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Amur
leopard
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Panthera
pardus orientalis
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southern
Siberia
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large areas of Africa and Asia, several sub-species of leopards -
once relatively common - are under threat from hunting and loss of
habitat. The most endangered of these is the Amur Leopard... |
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Description
This sub-species
of leopard has a denser fur as an adaptation to survival in the
colder climate of Siberia where winter tempertures can fall as low
as -30ºC. Females are generally smaller in size and weight to males.
Adult weight varies from 25 to 50kg. The black spots of the leopard
form 'rosettes' with a background coat varying from yellow to rust
colour. A black or melanistic form of leopard occurs occasionally;
caused by a genetic mutation. Even with black leopards (panthers)
the spot pattern can still be seen on close observation.
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Range
This
subspecies is now limited to a region of southern Siberia near Vladivostok
encroaching the borders of China and North Korea. Their natural
range is inhibited by food availablilty and the severity of the
harsh Siberian winters.
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Reproduction
Gestation: 90
to 105 days.
Litter Size:
1 to 4 cubs.
Non-seasonal
breeding in captivity January
to February in the wild.
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St Thomas has successfully bred 13 Amur leopards and has sent offspring
to Canada, Germany and the United States to make up new breeding pairs.
These international links are aimed at building a sustainable population,
essential if the leopard is to be released back into the wild in future. |
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Conservation
Due to hunting
and the conversion of land for commercial deer farming, the Amur
leopard is now severley endangered as a sub-species. The last count
of the surviving wild population estimated only 40 or so left. The
leopards are killed for body parts used in Chinese medicine and
sometimes shot or trapped by farmers protecting their livestock.
The captive population now numbers more than 200 captive bred animals
in zoos and wildlife parks around the world. There are captive breeding
programmes at both European and International levels and breeding
is now carefully co-ordinated to maintain genetic diversity. Many
zoos including The Wildlife Park at Cricket St Thomas contribute
to in-situ conservation through awareness and fund-raising for organisations
such as The
Tigris Foundation.
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Leopards
At
The Park
We currently
have one pair of Amur leopards at Cricket St Thomas. The female
named Thani was born at Tierpark Berlin in 1994. She has previously
bred a litter of three cubs by our former breeding male Jessie.
Her mother 'Ninja' was also resident at Cricket St Thomas previously
before moving to Berlin in 1993 Our male is named Gonam. He has
only arrived at the park in February 2000 after an exchange of males
with the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire. He was born at Frankfert
Zoo in 1993 and came to England in 1997. We also have three young
leopards born to our breeding pair in 2004. Thye are currently awaiting
new homes to go to.
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