Far Eastern leopard: description, number. Far Eastern (Amur) leopard Far Eastern leopard brief description

Panthera pardus orientalis

Order: Predatory (Carnivora)

Family: Feline (Felidae)

Genus: Panthers (Panthera)

Protected:

The number of the entire world population of the Far Eastern leopard is about 40 - 50 individuals, and most of lives on the territory of Russia in the Primorsky Territory - 30 - 40 individuals, and less than 10 individuals in the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang in China. AT South Korea last meeting with a leopard was noted in 1969.

In the Red Book Russian Federation the Far Eastern leopard belongs to category I, as the rarest subspecies on the verge of extinction with an extremely limited range, the main population of which is within Russia. Also, the Far Eastern leopard is included in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and in Appendix I of the Convention on international trade types wildlife and endangered flora (CITES). Leopard hunting has been banned since 1956. In Primorye, about half of the range of the Far Eastern leopard falls on the territory of the territory created in 2012. national park"Land of the Leopard"

Where does he live:

Habitat countries - Russia, China.

Far Eastern leopard- the northernmost subspecies of leopards, its area of ​​\u200b\u200bdistribution extends just north of the 45th parallel. Currently, the Far Eastern leopard lives only in the southwest of Primorsky Krai.

A typical habitat for the Far Eastern leopard is coniferous-deciduous forests of the Manchurian type. This representative of the cat family prefers territories with rugged terrain, steep slopes of hills, rock outcrops and watersheds.

The size:

The length of males reaches 136 cm, females - 112 cm, tails, respectively, up to 90 cm and 73 cm, weight up to 53 kg or, possibly, up to 60 kg.

Appearance:

This wonderful beautiful cat has a flexible, slender and at the same time elongated body, rounded head, long tail, slender, very strong legs.

The hairline does not exceed 2.5 cm in summer, and in winter it becomes more lush, thick and long, reaching 5-7 cm. Winter coloration varies from light yellow to rusty reddish and yellowish red with a golden hue. In summer it becomes brighter. Scattered throughout the body, clearly defined solid black rings of spots, or individual spots in the form of rosettes, give the skin of the Far Eastern leopard a special, unique color.

The eyes are yellow, the pupil is vertically oval, becoming round in the dark, the claws are dark chocolate with white ends, very mobile and retractable into a special "sheath" so as not to blunt them when walking.

Behavior and lifestyle:

Leads mainly a twilight lifestyle. It usually goes hunting an hour or two before sunset and hunts the first half of the night, although it sometimes pursues prey during the day, especially on cloudy cold days and in winter. It also appears at the watering hole at dusk.

Food:

The food of the leopard is mainly ungulates: roe deer, young wild boar, spotted deer and red deer calves. In addition, the leopard eats hares, badgers, raccoon dogs, pheasants, hazel grouses and various insects.

Reproduction:

Far Eastern leopards reach sexual maturity at 2.5-3 years, with males a little later than females. The mating season usually begins in the second half of winter. After 3 months, from 1 to 5 cubs appear in the den, which the female arranges in placers of stones, in caves and under overhanging rocks, usually there are 2-3 of them. Kittens are born blind, covered in thick, pretty long hair. The skin is dotted with small dark brown and black spots that do not form rosettes. The weight of a newborn is 500-700 g, the body length is about 15 cm. They begin to see clearly on the 7-9th day. On the 12-15th day, the kittens begin to crawl around the nest, and by two months they leave the den. At this time, the female regurgitates half-digested meat to them, then they begin to eat the prey brought by the mother. The female feeds the kittens alone. Young animals stay with their mother until her next estrus, and, left by the female, do not part with each other until the end of winter. The female may give birth annually, but the mortality rate among the young appears to be very high.

Lifespan:

In captivity they live up to 20 years, in nature 10-15 years.

Habitat:

Dimensions of individual plots the Far Eastern leopard is small - about 5-8 thousand hectares, and the animals themselves are strictly territorial predators: each adult animal has its own area, which does not overlap with areas of individuals of the same sex.

