Conservation - Sand Cats

Strategies and initiatives to protect Sand Cats from extinction
 

The Sand Cat is considered a highly endangered animal in the Arab region, particularly the UAE. For this reason, Al Ain Zoo began to focus its attention on its conservation through searching, caring and helping them to breed, both locally and globally.
 

Among the efforts made by the Zoo is the establishment of the Sand Cat Center, which supports the preservation of Sand Cats based on the highest standards of conservation, breeding and veterinary care. The Center successfully carried out the first artificial insemination; actively develops gene management plans for the application of breeding programs after the assessment of the genetic diversity; and conducts DNA analysis (genetic testing) to identify the most suitable cats combinations for reproduction and continuously find ways to improve their genetic health.
 

In terms of strategies, the Zoo organized the first two Sand Cat protection workshops in the world with international community participation, which was the first of its kind in the Arab region; identified Sand Cat groups in the wild through strategic plans and field studies.