Amur Leopard
By Gabriella Francisci
Amur Leopards: a Critically Endangered Species
The Amur Leopard is a critically endangered species of leopard, that is found in the temperate forests of the Russian Far East. The scientific name of this leopard is Panthera Pardus Orientalis.
- Also known as the Manchurian leopard, and the Korean leopard.
- Conserving the Amur leopard's habitat benefits other species, such as deer.
- Amur leopards are currently critically endangered, with a population of more than 60.
- The Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world.
- The Amur leopard is also found in the river basins at the base of Russia's mountains.
Amur Leopard in the wild
Threats faced in the wild
Amur Leopard cub
Threats
Threats to the Amur leopard's Population Include...
- The Amur leopard faces prey scarcity in the wild, meaning that the animals that they eat to survive are being poached.
- The Amur leopard's habitat is being logged for wood, and deforestation for new urban development is also occurring.
- Amur leopards are often illegally poached for their fur and skin.
- Inbreeding is also occurring more leopards to develop abnormalities and die.
Conservation Efforts
- WWF is making efforts to stop illegal poaching, and illegal fur trades.
- Efforts to increase the population of the Amur leopards prey, such as the roe deer.
- Conservationists are increasing areas of protected land in the areas where these leopards live.
- In 2012, Russia's government created a protected area for these leopards, called the Land of the Leopard National Park. This park contains breeding areas, and is also home for the endangered Amur tigers too.
- Anti poaching brigades try and work to protect these leopard's habitats, and try and prevent them from being poached for their fur.
- People can adopt these leopards in the wild, which contributes to protecting them.
anti poaching
Anti poaching brigades, such as these, work to protect the Amur leopard from being hunted illegally by poachers for its valuable fur.
Amur leopard fur
These leopards are hunted for their valuable fur.
possible extinction?
With the number of Amur leopards left in the wild, they are becoming closer to facing extinction.