Threats mind:

The main reasons for the decline in the number of the Far Eastern leopard are: poaching, destruction of its range, due to logging, expansion of the network of automobile and railways, as well as frequent forest fires, reduction in populations of ungulates that make up the food base of this species, genetic depletion of the population due to closely related crosses.

Interesting Facts:

Each leopard has its own unique spotted pattern, thanks to which scientists distinguish between these predators.

The basis of its diet is ungulates - Siberian roe deer and spotted deer, but sometimes a leopard can also eat small animals, such as a raccoon dog, badger or hare. It will not be difficult for him, since this animal has excellent hearing and vision. The leopard is able to pick up very high sounds - with a frequency of up to 80 kilohertz (while a person hears only sounds with a frequency of up to 20 kilohertz). The spotted cat prefers to hunt at night, although it sometimes pursues prey during the day.

Interestingly, despite their predatory nature, leopards do not attack livestock that may wander into their territory. However, you should not come to the reserve with your pets: keepers warn that these cats actively attack stray dogs.

It is worth noting that Far Eastern leopards are very peaceful, and in the entire history there has not been a single case of a predator attacking a person. And young individuals, upon a chance meeting with a person, are in no hurry to run away, studying him with interest.

The spotted color of each predator is unique, like fingerprints in humans - scientists distinguish these cats from each other by it. A motley (or camouflage) pattern covers the entire body, there are single spots on the head and paws, and on the sides, back and tail they form rings, the so-called rosettes.

In general, these cats prefer to live alone. Each leopard has its own territory, in which the predator regularly moves to leave its marks. The only exceptions are females raising offspring. They live with their kittens until they reach adulthood, teaching them how to hunt and other useful life skills.

Far Eastern leopards differ from their southern counterparts only in thicker fur, as they have to deal with more severe conditions. weather conditions. This is not surprising, because the habitat of these predators is located in the southwest of Primorsky Krai and on the border of Russia with China.

The area where they live wild cats, dictates its conditions: the forests and mountainous terrain of the Far East force the leopard to be very mobile and dexterous. A spotted predator can jump to a height of at least 5 meters to drag its prey up a tree, the weight of which can exceed its own twice.

Leopards easily move not only through trees. Territories with rugged terrain, hills with steep rocky slopes are their native element, so these cats can be considered natural climbers.

Historically, leopards also lived on the Korean Peninsula, in the eastern provinces of China and the southern part of the Sikhote-Alin (Primorsky Territory). The reason for the decrease in the population of spotted predators was the destruction of habitats, the reduction of the food supply, poaching and the development of the infrastructure of the region. Currently, these cats are the rarest subspecies of the leopard: about 80 individuals live in wild nature and over 200 raptors in zoos around the world.

The restoration of the population of the Far Eastern leopard in Russia began in 2011, it was then that an autonomous non-profit organization"Far Eastern Leopards", whose supervisory board is headed by Sergei Ivanov, special representative of the President of the Russian Federation for environmental protection, ecology and transport.

The main goal of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards" is the study, conservation and restoration of the spotted population. In 2012, by a decree of the government of the Russian Federation, Primorye was formed. And in 2013, an amendment was made to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which provides for criminal punishment for illegal hunting, keeping, transportation and sale of especially valuable wild animals, including the Far Eastern leopard.

Concern for the conservation of the leopard is shown both in Russia and abroad. In the Red Book of the Russian Federation, it is classified as category I as the rarest subspecies on the verge of extinction with an extremely limited range, the main population of which is within Russia. Also, the Far Eastern leopard is included in the Red Book. International Union Conservation of Nature and Annex I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Leopard hunting has been banned since 1956.

Titles: Amur leopard, Far Eastern leopard, East Siberian leopard.

area: the original range occupied the territory of Russia (Primorsky Territory), Northeast China and the Korean Peninsula. At present, the leopard lives only in the south-west of Primorsky Krai (Khasansky, Nadezhdinsky, Shkotovsky, Partizansky, Olginsky, Khankaysky, Lazovsky districts).

