Persian leopard: Difference between revisions
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In Iran, primary threats are habitat disturbances followed by illegal hunting and excess of livestock in the leopard habitats. The leopards' chances for survival outside protected areas appear very slim.<ref>Sanei, A. and Zakaria, M. (2009) [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B7Vwy9iDuZifMWI0ZGJiNWEtZDJmYi00NzEzLTkxZWItNDQwNWU3MzBkYTE5&hl=en ''Primary threats to Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) in the Islamic Republic of Iran'']. Proceedings of the 8th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management. 3-4 May 2009. Diterbitkan Oleh, Terengganu, Malaysia</ref> |
In Iran, primary threats are habitat disturbances followed by illegal hunting and excess of livestock in the leopard habitats. The leopards' chances for survival outside protected areas appear very slim.<ref>Sanei, A. and Zakaria, M. (2009) [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B7Vwy9iDuZifMWI0ZGJiNWEtZDJmYi00NzEzLTkxZWItNDQwNWU3MzBkYTE5&hl=en ''Primary threats to Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) in the Islamic Republic of Iran'']. Proceedings of the 8th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management. 3-4 May 2009. Diterbitkan Oleh, Terengganu, Malaysia</ref> |
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== Taxonomic history == |
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The Russian explorer [[Konstantin Alexejewitsch Satunin|Satunin]] first described the Caucasian leopard ''P.p. ciscaucasica'' in 1914 on the basis of a specimen from the [[Kuban]] region of North Caucasus.<ref>Satunin, K. A. (1914) ''Key of the Mammals of the Russian Empire.'' Vol. 1: Chiroptera, Insectivora and Carnivora. Tipografīi︠a︡ Kant︠s︡eli︠a︡rīi nami︠e︡stnika E.I.V. na Kavkazi︠e︡ , Tiflis. (in Russian)</ref> The British zoologist [[Reginald Innes Pocock|Pocock]] described specimens from different areas of Persia as ''P. p. saxicolor'' in 1927, recognizing the similarity to ''P.p. ciscaucasica''.<ref>Pocock, R. I. (1927) ''Description of two subspecies of leopards.'' Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 9 (20): 213–214.</ref> Today, these names are considered synonyms.<ref name="khorozyan2006">Khorozyan, I. G., Gennady, F., Baryshnikov, G. F., Abramov, A. V. (2006) [http://wild-cat.org/pardus/infos/Khorozyan2006Leopard-taxonomy.pdf ''Taxonomic status of the leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the Caucasus and adjacent areas'']. Russian Journal of Theriology 5(1): 41–52.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 19:29, 1 November 2011
Persian leopard | |
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Subspecies: | P. p. ciscaucasica
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Trinomial name
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Panthera pardus ciscaucasica Satunin, 1914
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The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica), also called Caucasian Leopard, is the largest leopard subspecies, and is native to eastern Turkey, the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and parts of western Afghanistan. It is endangered throughout its range with fewer than 871–1,290 mature individuals and a declining population trend.[1]
Description
The leopard is large, weighing up to 60 kg (130 lb), and light in colour.[2]
The Persian leopard is one of the largest of all the leopard subspecies. It can stand up to 2.5 ft (0.76 m) tall at the shoulder.[citation needed]
Biometric data collected from 25 female and male individuals in various provinces of Iran indicates average body length of 259 cm (102 in). A young male from northern Iran weighed 64 kg (141 lb).[3]
Distribution and habitat
The Russian explorer Satunin first described the Caucasian leopard P.p. ciscaucasica in 1914 from a specimen in the Kuban region of North Caucasus.[4] In the 1920s, the British zoologist Pocock collected specimens from different areas of Persia and described them as Persian leopard P.p. saxicolor in 1927, though recognizing the similarity to P.p. ciscaucasica.[5] Today, these names are considered synonyms.[6]
There has been a huge decline in the former range of the leopard in the Caucasus, which is estimated to have once covered the whole region, except for steppe areas. The severe economic crisis following major political and social changes in 1992 in the former Soviet Union, together with a weakening of formerly effective protection systems resulted in a sharp rise in hunting of wild ungulates, persecution of leopards and fragmentation of the ranges of all wildlife.[7] As of 2008, of the estimated 871-1,290 mature leopards
- about 200–300 survive in Afghanistan, where their status is poorly known;
- fewer than 10–13 survive in Armenia;
- fewer than 10–13 survive in Azerbaijan;
- fewer than 5 survive in Georgia;
- about 550–850 live in Southwest Asia;[8]
- about 3–4 survive in Nagorno-Karabakh;
- fewer than 10 survive in the Russian North Caucasus;
- fewer than 5 survive in Turkey;
- about 78–90 live in Turkmenistan.[1]
Their habitat consists of subalpine meadows, broadleaved forests and rugged ravines from 600–3,800 metres (2,000–12,500 ft) in the Greater Caucasus, and rocky slopes, mountain steppes, and sparse juniper forests in the Lesser Caucasus and Iran.[7] Only some small and isolated populations remain in the whole ecoregion. Suitable habitat in each range country is limited and most often situated in remote border areas. Local populations depend on immigration from source populations in the south, mainly in Iran.[9]
The Persian leopard is a flag-ship species. Its presence is a sign of the health of the entire ecosystem.
