Evidence of Sand Cat Population Found in Qatar's Al-Ureiq Reserve

Qatar University wildlife ecologist Muhammad Ali Nawaz and colleagues deployed camera traps in the Al‑Ureiq Reserve from 2022 to 2025, capturing more than 100 images of the elusive sand cat (Felis margarita). The footage, all recorded within the 55‑square‑kilometre protected area, provides the first systematic evidence of the species’ presence in Qatar and offers new insights into its range and habitat preferences. The findings were published in Frontiers in Conservation Science and highlight the resilience of desert‑dwelling fauna. According to Nawaz, the discovery “gives hope for the terrestrial wildlife in the country.”