Description: The Far Eastern leopard is a beautiful slender cat with a thick fluffy fur coat. This is one of the rarest and beautiful views felines in the world.
The body is flexible and slender with a long tail. The head is rounded.
The molt takes place twice a year. Summer coat is short (up to 2.5 cm), winter coat is dull, long with thick undercoat (from 5 cm on the back to 7 cm on the lower part of the body). The pupil is vertically oval. Paws are slender, strong, with strong retractable claws.

Color: winter from light yellow to rusty and red with a golden hue, the summer coat is brighter. Scattered over the body are solid, clearly defined black rings of spots or individual spots in the form of rosettes. The eyes are gray-blue or blue-green. The nails are dark brown with white tips.

The size: 100-180 cm, tail 75-110 cm, height at withers 64-78 cm.

The weight: male 45-70 kg, female 25-50 kg.

Lifespan: in nature 10-15 years, in captivity up to 20 years.

Habitat: mountain forest areas, coniferous-broad-leaved forests of the Manchurian type on average and upstream rivers, territories with rugged relief, steep slopes of hills, rock outcrops and watersheds. In the mountains rises to 300-500 meters above sea level. In winter, the temperature in the habitats of the Amur leopard drops to -30 "C.

Enemies: the main one is a human. In habitats, the Amur tiger competes with it for food.

Food: the basis of the diet of the Far Eastern leopard is made up of wild artiodactyls: spotted deer and roe deer. When they are scarce, it eats badgers, raccoon dogs, Manchurian hares, wild boars, musk deer, red foxes, columns, squirrels, hedgehogs, hazel grouses, pheasants and other animals.
The leopard can endure long hunger strikes - from 15 to 20 days.

Behavior: The Far Eastern leopard leads a twilight lifestyle, goes hunting at dusk or at night. Sometimes it pursues prey during the day.
Hunts by stealing prey or by ambushing it. Approaching the victim, it tries to use the local terrain to get as close as possible (5-10 m). He goes to the watering place at dusk.
The vision of the beast is very sharp, at a distance of up to 1.5 km the leopard can see the victim. Hearing and sense of smell are less developed.
Good for climbing trees and rocks. With large prey, it easily climbs trees.
At short distances, it can reach speeds of up to 55 km / h. The Amur leopard does not like to swim.
The leopard often uses the paths and roads made by man. He is not afraid of a person, does not attack, but tries to leave unnoticed. It does not tolerate the constant presence of a person and leaves such places forever.
Lives in the same area for many years, using the same trails and brood dens.

social structure: Leopards live alone, in pairs and families.
Sites of same-sex individuals do not overlap. On the territory of the male, there are usually several sites of females. The female has a territory of 60-100 km 2, on which she lives with her cubs. Animals regularly go around their sites, put marks on trees at the borders or leave scratches on the ground.

reproduction: leopards - polygamous - one male can take care of several females. The female gives birth to kittens once every two years. The lair is arranged in caves, crevices, under twisted tree roots in deaf, secluded places. The male periodically visits the female with kittens and helps her hunt.

Season/breeding period: throughout the year, but the peak is in January-February.

Puberty: an average of 2.5-3 years. Males take slightly longer to mature than females.

Pregnancy A: lasts 90-105 days.

Offspring: there are 1-3 blind spotted kittens in a litter. Newborn kittens weigh 400-600 g, their size is 15-17 cm. Eyes open on the 7-9th day. When the cubs are a little over a month old, they begin to emerge from the lair. At 2 months of age, the mother begins to feed them with semi-digested meat. At the age of three months, the children's drawing changes to an adult one (spots turn into rosettes). Young people stay with their mother for up to two years.

Benefit / harm to humans: The Far Eastern leopard is the most peaceful of the leopards. It does not attack a person; over the past 50 years, not a single case of an unprovoked attack has been registered. It rarely attacks livestock.
The leopard is hunted because of its unusually beautiful fur.

Population/conservation status: The species is listed in the International Red Book as the rarest, critically endangered subspecies with an extremely limited range. In 2000, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe range was only 2,500 km 2. The species is also listed in the Red Book of Russia, in the CITES Convention (Appendix I).
Leopard hunting has been banned since 1956.
Over the past 20 years, the number of the species has decreased tenfold. For 2002-2003 28-33 Amur leopards remain in Primorye.
The main threats to the species are: poaching, habitat destruction (logging, Forest fires, road construction) and a decrease in the range, a decrease in the population of ungulates, the genetic depletion of the population due to inbreeding.

