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solonavi 18 April 2007 Endangered & Extinction, General 1,250 views 2 Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

WWF

A new census of one of the world’s most endangered cat, the Far Eastern or Amur leopard, shows that as few as 25 to 34 are left in the wild, renewing fears for the future of the species.

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“The recent census confirmed once again that the Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) survives on a very shaky edge,” said Pavel Fomenko, biodiversity conservation programme coordinator at the Far-Eastern branch of WWF-Russia.

Mr Fomenko said encroaching civilization, new roads, poaching, exploitation of forests, and climate change had contributed to the leopards’ plight.

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According to Dr Pikunov, a mature leopard needs 500 square kilometres of habitat with good forests and high and stable amounts of ungulates, including deer. Two to four female leopards would live in the same amount of land, reproduce and nourish their cubs.

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About 5000 square kilometres of land in the south-west Primorye region, close to the border between Russia, China and North Korea, were transected for the census and tracks left by the leopards in the snow were counted. Scientists were able to determine the number of the leopards by examining the shape, size and patterns of the tracks as well as determine the direction and time of the animals’ movement.

In all, 35 field workers took part in the census, working in more than 158 transected sections. In all, 35 field workers took part in the census, working in more than 158 transected sections.

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The census 2007 found 7-9 male leopards, 3-7 females without cubs, 4 females with cubs, 5-6 cubs in all, and 6-8 undefined tracks. Total: 25-34.

This compares with 9 males in 2003, 7 females without cubs, 4-5 females with cubs, 4-5 cubs in all, and four undefined. Total: 28-30.

In 2000, the results were 4-5 males, 8-9 females without cubs, 1-2 females with cubs, 1-3 cubs in all and 8-9 undefined. Total: 22-28.

Area map of Amur leopard census
© WWF

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Description:

The Amur leopard has some very distinguishing features. The hairs of its summer pelt are 2.5 cm long but in winter they are replaced by 7 cm long ones. Apart from its long winter coat, the Amur leopard is easily told apart from other leopard subspecies by its widely spaced rosettes with thick borders. It also has longer legs, probably an adaptation for walking through snow.

The Amur leopard is habitually nocturnal and solitary. Nimble-footed and strong, it carries and hides unfinished kills so that they are not taken by other predators.

Size
Adult males: 32-48 kg, exceptionally large males weigh up to 75 kg. Females: 25-43 kg.

Colour
Light colour in the winter, more reddish-yellow in the summer.