Species Hang in the Balance

BINOMIAL NAME:

Panthera Pardus Orientalis

ANATOMICAL PROPORTIONS:

5-9 ft. long (tip-to-tail)/ 2-3 ft. tall/ 60-165 lbs.

POPULATION (APPROXIMATE):

30-50

CONSERVATION STATUS:

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT:

Boreal and lowland forests, grasslands, and mountains of Primorski Krai in Eastern Russia

DIET:

Mostly ungulates, like roe and sika deer, but also wild boar, and wild hare

SPECIES THREATS:

First and foremost, a staggering loss of habitat (due to haphazard deforestation practices), has been the main downfall of Amur leopard populations.

Of course, the leopard's dense and luxurious coat continues to provoke illegal poaching; so does the use of its parts for traditional Asian medicine.

As with all species to reach critically low numbers, inbreeding is a reality for the Amur leopard, and the genetic health of the species has been thoroughly compromised. Perhaps ironically, the only chance of preventing its outright extinction, relies on human intervention---the success or failure of such species depends on captive breeding programs, which ultimately hope to introduce greater genetic diversity into wild populations

UNIQUE FACTS:

The Amur leopard lives in the northernmost habitat of all species of leopard.

Unlike most big cats, the Amur leopard is a strong swimmer, and takes well to water.

Perhaps more than any other endangered species (save the giant panda), the Amur leopard garnished strong momentum, exposure, and attention to its critical status, especially over the last decade. Indeed, the Russian big cat appears on a number of nature programs, and even received a public relations boost from the World Wildlife Fund, when they immortalized the animal into a plush toy as part of their prestigious "Adopt a Species Program".

DEVOTED ORGANIZATION:

Amur Leopard Conservation (ALTA)

• Donate to ALTA
• Buy an Amur Leopard T-Shirt
• Buy an Amur Leopard Portrait

• < Prev
• Next >