In the UAE, this species has historically been impacted by both targeted fishing and by-catch, habitat degradation and loss from coastal development. Finning has been banned in the UAE, yet surveys indicate that some trade in the fins and meat of this species still occurs. Sharks are impacted by high levels of largely unmanaged and unreported mortality in target (for fins and their valuable meat) and bycatch fisheries. Marine habitats in the Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010). Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).

Overgrazing, especially by camels, has caused extensive habitat degradation outside protected areas which likely impacts on small mammal and other prey populations. Road construction and development are extending into the desert, facilitating colonisation by, and competition with, Vulpes vulpes. Generalised persecution (trapping, poisoning) of carnivores, loss and fragmentation of desert habitat, grazing pressure, agricultural development, and off-road driving in sand dune areas are the main threats in the region and in parts of UAE at least, it has been displaced around settlements by V. vulpes (Mallon and Budd 2011).

The threats to the species are not known.

Arabian Tahr is a protected species in UAE (Article 12 of Federal Law No. (24) of 1999), but hunting remains a popular activity. The mountainous terrain that tahr inhabit makes effective patrolling difficult, but trained rangers and regular patrolling are needed to protect remaining tahr and any released animals. Overgrazing by domestic livestock reduces the quantity and quality of forage available, and therefore the number of tahr and other species that an area can support. Feral goats and donkeys are also present in many parts of the mountains, adding to the problem, and possibly also outcompeting tahr, obliging them to utilise areas with less suitable grazing, although donkeys are less likely to be found in the steep terrain preferred by Arabian Tahr. In some areas of prime habitat, there has been a steady increase in domestic livestock numbers, and new road networks make it easy to transport livestock to new pasture or to bring in supplementary food and water. The expanding network of graded secondary roads also fragments suitable habitat. In times of severe drought, Arabian Tahr have been found in poor condition. Conditions in the mountains in recent years appear to be becoming drier and hotter, with impacts on vegetation and availability of water. As tahr populations become smaller and more isolated, the movement of individuals between them is increasingly difficult, resulting in reduced genetic variation. Feral dogs have been seen chasing tahr on Jebel Hafeet (Al Bustan Zoological Centre and Environment Agency -“ Abu Dhabi 2015). Fencing of reserves and other areas in the Hajar Mountains impedes movement of animals between subpopulations and increases the negative effects of fragmentation. Escapes or releases around Jebel Hafeet, including in Wadi Tarabat, of exotic ungulates (Nubian Ibex Capra nubiana, Barbary Sheep Ammotragus lervia and Wild Sheep Ovis orientalis), which are much larger than tahr, represent potentially serious competition. Several diseases and other health issues have been reported in captive tahr populations. Infectious diseases include pasteurellosis, clostridium, E. colii, echinococcus, para-TB, PPT, FMD, (animals are routinely vaccinated against these); coccidiosis, upper respiratory tract diseases, purulent bacterial pneumonia, and malignant catarrhal fever. Non-infectious diseases include: dystocia, indigestion, chronic acidosis, capture myopathy and stress, hematoma, and abomasal obstruction. Husbandry issues include fighting among males and among females leading to injury or even death; other accidents/trauma and genetic problems related to small founder sizes (Al Bustan Zoological Centre and Environment Agency -“ Abu Dhabi 2015).

Information pertaining to threats specific to the UAE are unavailable. This species is impacted by bycatch fisheries that are active elsewhere in its range. Marine habitats in the Gulf are experiencing high levels of disturbance and quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (including dredging and reclamation), desalination plants, industrial activities, habitat destruction through the removal of shallow productive areas and major shipping lanes (Sheppard et al. 2010). Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).

Subject to generalised persecution of carnivores (shooting, trapping, poisoning) by livestock owners and farmers. Habitat in the Hajar Mountains is being lost, degraded and fragmented by quarrying, road building, and residential and tourism development.