The extinction of a species can be directly or indirectly linked to man and his quest for dominance and survival. There are many examples of this premise, but for now I will focus on its validity via the Arabian Peninsula’s coastline, and the similarities of extinction threads between the elusive Arabian Leopard and the fragrant Frankincense tree.
The Arabian Leopard
The Arabian Leopard is an exquisite, nocturnal cat, considered one of the rarest and most elusive sub-species whom once roamed freely within the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Leopard is the largest cat in the peninsula although the smallest of its species.
The Arabian Leopard is distinctively marked by a pale yellow to deep tan coat splashed with dark hued rosettes from tail to nose. It has short non-tufted ears and is a mouth breather with powerful large rounded paws and retractable claws. The Arabian Leopard is quite adapt at climbing rocks and stalking prey from nearly 90 species of insects and ungulates at pursuit speeds in excess of 58 mph.
The Spiral to Extinction
With dwindling world wide numbers, the Arabian Leopard fights for its life. Most of the 200 of these beautiful creatures remaining have migrated into the mountainous uplands of Oman, a country on the border of southeastern Arabia to escape human predators diminishing their food and water supplies while hunting the leopard itself for sport or protection.
However in their relocation to higher grounds and smaller game like baby camels and livestock, the Arabian Leopard now faced the wrath of local camel farmers, villagers and marauding frankincense harvesters in their need to survive.
The Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman seems to be the Arabian Leopard’s last line of defense. This strategic area provides the much needed shelter, shade, trapped water, and variety of prey to sustain The Arabian Leopard’s population. It is hoped that their resurgence will manifest a rational co-existence between man and leopard can be re-established without blood shed.
The Aromatic and Ancient Frankincense Tree
Frankincense also known as olibanum is made from the gummy resin of the Boswellia tree that oozes out when cut. The resin is then hardened, scraped off the tree in the form of teardrops then dried or steamed for use in essential oils. Both forms are quite edible and can be consumed or chewed like gum.
Today thousands of tons of frankincense are traded every year for use in various religious ceremonies, ( the Roman Catholic Church purchases approximately 90% of Somaliland‘s supply) perfumes, natural remedies, incense and essential oils. It has a woody, spicy smell that can be inhaled, seeped in tea, taken as a supplement or applied to the skin for health benefits. Frankincense is used in hundreds of holistic and alternative medicines ascertaining to help combat cancer, relieve digestive and arthritis discomfort, reduce asthma and promote better dental check ups.
Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian in the first century AD, recommended frankincense as an antidote to hemlock poisoning. He also wrote that the resin of the frankincense tree had made Arabians the richest peoples on earth.
The Spiral to Extinction
You would think that a plant that has been abused, over exploited, and made to exist in dry, arid conditions would have trouble propagating after 5000 years. The International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1998 warned about this very problem and concluded that the Frankincense species, Boswellia sacra (accounting for approximately 2/3 of the global frankincense production) is near extinction. Habitat loss and overexploitation in some of the harshest regions of the world beset by poverty and conflict rank among its most egregious enemies.
The Thread
Harvesting and selling of the frankincense resin is one of the only sources of income for its impoverished countrymen resulting in over tapping of the trees. Heavily tapped trees (harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns) produce seeds that germinate at only 16% while seeds from trees not heavenly tapped germinate at more that 80%.
Herein lies the thread between the frankincense tree and the Arabian Leopard: both the plant and the animal are at a point of extinction but one is furthered endangered by the other. The resin from the Frankincense tree is so valuable , hordes of impoverished harvesters are seeking out new sources to exploit. One such area is near Oman’s Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve where the world’s finest and most expensive frankincense can be found. The marauding harvesters set up camps and disturb access to the hunting and water sources of the protected Arabian Leopard, killing them if they get too close.
Conclusion
As of this writing a concentrated effort to save the Arabian Leopard is being sought by the Oman government and other middle eastern countries but it may be too little too late. Because of the demand and profits gained by the Frankincense trade and its dwindling supplies, not enough outrage or temperance has been shown to stop the onslaught or better the plight of its out of control harvesters. Sooner rather than later both precious species will be gone and our world will weep again of innocence lost, largely from the hand of man.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankincense.
- https://researchoutreach.org/articles/save-frankincense-overharvesting-precious-commodity-approaches-ensure-sustainability/
- https://www.youngliving.com/blog/the-true-legendary-omani-frankincense-boswellia-sacra/
- https://www.newscientist.com/article/2115755-rare-arabian-leopards-forced-out-by-frankincense-harvesters/
- https://www.earthtouchnews.com/conservation/endangered/how-the-lure-of-frankincense-puts-arabian-leopards-in-danger/
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