In Armenia
In Armenia, people and leopards co-existed since the early
In Azerbaijan
Leopards are present in the Talysh Mountains in the far southeast, where their habitat is continuous with that on the Iranian side of Talysh Mountains. Only very few individuals survive in the Ilisu State Reserve in the northwest.[9]
Despite occasional sightings, it was not clear whether leopards had been extinct in Azerbaijan by the late 1990s, until a specimen was
In Georgia
Since 1954, leopards were thought to be extinct in Georgia — killed by hunters. In April 2001, an adult female was shot on the border to Kabardino-Balkaria, her two cubs captured and taken to the Novosibirsk Zoo in Russia.[13] In the winter of 2003, zoologists found footprints of a leopard in Vashlovani Reserve in southeastern Georgia and later camera-trapped one young male individual several times.[14] Leopard signs have also been found at two localities in Tusheti, the headwaters of the Andi Koisu and Assa rivers, bordering Dagestan.[9]
Over the last 60 years, there have been several sightings of leopards around the Tbilisi area and in the Shida Kartli province to the northwest of the capital. Leopards live primarily in dense forests, although several have been spotted in the lowland plains in the southeastern region of Kakheti in 2004.[citation needed]
In Iran
Leopards are mainly found in the
Seventy four protected and non-protected areas were identified across the country in recent years as sites where leopards are present. However, 69% of them are located in the Hircanian forests and Alborz mountain range in the northern part of Iran. This area is regarded as one of the most important habitats for leopards in the country.[3][15]
In
In the North Caucasus regions of Russia
Signs of leopard presence have been found in the upper Andiyskoe and Avarskoye Koisu rivers in Dagestan. According to local reports leopards may also occur in Ingushetia, Ossetia and Chechnya. Leopards no longer occur in the Western Caucasus.[9] In 2009, a leopard reintroduction centre was created in Sochi National Park, where two male leopards from Turkmenistan are being kept since September 2009, and two females from Iran since May 2010. Their descendants will be released into the wild in the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve.[17][18][19]
Ecology
Leopards' diet varies depending on the habitat of their territory. Their principal prey is the most abundant
They also hunt
Threats
The leopards are threatened by poaching, depletion of their prey base due to poaching, human disturbance such as presence of military and training of troops in border areas, habitat loss due to deforestation, fire, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure development.[9]
In Iran, primary threats are habitat disturbances followed by illegal hunting and excess of livestock in the leopard habitats. The leopards' chances for survival outside protected areas appear very slim.[22]
Taxonomic history
The Russian explorer Satunin first described the Caucasian leopard P.p. ciscaucasica in 1914 on the basis of a specimen from the Kuban region of North Caucasus.[23] The British zoologist Pocock described specimens from different areas of Persia as P. p. saxicolor in 1927, recognizing the similarity to P.p. ciscaucasica.[24] Today, these names are considered synonyms.[6]
References
- ^ a b c Template:IUCN
- ^ Lukarevsky, V., Malkhasyan, A., Askerov, E. (2007) Biology and ecology of the leopard in the Caucasus. Cat News 2: 4–8
- ^ a b Sanei, A. (2007) Analysis of leopard (Panthera pardus) status in Iran (No.1). Sepehr Publication Center, Tehran. Pp. 298 (In Persian)
- ^ Satunin, K.A. (1914) Key of the Mammals of the Russian Empire. Vol. 1: Chiroptera, Insectivora and Carnivora. Tiflis: Tiflis : Tipografīi︠a︡ Kant︠s︡eli︠a︡rīi nami︠e︡stnika E.I.V. na Kavkazi︠e︡ (in Russian)
- ^ Pocock, R.I. (1927) Description of two subspecies of leopards. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 9 (20): 213–214
- ^ a b Khorozyan, I. G., Gennady, F., Baryshnikov, G. F., Abramov, A. V. (2006) Taxonomic status of the leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the Caucasus and adjacent areas. Russian Journal of Theriology 5(1): 41–52 Cite error: The named reference "khorozyan2006" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Breitenmoser, Ch. and U. (eds.) Status of the leopard in the Caucasus. Cat News Special Issue N° 2, May 2007 summaries online
- ^ Kiabi, B.H., Dareshouri, B.F., Ghaemi, R.A., Jahanshahi, M. (2002) Population status of the Persian leopard “(Panthera pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927)” in Iran. Zoology in the Middle East 26: 41–47
