation to the Arabian sand cat. The importance of hosting the first Arabian Population Management Plan for the Arabian sand cat cannot be underestimated, as it further reflects our role as global leaders in species conservation," he added.