Background: A funding application submitted to the Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund in November 2009 was approved for funding by the MBZSCF board in April 2010.  Funds were deposited in the Foundation account in July 2010 although work was delayed for various reasons until September.  The project commenced when volunteer Malini Pittet arrived in Sana’a on September 15th for orientation and the initial project team (Malini, Fadhl Al-Eryani, and David Stanton) flew to Al Ghaydhah for a conference with Al Mahrah Governor His Excellency Ali Mohammed Khodam on September 26th (Yemen Revolution Day).  Upon arrival in Hawf later that day, the team started immediately by building bridges with the local community and reconnoitering the area.  Following two months of successful camera trapping, Malini trained Foundation researchers Waleed Al-Ra’il and Murad Mohammed who have continued the project since with assistance from various volunteers.  The project budget allows for a full-year of research and possibly beyond.

Dates: September 15, 2010 – Present (ongoing)

Budget: $25,000, plus travel allowance, and in-kind contributions from the Foundation

Sponsors:  Main sponsor Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, with travel allowance provided by Murjan Travel.

• Ms. Malini Pittet – Graduate student at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
• Mr. Fadhl Al-Eryani – Interpreter
• Mr. Waleed Al-Ra’il – Biology graduate from Ibb University
• Mr. Murad Mohammed – Biology graduate from Ibb University
• Mr. Sa’ad Ali Sohail Saeed – Driver from Hawf
• Mr. Said Bakreet – Head of Hawf Local Council
• Mr. Michael Jennings – Coordinator of the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Arabia
• Ms. Carol Qirreh – Acupuncturist and colleague of Mr. Jennings
• Mr. Nicolas Dunais – Strategy Consultant at Ectelysis
• Ms. Barbara Settles – Teacher at Sana’a International School
• Ms. Kate Dixon – Teacher at Sana’a International School
• David Stanton - Executive Director of the Foundation for the Protection of the Arabian Leopard in Yemen

• Transportation, Communications, and Accommodation
• Salaries for Mr. Al-Ra’il and Mr. Mohammed
• Logistical support for researchers and volunteers
• Equipment – Generator, trail cameras, laptop, external hard drives
• Contingencies

• As of May 2011 more than 65,000 images including ~4,000 wildlife shots of 15 mammal species (including nine carnivores), 20 bird species, and 4 reptile species
• The first four pictures of Arabian leopards ever photographed in Yemen (three events of two animals over a four month period between January 11 and May 17, 2011)
• New bird records for Hawf (e.g. Hume’s Tawny Owl, Pharaoh Eagle Owl) and Yemen (e.g. Red-breasted Flycatcher)
• New reptile records for Hawf (e.g. Thomas's Racer)
• Increased conservation awareness among Hawf residents
• Thousands of dollars injected into the local economy