- ^ a b c d e WWF (2007) Strategy for the Conservation of the Leopard in the Caucasus Ecoregion. Strategic Planning Workshop on Leopard Conservation in the Caucasus. Tbilisi, Georgia, 30 May – 1 June 2007
- ^ Khorozyan, I. (2003) The Persian leopard in Armenia: research and conservation. Proceedings of Regional Scientific Conference “Wildlife Research and Conservation in South Caucasus”, 7–8 October 2003, Yerevan, Armenia: 161–163
- ^ Khorozyan, I., Malkhasyan, A. (2002) Ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) in Khosrov Reserve, Armenia: implications for conservation. Scientific Reports of the Zoological Society “La Torbiera” 6: 1–41
- ^ Khorozyan, I., Malkhazyan, A. G., Abramov, A. (2008) "Presence – absence surveys of prey and their use in predicting leopard (Panthera pardus) densities: a case study from Armenia." Integrative Zoology 2008, 3: 322–332
- ^ Khorozyan, I. G., Gennady, F., Baryshnikov, G. F. and Abramov, A. V. (2006) Taxonomic status of the leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the Caucasus and adjacent areas. Russian Journal of Theriology 5(1): 41–52
- ^ Antelava, N. (2004) Lone leopard spotted in Georgia. BBC News, 25 May 2004
- ^ Sanei, A., Zakaria, M. 2008. Distribution of “Panthera pardus” in Iran in relation to its habitat and climate type. In: A.A. Saiful, A. Norhayati, M.O. Shuhaimi, A.K. Ahmad, and A.R. Zulfahmi (Ed.) “Third Regional symposium on environment and natural resources.” Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia, Malaysia
- ^ Ghoddousi, A., Hamidi, A.Kh., Ghadirian, T., Ashayeri, D., Khorozyan, I. (2010) The status of the Endangered Persian leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor in Bamu National Park, Iran. Oryx 44 (4): 551–557 (Excerpts)
- ^ WWF (2009) Flying Turkmen leopards to bring species back to Caucasus. WWF, 23 September 2009
- ^ Sochi.Live (2010) Sochi welcomes leopards from Iran. Organizing Committee of the XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi, 4 May 2010
- ^ Druzhinin, A. (2010) Iranian leopards make themselves at home in Russia's Sochi. RIA Novosti, 6 May 2010
- ^ Hamidi, A.H.K. (2008) Persian Leopard Ecology and Conservation in Bamu National Park, Iran. Cat Project of the Month – March 2008
- ^ Farhadinia, M.S., Nezami, B., Hosseini-Zavarei, F., Valizadeh, M. (2009) Persistence of Persian leopard in a buffer habitat in northeastern Iran. Cat News 51: 34–36
- ^ Sanei, A. and Zakaria, M. (2009) Primary threats to Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Proceedings of the 8th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management. 3-4 May 2009. Diterbitkan Oleh, Terengganu, Malaysia
- ^ Satunin, K. A. (1914) Key of the Mammals of the Russian Empire. Vol. 1: Chiroptera, Insectivora and Carnivora. Tipografīi︠a︡ Kant︠s︡eli︠a︡rīi nami︠e︡stnika E.I.V. na Kavkazi︠e︡ , Tiflis. (in Russian)
- ^ Pocock, R. I. (1927) Description of two subspecies of leopards. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 9 (20): 213–214.
Further reading
- Khorozyan, I., Malkhasyan, A., Asmaryan, S. (2005) The Persian Leopard Prowls Its Way to Survival. Endangered Species Update 22 (2): 51-60 pdf
- Kiabi, B. H., Dareshouri, B. F., Ghaemi, R. A., Jahanshahi, M. (2002) Population status of the Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927) in Iran. Zoology in the Middle East 26: 41-47. abstract
- Aghili, A. (2005) Leopard Survey in Caucasus Ecoregion (Northwest) of Iran. Leopard Conservation Society, Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA), Iran Department of Environment, Natural Environment & Biodiversity Office
- Sanei, A. (2007). Analysis of leopard (Panthera pardus) status in Iran (No.1). Sepehr Publication Center (In Persian), Tehran, 298 p. ISBN:978-964-6123-74-8.
- Woodroffe, R. (2000)Predators and people: using human densities to interpret declines of large carnivores. Animal Conservation (2000) 3: 165–173
- Zulfiqar, A. (2001) Leopard in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. Cat News 35: 9–10.
- Shakula, V. (2004) First record of leopard in Kazakhstan. Cat News 41: 11–12
- Gasparyan, K.M. and F.S. Agadjanyan. 1974. The panther in Armenia. Biological Journal of Armenia 27: 84–87
- Janashvili, A. (1984) "Leopard". Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. Tbilisi, Pp. 567
External links
- Leopards .:. wild-cat.org — Information about research and conservation of leopards in Asia
- Iranian Cheetah Society : Leopards in Crisis in Northern Iran
- msnbc.com August 2007 : Zoo reveals rare Persian leopard triplets
- Asian Leopard Specialist Society: Research, Conservation and Management of Asian leopard subspecies
- Persian Leopard Conservation Society