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44-641: The only settlement in the area is the small town of Mitzpe Ramon (מצפה רמון, "Ramon Lookout") located on the northern edge of the depression. Today the area forms Israel's largest national park , the Ramon Nature Reserve. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the Negev was covered by the Tethys ocean . Slowly, it started to recede northwards leaving behind a hump-shaped hill. The hump was slowly flattened by water and climatic forces. Approximately 5 mya ,

88-467: A black hill in the north of the makhtesh, was once an active volcano which erupted thousands of years ago and caused it to be covered in lava which quickly cooled in the open air, converting it into basalt . Limestone covered by basalt can also be found in smaller black hills in the southern part of the makhtesh, including Karnei Ramon. Shen Ramon ( Ramon's Tooth ) is a rock made of magma which hardened whilst underground. It later rose up through cracks in

132-599: A large prehistoric stone structure known as Khan Saharonim  [ he ] are found in the makhtesh, as it lies along the ancient Incense Route , a trade route used by the Nabataeans 2,000 years ago. These ruins acted as a way station for the traders and their animals ( khan is the Arabic word for a caravanserai ) as they proceeded further westward to the Mediterranean seaport city of Gaza . Located atop

176-523: A week by a supply truck. There was a single school with one classroom for all ages. The homes of the first settlers were prefabricated asbestos barracks. Later, rows of small attached stone houses were built and after that, apartment buildings, beginning in the early 1960s. On April 29, 1964, a Nord 2501D Noratlas (4X-FAD/044) of the IAF crashed into a mountain near Mitzpe Ramon, killing all nine occupants, including pilots Hagay Gilboa and Shlomo Tzlil. The crash

220-706: A wildlife sanctuary for the leopard in the area of Al-`Ula . The first Arabian leopards were captured in southern Oman and registered in the studbook in 1985. Captive breeding was initiated in 1995 at the Oman Mammal Breeding Centre and is operated at a regional level on the Arabian Peninsula. Since 1999, the regional studbook is coordinated and managed by personnel of the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah . As of 2010 , nine institutions participated in

264-405: Is 38 km long, 6 km wide and 450 meters deep. Mitzpe Ramon's climate borders between hot desert climate and cold desert climate ( Köppen climate classification : BWh/BWk), characterized by hot, dry summers and cold winters. There are moderate to strong winds all year long, caused by its location above the crater, which make Mitzpe Ramon feel much colder than it really is. Precipitation

308-642: Is affected by the decrease of natural prey species so that leopards increasingly prey on livestock. Local people therefore consider leopards a threat and kill them either by using poison or snares. The leopard population is close to extinction in the country. The Israeli West Bank Barrier , built by the Israeli government in the mid-2000s, disrupts the migration of all terrestrial land animals between Israel and Palestine, therefore reducing animals' natural habitats and causing gene pools to be significantly shallower, which results in inbreeding and infertility . In

352-534: Is considered the best habitat for leopards in the country. This rugged terrain provides shelters, shade and trapped water, and harbors a wide variety of prey species, in particular in escarpments and narrow wadis . In Yemen , leopards formerly ranged in all mountainous areas of the country, including the western and southern highlands eastwards to the border with Oman. Since the early 1990s, leopards are considered rare and close to extinction due to direct persecution by local people and depletion of wild prey. There

396-417: Is currently Israel's deadliest. In 1972, Mitzpe Ramon had a population of about 1,400 people living in 300 households. The town further grew after Ramon Airbase was completed in 1982. In 1988, the town had a population of about 3,000, and it experienced more significant population growth when it absorbed Soviet immigrants during the 1990s post-Soviet aliyah . Ramon Crater , known as a makhtesh Ramon,

440-532: Is estimated that 100–120 in total remain, with 70-84 mature individuals, in Oman and Yemen, and it is possibly extinct in Saudi Arabia. The current population trend is suspected to be decreasing. Felis pardus nimr was the scientific name proposed by Wilhelm Hemprich and Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1830 for a leopard from Arabia. Panthera pardus jarvisi , proposed by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1932,

484-560: Is scarce, concentrated around the winter months, with an annual precipitation amount of roughly 70 millimetres (2.8 in). Snowfall occurs on average once in a couple of years. Night frost occurs almost every winter. The development of Mitzpe Ramon was adversely affected by the opening of Route 90 in the late 1960s. After the inauguration of this highway, traffic to and from Eilat bypassed Mitzpe Ramon almost entirely. However, growing interest in ecotourism , Jeep trekking (access to Nabatean ruins), mountain biking and hiking, stargazing and

