Alatawi Abdulaziz S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
Biology (Basel). 2025 Jul 9;14(7):839. doi: 10.3390/biology14070839.
The expansion of human activities can degrade natural habitats, thereby increasing threats to wildlife conservation. The wild populations of many species have declined due to the modification of natural habitats by humans. The Arabian wolf () is a subspecies of the gray wolf that is of conservation concern across its distribution range. The Arabian wolf is understudied in certain habitats (e.g., mountainous areas), which limits understanding of its overall ecology. Given its vulnerable conservation status, this study aimed to collect relevant data and information on incidents and potential threats facing this predator in the rugged mountainous habitats of western Tabuk province, Saudi Arabia, and how the effects of these threats can be minimized. In these mountain habitats Arabian wolves encounter various severe threats that challenge relevant conservation efforts. Observations of such threats-some of which result in wolf mortality-represent serious challenges to the survival of wild Arabian wolves. Conflicts with humans and livestock represent considerable threats that must be appropriately managed. Additionally, the potential association between Arabian wolves and free-ranging dogs requires further investigation. Various conservation scenarios and mitigation approaches can be applied to help reduce negative impacts on Arabian wolf populations and maximize their likelihood of survival. Overall, ensuring the persistence of such a unique desert-adapted apex predator in this ecosystem must become a conservation priority.
人类活动的扩张会破坏自然栖息地，从而增加对野生动物保护的威胁。由于人类对自然栖息地的改造，许多物种的野生种群数量已经下降。阿拉伯狼（）是灰狼的一个亚种，在其分布范围内都受到保护关注。在某些栖息地（如山区），对阿拉伯狼的研究较少，这限制了我们对其整体生态的了解。鉴于其脆弱的保护状况，本研究旨在收集有关沙特阿拉伯塔布克省西部崎岖山区这种食肉动物所面临的事件和潜在威胁的相关数据和信息，以及如何将这些威胁的影响降至最低。在这些山区栖息地，阿拉伯狼面临各种严峻威胁，这些威胁对相关保护工作构成挑战。对这些威胁的观察——其中一些导致狼死亡——对野生阿拉伯狼的生存构成严重挑战。与人类和牲畜的冲突是必须妥善应对的重大威胁。此外，阿拉伯狼与散养犬之间的潜在关联需要进一步调查。可以采用各种保护方案和缓解措施来帮助减少对阿拉伯狼种群的负面影响，并最大限度地提高它们的生存几率。总体而言，确保这种独特的适应沙漠的顶级食肉动物在该生态系统中持续存在必须成为保护工作的优先事项。