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A leopard (leopard) is an animal that belongs to the class of mammals, the order of carnivores, the cat family, the subfamily of big cats, and the genus panther.

International scientific name : Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758).

The Greek word πάνθηρ, from which comes the word "panther", another name for the leopard, consists of two bases: πάν (everything, everywhere) and θήρα (beast, predator), that is, literally "full-fledged predator." Although it is believed that the word "panther" comes from the Sanskrit pundarikam - "tiger", "yellowish beast". Prefix leo from Greek Λέων indicates a relationship with. In Russia, the leopard was known as the leopard, pard and pardus, although the last two names also applied to another animal - the cheetah. The word leopard, which is also called this species mammal, is of Turkic origin.

The leopard is able to attack a person. But man-eating leopards are much less common than those attacking people and lions. Only an old or sick animal can do this. A healthy and young animal attacks a person only if it is wounded.

A leopard eats up to 20 kg of meat per day. Killing big booty, he feeds on it for another 4-5 days. Only after that the leopard goes on the next hunt.

Leopards drink a lot, especially after eating. In this regard, they always settle in those places where there is constant water. Cats go to the watering hole, as a rule, at night.

In addition to animal meat, leopards eat grass to cleanse gastrointestinal tract from the wool that is swallowed while cleaning their fur.

How do leopards hunt?

Leopards are nocturnal hunters. But sometimes they can hunt during the day, especially in cloudy weather. Leopards go for prey in the pre-sunset hours and hunt in the first half of the night. If the hunt was unsuccessful, they continue it in the pre-morning time.

These predators are able to attack a variety of animals, acting cunningly and swiftly. They lie in wait for victims, mainly on the ground, but at the same time, they perfectly climb trees, overtaking prey there as well. The gait of these feline representatives is silent. They try to watch for their prey on animal trails or at a watering place, on salt licks or even on a tree branch. Leopards quietly and deftly sneak up on the object of hunting, approaching it by 2 meters, and make a decisive throw. The leopard does not like to pursue the victim: for the beast attacked from an ambush, he most often runs no more than 40-50 meters. Leopards kill small animals with a bite to the neck. Jumping on the back of a large animal, they knock it down, lean with the whole weight of the body, wrap their paws around the neck of the victim and bite through her throat or back of the head.

Leopards usually hunt alone. The female can go hunting with adult children, while the family has not yet broken up. As a rule, leopards kill one animal without touching or frightening the rest. If the leopard does not eat the killed victim immediately, then he can drag the remnants of the meal up a tree to protect him from and other corpse-eaters. But usually they carry the remains several hundred meters away and hide them in thickets of plants. These predators do not compete with others big cats because of food, as they feed not only on large ungulates.

Leopard breeding

In the southern regions of their habitat, leopards breed all year round. On the Far East they mate in January. During the mating season, male leopards are aggressive, often fight, roar loudly. Leopards arrange a lair for offspring in the most remote and secluded places. These can be various recesses: under trees, under stones, in rocks. Before the appearance of the babies, the female lines the bottom of the den with dry leaves and grass.

The pregnancy of a leopard lasts 3 months. Childbirth occurs at night and lasts 6-10 hours. Usually there are 1-4 babies in the litter weighing 500-700 g and body length up to 15 cm, but up to 6 newborn kittens may appear. Leopard cubs are born blind and helpless, covered with long, thick brownish fur with dark spots. They begin to see clearly after 1.5 weeks, and get up on their feet only after 2 weeks, crawling along the den. Leopard kittens meow like their domestic relatives. If the female leopard feels danger, she hides the kittens in another place, carrying them in her teeth one by one. Until 6-8 weeks, the female keeps the babies in a shelter, and then they begin to leave the den to play. The female feeds them with meat food: first, burping out half-digested food, and then bringing them killed small animals and birds. At 5-6 months, after the mother stops feeding the cubs with milk, she begins to lead them to the killed prey.