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528-506: Is the smallest leopard subspecies . It was described in 1830 and is native to the Arabian Peninsula , where it was widely distributed in rugged hilly and montane terrain until the late 1970s. Today, the population is severely fragmented and thought to decline continuously. In 2008, an estimated 45–200 individuals in three isolated subpopulations were restricted to western Saudi Arabia , Oman and Yemen . However, as of 2023, it

572-562: Is the smallest leopard subspecies. It is however the largest cat in the Arabian Peninsula. The geographic range of the Arabian leopard is poorly understood but generally considered to be limited to the Arabian Peninsula, including Egypt 's Sinai Peninsula . It lives in mountainous uplands and hilly steppes, but seldom moves to open plains, desert or coastal lowlands. Since the late 1990s, leopards were not recorded in Egypt. One individual

616-491: The Arava Rift Valley was formed, with rivers changing their courses, carving out the inside of the crater which was a softer rock than that overlying. The crater bottom continued to deepen at a much faster rate than the surrounding walls, which gradually increased in height. As the crater deepened, more layers of ancient rock were exposed with rocks at the bottom of the crater being up to 200 million years old. Today,

660-677: The Dhofar Mountains in the country's southeast . In the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve , 17 individual adult leopards were identified between 1997 and 2000 using camera traps. Leopards were also sighted in the Musandam Peninsula , particularly Ras Musandam . The home range of Arabian leopards in this reserve is roughly estimated at 350 km (140 sq mi) for males and 250 km (97 sq mi) for females. The Dhofar mountain range

704-732: The Hijaz Mountains and three locations in the Asir Mountains , with the most recent record in 2002 south of Biljurashi . No leopard was recorded during a camera trapping survey conducted from 2002 to 2003. Although the leopard is officially protected in the country, its remaining range is not encompassed by protected areas. In the United Arab Emirates , the Arabian leopard was first sighted in 1949 by Wilfred Thesiger in Jebel Hafeet . The exact status of

748-787: The Isrotel hotel chain opened a luxury hotel, the Beresheet Hotel, in Mitzpe Ramon. The Tourism Ministry allocated NIS 9.5 million for infrastructure development in Mitzpe Ramon, and the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee financed the construction of a landing strip for light aircraft. In December 2013, a Las Vegas -style Casino was planned for the town. The previous mayor, Flora Shoshan, sister of former Israeli defense minister Amir Peretz and wife of

792-621: The Judaean Desert as of 2005. The last wild leopard in the Negev desert was sighted near Sde Boker in 2007, which was in a poor and weak shape; and the last leopard in the northern Arabah Valley was sighted in 2010–11. In Jordan , the last confirmed sighting of a leopard dates to 1987. Arabian leopards are predominantly nocturnal , but are sometimes also seen in daylight. They seem to concentrate on small to medium prey species, and usually store carcasses of large prey in caves or lairs but not in trees. Scat analyses revealed that

836-608: The Negev desert of southern Israel . It is situated on the northern ridge at an elevation of 860 meters (2,800 feet) overlooking the world's largest erosion cirque , known as the Makhtesh Ramon . In 2022 it had a population of 5,263. Mitzpe Ramon was founded in 1951 as a camp for the workers building Highway 40 . The town's first permanent residents, several young families from Kibbutz Re'im and other parts of Israel began settling there in 1956. After five years,

880-572: The Persian onager ( E. h. onager ). The original subspecies, the Syrian wild ass ( E. h. hemippus ), is extinct. Other larger mammals of the area include Nubian ibex , Dorcas gazelles , striped hyenas , Arabian wolves , caracals , golden jackals , and reintroduced Arabian oryx . Historically, the area was home to Arabian leopards . However, they are likely extirpated in Israel. The ruins of

924-687: The Sarawat Mountains , made the continued survival of the leopard population uncertain. Other reasons for killing leopards are for personal satisfaction and pride, traditional medicine and hides. Some leopards are killed accidentally when eating poisoned carcasses intended for Arabian wolf and striped hyena . Among the products sold in the tent city of Mina, Saudi Arabia after the Hajj of 2010, skins of Arabian leopards that were poached in Yemen were offered. The leopard population in Saudi Arabia

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968-535: The 1950s, the Arabian leopard population was already decreasing drastically due to habitat degradation and fragmentation, and killing of leopards and prey species. The 4,500 km (1,700 sq mi) Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve was established in 1997 after camera trap records of leopards were obtained; in the following decade, 17 individual adult leopards and one cub were identified. Leopards were also radio-collared and tracked in this Nature Reserve. At least ten wild leopards were live-captured in Yemen since

