The advancing monsoon was descending on Salalah as I spent time there with a friend whose passion and work is with Leopard and whose family keep an extraordinary number of goats, potential prey.

During the course of a six hour trek through the mountain of Dhofar we were perhaps half an hour behind Leopard, scat and tracks being expertly examined for their story. The cloud cover and mist made what could have been an arduous exercise for me in the normal heat of Oman, comfortable . Like large cats the world over Omans Leopards are under considerable pressure –and it was a wonderful experience to share their habitat.

Tea and conversation surrounded by goats and kids (of both meanings) in a magnificent setting was a refreshing end to this visit to Dhofar. While the older goats are walked through the mountains, the kids kept in the vicinity of their pens until their mothers arrive back just before sunset were an enjoyable distraction as they cavorted around the area.