The brood follows the mother more than a year learning how to hunt and survive before she goes into heat. Young leopards from the same brood stay together for some time. They become sexually mature after 2 years, and females are slightly earlier than males. During this period, young animals disperse and settle in other places.

Subspecies of leopards, photos and names

The leopard is a type of animal from the genus Panther. In this form, several subspecies are distinguished:

1. Panthera pardus delacouri (Pocock, 1930) - Indochinese leopard,
2. Panthera pardus fusca (Meyer, 1794) - Indian leopard,
3. Panthera pardus japonensis (J. E. Gray, 1862) - northern Chinese leopard,
4. Panthera pardus kotiya (Deraniyagala, 1956) - Ceylon leopard,
5. Panthera pardus melas (G. Cuvier, 1809) - Javan leopard,
6. Panthera pardus nimr (Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833) - South Arabian leopard,
7. Panthera pardus orientalis (Schlegel, 1857) - Far Eastern leopard, Amur leopard, East Siberian leopard,
8. Panthera pardus pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) - African leopard,
9. Panthera pardus saxicolor (Pocock, 1927) is the Persian leopard. At present, the Persian leopard (Caucasian leopard) (lat. Panthera pardus tulliana, Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) is also combined with Persian.

Below is short description each subspecies.

• Indochinese leopard (lat.Panthera pardus delacouri) - a subspecies that often has a black color. The predator lives in South-East Asia(Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand). According to data from 2016 (Rostro-García et al., 2016), it is no longer found in Singapore, may have been eradicated in Laos and Vietnam, and has almost disappeared from Cambodia and southern China.

The population, which does not exceed 2503 individuals, is constantly under the threat of destruction. Due to deforestation, the area that is the habitual habitat of this species is shrinking. Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade also have a negative impact on the number of the Indochinese leopard.

• Indian leopard (lat.Panthera pardus fusca).

The body length of males reaches 128-142 cm, the length of the tail is 71-92 cm, the maximum weight of the leopard does not exceed 77 kg. The length of the females is 104-117 cm, the length of the tail is 76-88 cm, the females weigh 29-34 kg.

Indian leopard lives in North India and adjacent countries: in Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, southern China. Indian leopards have long been famous as cannibals. Perhaps, in the old days, this was due to the fact that they ate the unburied corpses of people who died during periods of epidemics, and then, after tasting human meat, they continued to attack.

• Northern Chinese leopard (lat.Panthera pardus japonensis) has the same dimensions as the Amur leopard: body length up to 136 cm, tail - up to 90, weight up to 75 kg. The average weight of males is 50 kg, females - 32 kg.

Northern Chinese leopards are found in the forests and mountains of central and northeastern China. According to data from 2015 (Laguardia et al., 2015), the number of predators is 174-348 individuals. For comparison: in 1998 their number reached about 1000 individuals.

Males reach a length of 142 cm, females 114 cm. Male tail length - up to 96.5 cm, females - up to 84 cm. Maximum weight male up to 77 kg, females - up to 44 kg.

This species got its name from its only habitat - the island of Ceylon, which is now called Sri Lanka. In the wild live from 700 to 950 individuals (data for 2015).

• Javan leopard (lat.Panthera pardus melas) - one of the endangered subspecies, lives only on the island of Java in Indonesia. Dying out due to the reduction of the territory of residence, which is just over 3000 square meters. km and continues to decrease. According to data from 2008 (Ario et al., 2008), there are from 350 to 525 individuals in nature.

Previously, it was believed that the Javan leopard is exclusively black, but then it was found that spotted colors are also found among them.

• South Arabian leopard (lat.Panthera pardus nimr) - this is the smallest leopard, which reaches a length of no more than 140 cm and weighs up to 20 kg (for females) and up to 30 kg (for males). The color background can be either pale yellow or bright gold. Rosettes are patterned.

Once a predator was widespread in the Middle East. Currently, South Arabian leopards live only in small areas in the western part of Arabian Peninsula. An endangered subspecies in dire need of protection. According to data from 2008, no more than 45-200 South Arabian leopards live in the wild.