1012-473: The Earth's surface, and today stands in striking contrast with the nearby creamy coloured southern wall of the crater, as a black sharp-edged rock. In the centre of the makhtesh is HaMinsara ( The Carpentry Shop ), a low hill made up of columnar jointed sandstone— polygonal prismatic columns of quartzite . The pteriidan bivalve Family Ramonalinidae is found in early Middle Triassic rocks of Makhtesh Ramon and

1056-556: The Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Center in Ta'if . In February 2022, Saudi Council of Ministers declared February 10 as the "Arabian Leopard Day" in an effort to protect the species and raise awareness of their conservation status. In June 2023, The United Nations voted to adopt a resolution to officially designate February 10 as an international day for Arabian Leopards. On

1100-556: The Sinai leopard with the Arabian leopard, as again tissue samples were not available. The Arabian leopard's fur varies from pale yellow to deep golden, tawny or grey and is patterned with rosettes . Males have a total length of 182–203 cm (72–80 in) including 77–85 cm (30–33 in) long tails and weigh about 30 kg (66 lb); females are 160–192 cm (63–76 in) long including 67–79 cm (26–31 in) long tails and weigh around 20 kg (44 lb). It

1144-752: The age of about three months, and remain with their mother for up to two years. Three confirmed separate subpopulations remain on the Arabian Peninsula with fewer than an estimated 200 leopards. The Arabian leopard is threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation; prey depletion caused by unregulated hunting; trapping for the illegal wildlife trade and retaliatory killing in defense of livestock. The leopard population has decreased drastically in Arabia as shepherds and villagers kill leopards in retaliation for attacks on livestock . In addition, hunting of leopard prey species such as hyrax and ibex by local people and habitat fragmentation , especially in

1188-544: The borders of the crater: Har Ramon (Mt. Ramon) at the southern end, Har Ardon  [ he ] (Mt. Ardon) at the north-eastern end, and two table mountains— Har Marpek (Mt. Marpek - "Elbow"), and Har Katum (Mt. Katum - "Cropped")—along the southern wall. The hills to the north-eastern edge of the makhtesh were once entirely covered by spiral ammonite fossils, ranging from the size of snails to that of tractor wheels although these have mainly been extracted so only smaller fossils can be found here today. Giv'at Ga'ash,

1232-520: The breeding programme and kept 42 males, 32 females, and three unsexed leopards, of which 19 were wild caught. This captive population comprised 14 founders that have an unequal number of descendants. In 2016, the leopards and other fauna were transferred from the breeding centre in Sharjah to Al Hefaiyah Conservation Centre in the eastern area of Kalba . In Yemen, leopards were kept at Ta'izz and Sana'a Zoos . Two cubs were born on 26 April 2019 at

1276-408: The continued survival of the species until other factors enhancing its survival become effective. Public awareness, fruitful consideration of the needs of local people and ecological studies may take years to be useful. In Yemen, efforts are underway to conserve leopards at two sites, including Hawf Protected Area. In Saudi Arabia, authorities have undertaken efforts to create Sharaan Nature Reserve,

1320-479: The crater is 500 metres deep with the deepest point being Ein Saharonim  [ he ] ( Saharonim Spring ). This spring serves as the sole natural water source within the crater, supporting a significant portion of its wildlife population, including onagers and ibex . Makhtesh Ramon contains a diversity of rocks including clay hills known for their red and yellow colors and forms. Mountains rise at

1364-548: The early 1990s and sold to zoos; some have been placed in conservation breeding centers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A detailed study of leopard distribution and habitat requirement is needed for the management of the species. The ecological information needed include data on feeding behavior, range use and reproduction. This information is of great importance to the survival of the species. There are many sites already surveyed and considered to be suitable for preservation for leopards in

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1408-434: The former mayor, Sami Shoshan, was voted out on October 23, 2013, and replaced by Roni Marom, in a landslide victory for Marom. The Mitzpe Ramon Jazz Club hosts musical ensembles on the weekend. On weekdays, it operates as a music school. 'Me'ever', a hostel and event space, is in the artist quarter of Mitzpe Ramon. Arabian leopard P. p. jarvisl Pocock , 1932 The Arabian leopard ( Panthera pardus nimr )

1452-497: The leopard in the country is unclear. It is either extinct or very rare in the eastern region, with occasional sightings being reported in places like Wadi Wurayah . Before the end of the 20th century, sightings were reported in the areas of Jebel Hafeet and Al- Hajar Mountains . In Oman , leopards were reported to have occurred in the Hajar Mountains until the late 1970s. The largest confirmed sub-population inhabits

