The information provided in this report will help to put local conservation priorities into a national context, thus maximizing the effectiveness of conservation measures, and facilitating the development of integrated national conservation strategies. It summarizes results for terrestrial mammals, and provides the first overview of the conservation status of these species to follow the IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status.
A national workshop was conducted and supported by the Regional Office for West Asia of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN ROWA) where all mammalian species have been assessed according to the IUCN categories and criteria (IUCN, 2001) and the guidelines for application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Level (IUCN, 2003). A taxon data sheet was compiled for each species, as well as a detailed distribution map. A total of 33 species (39%) out of the 85 assessed species are considered threatened, of which, ten are Critically Endangered, 20 are Endangered, and three are Vulnerable. In addition, five (6%) were considered to be Near Threatened, three (3%) are Data Deficient, 38 are Least Concern and six Regionally Extinct representing 7% of the assessed species. According to the assessment results, the majority of species are in danger. The main threat to all mammalian species is indiscriminate and sustained persecution through hunting, trapping and poisoning. Other threats include habitat destruction and degradation through overgrazing, expansion of roads and settlements and commercial and industrial development. The main conservation efforts highlighted in the establishment of several conserved areas including protected areas and special conservation areas, and mammals are surviving within. Effective law enforcement is needed where more staff should be allocated and trained. A sustained public awareness campaign is also required across Jordan to highlight the ecological importance of mammals and to counter the prevailing negative attitude towards them. Research on the ecology, population and conservation status of mammals is needed and should be encouraged through academic institutions. Establishing a natural history museum and a zoological garden is a tool to enhance the cooperation and documentation of records, as well as increase public awareness.
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