• Far Eastern leopard (Amur, East Siberian) (lat.Panthera pardus orientalis) also has the names Manchurian leopard or Korean leopard. Small subspecies. Body length 107 - 136 cm, tail length 82-90 cm, shoulder height up to 78 cm. The average weight of a leopard is 32-48 kg, but can reach 75 kg. It differs from other subspecies in softer and longer fur: 30-50 mm on the back and up to 70 mm on the belly. In winter, the color of the animal is lighter than in summer. The background varies from cream to golden. The sides are lighter, and the belly and inner side limbs are white. In summer, the color of the coat is more saturated. The predator's skull is strongly compressed in the interorbital region.

Currently, Far Eastern leopards live in a small area on the border of three states - Russia, China and North Korea. A century ago, the habitat occupied the entire Korean Peninsula, Primorye and areas in northern China. As of 2014, no more than 50-60 individuals remained in the wild. This is the rarest living leopard. Active efforts are currently underway to conserve and restore the population both in captivity and in the wild. Reserves have been created in the south of Primorsky Krai to preserve this rarest animal.

• African leopard (lat.Panthera pardus pardus) - the most common subspecies. Body length - up to 180 cm, tail - up to 110 cm. The maximum weight of males reaches 91 kg, while the average weight is 60 kg. Females weigh on average 35 to 40 kg.

The predator occupies vast territories in Africa, meeting in the mountains, savannahs, semi-deserts, wet tropical forests. Avoids desert areas in which there are no permanent sources of water. It is not found in the Sahara and in the desert regions of northern Africa and Namibia.

• Persian leopard ( he is Persian leopard, Caucasian leopard) (lat.Panthera pardus Saxicolor) - a large animal with a body length of up to 183 cm (according to the site www.inaturalist.org up to 259 cm) and a tail length of up to 116 cm. The mass of a leopard reaches 60 kg. The winter fur of the animal is pale, dull, the background is grayish-ocher, the spots are relatively rare, of a brownish hue. Summer fur can be of two types - lighter and darker.

According to 2008 data, there are from 870 to 1290 adults in the world. Persian leopards live in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, eastern Turkey, Turkmenistan (in the Kopetdag mountains); in Azerbaijan: in Nakhichevan, in the Talysh mountains, in Karabakh; in Armenia and in the mountains of the Greater Caucasus on the territory of Georgia. The habitat of leopards is the bases of rocks and placers of stones, sometimes plains overgrown with shrubs.

Individuals that were previously widespread in the North Caucasus were completely exterminated in the middle of the 20th century. But one can hope that predators will return to these places again, since since 2007 a program has been launched in Russia to restore the population of the Persian (Caucasian) leopard. The Center for the Restoration of the Leopard in the Caucasus operates on the territory of the Sochi National Park, and its first pets have already been released into the wild. Persian leopard included in the Red Book of Russia as an endangered species.

Although a rare subspecies of leopards can be found in the Far East of our country, as well as in northern China. This subspecies is called the Far Eastern Amur leopard. It is also known as the Amur leopard.

This predator was listed in the Red Book. It belongs to a subspecies that is on the verge of extinction. The population of the Far Eastern leopard is in critical condition today.

At the same time, the moment that Amur tiger- its famous "cousin" - has increased the number of its population, gives hope for the preservation of this subspecies. There is an opinion that the Amur leopard, the photo of which is presented in this article, can be saved through the implementation of various environmental projects.

Description of the breed

This leopard has many distinctive features from other felines. AT summer period wool reaches 2.5 centimeters in length, and in winter it is replaced by 7 centimeters. In frosts, the Amur leopard has a light coat color with a reddish-yellow tint, while in summer more saturated and bright colors predominate.