1496-412: The main prey species comprise Arabian gazelle , Nubian ibex , Cape hare , rock hyrax , porcupine , Ethiopian hedgehog , small rodents , birds, and insects . Since local people reduced ungulates to small populations, leopards are forced to alter their diet to smaller prey and livestock such as goats, sheep, donkeys and young camels. Information about ecology and behaviour of Arabian leopards in

1540-731: The media and perhaps other sources for basic education programs. The support and involvement of people living close to leopard habitats are vital in such efforts. This is true not only because they might affect the conservation of the leopard in one way or another, but also because they depend on their livestock which could be killed occasionally by leopards. Although it is not always practical, compensation for lost livestock from leopard predation should be considered. Revenue from sources such as hunting rights and ecotourism , services such as roads and school employment in protected areas would encourage local residents to participate in leopard conservation. Furthermore, well-managed protected areas will ensure

1584-583: The northern cliff of the crater, one can find Metzad Mahmal , the remnants of a stronghold employed by the Nabataeans and the Romans to safeguard the Incense Route. The site was excavated by several archaeologists, and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. Mitzpe Ramon Mitzpe Ramon ( Hebrew : מִצְפֵּה רָמוֹן , Ramon Lookout; Arabic : متسبي رمون ) is a local council in

1628-442: The plan adopted by the national commission for wildlife conservation and development. These areas include Jebel Fayfa, Jebel Al-Qahar, Jebel Shada, which has already been gazetted as a protected area, Jebel Nees, Jebel Wergan, Jebel Radwa and Harrat Uwayrid. The formal establishment of some of these areas is now urgent. A successful conservation strategy must promote the awareness of the importance of leopard conservation, employing

1672-457: The town was home to 370 residents including 160 children, most of them veteran Israelis. There were also 180 housing units to absorb new immigrants They were joined by immigrants from North Africa, Romania, and India in the 1960s, and it became the southernmost of the Negev's development towns . Conditions in the early years were harsh, with limited food supplies and practically no modern-day amenities. Ice blocks and provisions were delivered once

1716-477: The upgrading of Route 40 , which is considered a more scenic route to Eilat, have improved the economy. Jerusalem Marble, one of a few major suppliers and overseas exporters of Jerusalem stone (established in 1923), inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in Mitzpe Ramon in January 2000. Jerusalem Stone is exported globally. Mitzpe Ramon has six hotels and dozens of bed and breakfast establishments. In 2011,

1760-531: The wild is very limited. A leopard from the Judean desert is reported to have come into heat in March. After a gestation period of 13 weeks, females give birth to two to four cubs in a cave amidst boulders or in a burrow. Leopard cubs are born with closed eyes that open four to nine days later. Captive-born Arabian leopard cubs emerged from their den for the first time at the age of one month. Cubs are weaned at

1804-452: Was a small population in Israel 's Negev desert, estimated at 20 individuals in the late 1970s. Leopards were hunted until the early 1960s. By 2002, fewer than 11 isolated individuals were estimated to survive. Six males, three females and two unsexed individuals were identified in the country, based on genetic analysis of 268 scats collected. About five individuals were thought to survive in

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1848-600: Was based on a leopard skin from the Sinai Peninsula . In the early 1990s, a phylogeographic analysis was carried out based on tissue samples from Asian and African leopards . P. p. jarvisi was provisionally grouped with Panthera pardus tulliana , as tissue samples were not available. Genetic analysis of a single wild leopard from South Arabia appeared most closely related to the African leopard, and Molecular biologists tentatively proposed in 2001 to group

1892-562: Was killed in the Elba Protected Area in 2014. Until the late 1960s, the Arabian leopard was widely distributed in the mountains along both the coasts of the Red Sea and Arabian Sea . In Saudi Arabia , leopard habitat is estimated to have decreased by around 90% since the beginning of the 19th century. Of 19 reports obtained from informants between 1998 and 2003, only four are confirmed including sightings in one location in

1936-544: Was named after this feature. Nahal Ardon in the east of the makhtesh contains several vertical dikes . Occasional geodes of celestine can be found next to some of them. The Asiatic wild ass has been reintroduced to Makhtesh Ramon. In 1995 the population had increased to 40 adults in the area. The animals are hybrids of two subspecies of the Asian Wild Ass, derived from the Turkmenian kulan ( E. h. kulan ) and

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