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| The Bradford’s fox is seen in its habitat in the south of Jordan. Arbitrary hunting and possibility of habitat degradation and loss pose threats to the small number of this mammal, experts say (Photo courtesy of RSCN) |
By Hana Namrouqa
AMMAN - Ecologists announced on Monday that Blanford's fox (Vulpes Cana), a locally and globally threatened mammal, has been found in "more than expected numbers" in Jabal Masouda, a proposed protected area.
Previous studies indicated that the fox's habitat in Jordan was only in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the Wadi Rum Protected Area, and Petra, and that very few of them inhabited the Kingdom.
But a recent study funded by the Dutch government and carried out by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) found a larger community of Blanford's foxes in Jabal Masouda area.
"The proposed protected area was found to be home to the largest community of Blanford's fox in Jordan, which justifies preserving the site," Field Research Coordinator at the RSCN Ehab Eid said yesterday.
Located in the south of Jordan in Maan Governorate, Jabal Masouda is named after the highest mountain peak in the area. The site, with an elevation ranging between 180 metres and 1,500 metres above sea level, contains three bio-geographical zones - Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Arabian - according to the RSCN.
The proposed protected area, part of Al Sharah mountain series, is characterised by steep mountains and seven vegetation types, from juniper in the highlands to sand dunes and acacia trees along the valleys in the lowlands, according to the RSCN.
Eid said the Jabal Masouda proposed protected area stretches over 300 square kilometres, but the habitat of the Blanford's fox is restricted to only 50 square kilometres.
He said a lack of research in the area was the reason behind the late discovery of the species there.
"The Blanford's fox is listed under the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species. It is a small fox, active during the night, and has a thick, furry tail that helps it balance while jumping over steep rocky mountains," Eid told The Jordan Times yesterday over the phone.
Its thick, beautiful fur attracts hunters, which is the reason why it is now on the verge of extinction, he said, noting that illegal hunting of the animal combined with ignorance of its endangered status have caused it to become globally threatened.
"People in Jordan confuse the Blanford's fox with the red fox and locally call it 'Hsseini', not knowing that it is a globally threatened species," the ecologist said.
Destruction of the animal's habitat through the clearing of bushes where the Blanford's fox and other rodents feed is another factor leading to its gradual disappearance, he said, noting that unregulated tourism in the area is a major threat as well.
"What characterises the Blanford's fox is the fact that it can't adapt to another habitat, while the red fox, which is found in several regions, can switch from fields to mountains to forests without being threatened by the destruction of its natural habitat," Eid underscored.
A plan for protecting the small furry mammal, drawn up by the RSCN, mainly entails raising local communities' awareness of the uniqueness of Blanford's fox, in addition to preserving the animal and its habitat, according to Eid.
Jordan Times, 10 August 2010