The Far Eastern Amur leopard (photos of the animal are presented in this article) has long legs allowing him to walk freely in the snow. At the same time, the weight of males reaches 48 kg, although there are also larger representatives of the breed - 60 kg. Females weigh up to 43 kg.

habitation

At the beginning of the 20th century, the leopard was found in the south of the Sikhote-Alin, as well as in the southwestern part, although in last years he was not identified there. At present, the Amur leopard lives in the mountain forest regions of the southwestern part of Primorsky Krai, where it clearly prefers cedar-black-fir-broad-leaved forests. It is less willing to populate especially pyrogenic oak forests, the areas of which are increasing due to annual fires.

This representative of the Cat family chooses territories with steep slopes of hills, rugged terrain, watersheds and rocky outcrops. Its range has now been reduced to a critical size and covers only a mountain forest limited area of ​​​​15 thousand km² (in Primorye, from to the Razdolnaya River, as well as on the border with the DPRK and the PRC).

Historical distribution

Today, the distribution of the subspecies has shrunk to a small fraction of its historical original range. Initially, the Far Eastern leopard lived throughout the northeastern part of Manchuria, in the provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, including, in addition, on the Korean Peninsula.

and reproduction

In the Amur leopard, puberty occurs at the age of 3 years. In the wild, life expectancy is about 15 years, while in captivity it is 20 years. At the Amur leopard mating season falls in the spring. Litter includes 1-4 cubs. At the age of three months, they are weaned, while the cubs gain independence at 1.5 years, leaving their mother in order to then lead a solitary life.

social structure

Amur leopard(pictures with his image are presented in this article) prefers a single night image life. But some males after mating can stay with their females, and also help in raising the cubs. It often happens that several males simultaneously pursue one female, and also fight for the opportunity to mate with her.

Food

The basis of its diet is roe deer, raccoon dogs, hares, small boars, badgers, spotted deer.

Main Threats

The Far Eastern Amur leopard in the period from 1970 to 1983 lost more than 80% of its habitat. The main causes were: fires, timber industry, as well as the transformation of land for agriculture. But not all is lost. At the moment, there are liveable animals woodlands. It is possible to protect territories from the harmful influence of man, in addition, to increase the population.

Lack of loot

It should be noted that in China there are vast areas that are suitable habitat, while the level of food supply here is insufficient to maintain the population at the desired level. The volume of production may increase due to the regulation of the use of forests by the population, as well as the adoption of measures to protect ungulates. The Far Eastern leopard needs to repopulate its original habitat in order to survive.

Illegal trade and poaching

The Amur leopard is constantly hunted illegally because of its spotted and beautiful fur. In 1999, the investigation team conducted an experiment undercover: they were able to recreate the skin of a male and female Amur leopard, after which they sold it for $500 and $1,000.

This experiment demonstrates that there are illegal markets for such products and they are located near animal habitats. Villages and Agriculture surrounded by forests where these animals live. This creates access to forests, and poaching is a more serious problem here than in regions remote from people. This circumstance applies to both leopards and other animals that are exterminated for the sake of money and food.

Conflict with a person

It should be noted that the Amur leopard (the photo of the animal is admired for its beauty) is especially vulnerable, since deer make up part of its diet. Man's contribution to the general decrease in the number of deer, associated with the value of his antlers, prevents the leopard from getting enough food.

Due to the decline in the deer population, leopards often enter reindeer farms in search of food. The owners of these lands often kill animals to protect their investments.

Inbreeding

The Amur leopard is also under the threat of extinction due to its small population, which makes it vulnerable to a variety of disasters, including disease, forest fires, changes in death and birth rates, sex ratios, inbreeding depression. It should be noted that in nature observed and family ties, which means that this can lead to various genetic problems, including a decrease in fertility.

Similar matings are found in certain populations of large cats, although in small populations they do not allow outbreeding. Studies have shown that in an adult female, the average number of cubs has significantly decreased.

Unfortunately, at the present moment, the situation with the Amur leopard can be considered truly catastrophic - for example, over the past twenty years, its habitat area in our country has almost halved, while the number has decreased several dozen times. Due to this, the Amur leopard is protected today.

She attributed the animal to the first category as the rarest, which is on the verge of extinction, with a very limited range, whose main population is within our country. At the same time, the leopard was included in the Appendix of the First CITES Convention and in the Red Book of the Union for Conservation of Nature.