#far eastern leopard

[amurleopards]

Sightings of Siberian tigers increase in Northeast China national park - Global Times

“More frequent appearances by wild animals have been observed in the part of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park located in Hunchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, by a comprehensive air, space and land system, showing an increase in the amount of wildlife in the area and an improvement in the ecological environment after years of efforts to protect Siberian tigers and Amur leopards in northeastern China, the Global Times learned from the park on Tuesday. Now Siberian tigers can be seen nearly every day, according to Li Wanlu who works at the monitoring center and observes wildlife in the park via an air-space-land comprehensive monitoring system. The more frequent appearance of Siberian tigers captured by the system demonstrates the improvement of the ecological environment in the park, which has led to an increase in the number of wild animals in the area, Li told the Global Times. According to data released in October 2021, the number of wild Siberian tigers in the park has increased from 27 to 50 since the start of the pilot program, while that of Amur leopards has increased from 42 to 60, with more than 10 tiger cubs and seven leopard cubs discovered. As one of the first national parks in China, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park started pilot operation in January 2017, covering a planned area of 14,065 square kilometers.”

[amurleopards]

Two rare Amur leopards born at zoo - SDNews.com

“A birth of twins is exceptional, no matter the species. However, when those twins are Amur leopards—and fewer than 300 of those big cats are estimated to exist on Earth—the births are especially significant. This week, wildlife care staff at the San Diego Zoo announced the birth of two Amur leopard cubs, increasing this rare cat’s estimated worldwide population by two and furthering the nonprofit conservation organization’s ongoing work to save this vital Asian species.

“Witnessing the birth of Amur leopards is always an emotional experience,” said Gaylene Thomas, wildlife care manager at the San Diego Zoo. “There are so few of them left in their native habitat that every birth carries so much weight—and every living individual promises a glimmer of hope.”

The yet-to-be-named cubs have finally emerged from their quiet birthing den with their mother, Satka, allowing Zoo guests a chance to get their first glimpse of the tiny cats. Over the past several weeks, wildlife care specialists have been closely monitoring the cubs through a remote camera system, analyzing their behaviors and documenting their development. That initial hands-off approach was crucial, as it allowed the youngsters to bond with and learn from their mother.

The cubs were born as part of a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP). Each SSP program, overseen by conservationists nationwide, ensures genetic diversity and healthy, self-sustaining assurance populations of threatened and endangered wildlife. This is the third Amur leopard litter born at the San Diego Zoo. The first litter was in April 2018 (with two females), and the second was in April 2020 (with two males). All three were naturally sired by male Amur leopard Oskar.”

[amurleopards]

“The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is the ‘rarest cat in the world’. It used to be found once across the eastern edge of mainland Eurasia — the Russian Far East, the Korean Peninsula and northern China (Manchuria). But a number of anthropogenic factors led its population to crash, also causing loss of genetic diveristy in this subspecies of leopard.

However, all is not lost yet for this enigmatic cat of the taiga. Several individuals and organisations are working to revive it. One of them is Taisiia Marchenkova, a researcher in the Land of the Leopard National Park, Russia.

Her research focuses on population ecology and genetics of the Amur leopard, as well as statistical analysis and optimisation of data processing from camera traps using artificial intelligence.

Marchenkova was a keynote speaker in the recently concluded Global Leopard Conference (March 13-17, 2023). She spoke to Down To Earth on the Amur leopard.”

Read the full interview here: We hope to see Amur leopards back across their historic range in two decades by Rajat Ghai.

[amurleopards]

by Paul Bugbee

[amurleopards]

Hemker Zoo Gets New Rare, Endangered Cats

“Hemker Zoo and Park in Freeport has taken in an Amur Leopard and three Pallas Cats. Zoo owner and director Joan Hemker told KNSI News that having the animals helps further their goal. “By bringing these endangered species to the zoo, it will help us with our mission of teaching all generations about the importance of caring about animals that are endangered and need help.”

She says only around 100 Amur Leopards are left in the wild and around 180 in captivity. Both species are cold-weather cats native to Russia and China, making them a good fit for Minnesota’s climate. Hemker says the leopard is a large cat breed, and the others look distinct. “The Pallas Cats are smaller. We always say they resemble house cats, but they tend to look like a grumpy old man. And we think kids will really enjoy them a lot.”

The rare cats come from the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (EFBC), a nonprofit in California that was forced to close its doors in February due to financial hardship.”

[amurleopards]

2 week old Amur leopard cubs Brizzo and Avanti, born at the Potawatomi Zoo on July 26th, 2016, during a health check. Their birth marked nine successful Amur Leopard cubs born through four litters at the zoo since 2007.

[amurleopards]

by Penny Hyde

[amurleopards]

Moncton zoo welcomes extremely rare leopard to its clan

“Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton, N.B., is slowly opening for the season and has a new addition this year -- a rare Amur leopard.

With his light-coloured fur and distinguishable spots, Milan is a sight to see.

“Amur leopards are one of the more rare cats, probably the rarest of all the big cats in the world, the subspecies that comes from the Amur region, so we’re really fortunate to have him here,” said zoo Keeper, James Cann.

Milan arrived at the zoo at the end of November 2022, and his personality is just as impressive as his looks.

“We’re still getting to know and learn him, but he definitely has a lot of energy,” said Cann. “He’s very excitable. It’s a lot of fun getting to know him and work with him.”

Milan came from a zoo in Quebec and is one of the last of his kind.

“They’re estimating right now that the Amur leopard, there’s anywhere from 40 to 80 animals left in the wild,” said Magnetic Hill Zoo and Park director, Jill Marvin. “So each and every animal is precious and we want to protect them.”

Milan is part of a Species Survival Plan program.

“He is just an essential animal ambassador for a species out in the wild because that animal is in critical danger,” said Marvin.”