Amur leopard: Difference between revisions
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== Ecology and behaviour == |
== Ecology and behaviour == |
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Amur leopards are extremely conservative in their choice of territory. An individual's territory is usually located in a river basin and generally extends to the natural [[topographical]] borders of the area. The territory of two individuals may sometimes overlap, but only slightly. Depending on sex, age, and family size, the size of an individual's territory can vary from {{convert|5000|–|30000|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}. They may use the same hunting trails, routes of constant migration, and even places for extended rest constantly over the course of many years.<ref name=pikunov2000>Pikunov, D. G., Aramilev, V. V., Fomenko, V. V., Miquelle, D. V., Abramov, V. K., Korkishko, V. G., Nikolaev, I. G. (2000). ''Endangered species: The decline of the Amur leopard in the Russian Far East''. [http://www.wild-russia.org/pubs/pdfs/24.pdf Russian Conservation News 24]: 19−21.</ref> |
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At places where wild animals are abundant, leopards live permanently or perform only vertical migrations, trailing herds of [[ungulate]]s and avoiding snow. In the Ussuri region the main prey of leopards are [[Siberian Roe Deer|roe]] and sika deer, [[Manchurian wapiti]], [[musk deer]], [[moose]], and [[wild pig]]. More rarely they catch [[hare]], [[badger]], [[fowl]] and [[mice]]. In Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve roe deer is their main prey year-round, but they also prey on young Eurasian [[black bear]]s less than two years old.<ref name="Geptner1972"/> |
At places where wild animals are abundant, leopards live permanently or perform only vertical migrations, trailing herds of [[ungulate]]s and avoiding snow. In the Ussuri region the main prey of leopards are [[Siberian Roe Deer|roe]] and sika deer, [[Manchurian wapiti]], [[musk deer]], [[moose]], and [[wild pig]]. More rarely they catch [[hare]], [[badger]], [[fowl]] and [[mice]]. In Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve roe deer is their main prey year-round, but they also prey on young Eurasian [[black bear]]s less than two years old.<ref name="Geptner1972"/> |
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Revision as of 20:28, 25 December 2011
Amur leopard Korean: 고려표범 Russian: Дальневосточный леопард Chinese: 远东豹 | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | Panthera pardus |
Subspecies: | P. p. orientalis
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Trinomial name
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Panthera pardus orientalis Schlegel, 1857
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Area of distribution | |
Synonyms | |
Panthera pardus amurensis |
The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is a
The Amur leopard is also known as the Far Eastern leopard, Korean leopard, and Manchurian leopard.
Characteristics
Amur leopards differ from other subspecies by a thick coat. They show the strongest and most consistent divergence in pattern. Leopards from the
Their coat is fairly soft with long and dense hair. The length of hair on the back is 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) in summer and 50 mm (2.0 in) in winter. The winter coat varies from fairly light yellow to dense yellowish-red with a golden tinge or rusty-reddish-yellow. The summer pelage is brighter with more vivid coloration pattern. They are rather small in size and fall within the range of variation in linear measurement of the species. Measurement of six males range from 107 to 136 cm (42 to 54 in) with a tail length of 82 to 90 cm (32 to 35 in) and a shoulder height of 64 to 78 cm (25 to 31 in). In weight males range from 32.2–48 kg (71–106 lb), and females from 25–42.5 kg (55–94 lb).[3]
Distribution and habitat
The specimen first described by Hermann Schlegel in 1857 originated in Korea.[4]
Amur leopards used to be found in northeastern
In the 1970s, the Russian population had fragmented into 3 separate, small populations. After the turn of the century, the only remaining population is that of southwest Primorye, where the population inhabits an area of approximately 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi) along the borders with China and North Korea.[5]
The only official North Korean government site,
Ecology and behaviour
Amur leopards are extremely conservative in their choice of territory. An individual's territory is usually located in a river basin and generally extends to the natural
When density of ungulates is low, leopards have large home ranges that can be up to 100 km2 (39 sq mi).[7]
Reproduction
Sexual maturity sets in at the age of 2–3 years and ability to reproduce continues up to 10–15 years of age.
Threats
Amur leopards are threatened by poaching, encroaching civilization, new roads, exploitation of forests and climate change.[1]
Poaching
Poaching of leopards forms a main threat for the leopards' survival, and there are indications that the problem is growing. In 14 months from February 2002 to April 2003, seven skins or part of skins were confiscated, six in Russia and one in China. Leopards are most often killed by local Russians from small villages in and around the leopard habitat. Most of these villagers hunt entirely illegally; they have no licenses for hunting nor for their guns, and they are not members of one of the local hunting leases. Many live close to protected areas where no hunting is allowed and where it is even illegal to take a gun or dog into the forest.[5]
Forest degradation
Human induced fires are a main threat to the survival of the Amur leopard. Setting fire to fields is to a large extent simply a habit. Some fires are started for a particular purpose such as improving fertility for grazing, killing ticks and other insects, making scrap metals visible so that they can be easily collected, culling vegetation along train tracks, and stimulating
Development projects
A number of plans for economic activities in south-west Primorye were developed that posed a serious threat to the leopard’s survival. A plan to buil an oil pipeline from central Siberia through Primorye to the coast of the
Inbreeding
An acute problem is potential
Conservation
Panthera pardus is listed in
The Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA) is an initiative of Russian and western conservation organisations to conserve the Amur leopard and
- four anti-poaching teams with a total of 15 members in the Amur leopard range
- a special task force of local police and anti-poaching teams led by the Khasan prosecutor
- a 5 member fire-fighting team operating exclusively in the Amur leopard range
- monitoring of the Amur leopard population through snow track counts and camera trap counts
- monitoring and analysis of the impact of fires on Amur leopard habitat and the effectiveness of fire-fighting
- habitat assessment with G.I.S technique : assessment of the role of habitat quality, land ownership, land use, protection status, settlements, deer farms, roads and human settlements with use of monitoring data and satellite images
- development of land-use plans that take in account future needs of Amur leopards
- support for protected areas in the leopard range
- compensation of livestock kills by leopards and tigers
- a comprehensive education program for school children and students in the leopard range
- support for hunting leases and ungulate recovery program
- support for protected areas in the leopard range
- media campaign to create awareness about the Amur leopard's plight
- support and technical assistance for the new Hunchun reserve in China that borders on the leopard range in Russia
Reintroduction into the wild
Since 1996 the idea of reintroducing leopards in the south of Sikhote Alin has been discussed by ALTA members. During a workshop in 2001 the outlines and principles of a plan for the development of a second population of Amur leopard in the Russian Far East was prepared. For reintroduction to be successful, one fundamental question needs to be answered: Why did leopards disappear from the southern Sikhote-Alin in the middle of the 20th century? It was recommended to assess reasons for localized extinctions, obtain support of local people, increase prey in areas proposed for reintroduction, ensure that conditions exist conducive for reintroduction in the selected area, and ensure survival of the existing population. There are two sources of leopards for reintroduction: leopards born and raised in zoos and leopards raised in a special reintroduction center passed through a rehabilitation program for life in the wild.[8]
If this reintroduction is to succeed, it is clear that the design of the breeding and release centre, and the management of the leopards in it, must focus strongly on overcoming the difficulties imposed by the captive origin of the cats. Three necessary behaviours should be acquired prior to release: hunting and killing of live natural prey; avoidance of humans and avoidance of tigers.[10]
In March 2009 the Minister of Natural Resources of Russia during his meeting with Vladimir Putin reassured that the ministry is planning to introduce new "imported" Amur leopards into the area and creating suitable and safe habitat for them. The government already allocated all required funds for the project.[11]
In captivity
A captive population of Amur leopards was established in 1961 from nine wild-born founders. A
As of December 2011, there are 176 captive Amur leopards in zoos worldwide. Within the EEP 54 male, 40 female and 7 unsexed individuals are kept. In North American and Canadian zoos another 31 males and 41 females are kept within the Population Management Program.[13]
In media
In 2009, the
The Animal Planet documentary, The Last Leopard (2008) is about the plight of Amur leopards in Russia. The television series "Wild Russia" showed a quick glimpse into the life of the Amur leopard. A female Amur leopard and her cub were featured on Planet Earth episodes "From Pole to Pole" and "Seasonal Forests". The female's name is "Skrytnaya", which means 'The secretive one'. The male cub died at the age of around 18 months; he was the result of inbreeding - the cub's sire was also Skrytnaya's sire.
References
- ^ a b c Template:IUCN
- ^ Pocock, R. J. (1930). The panthers and ounces of Asia. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 34: 64–82, 307–336.
- ^ a b c d Geptner, V.G., Sludskii, A. A. (1972). Mlekopitaiuščie Sovetskogo Soiuza. Vysšaia Škola, Moskva. (In Russian; English translation: Heptner, V. G., Sludskii, A. A., Komarov, A., Komorov, N. (1992). Bars (Leopard). Pages 203–273 in: Mammals of the Soviet Union. Volume II, Part 2: Carnivora (Hyaenas and Cats). Smithsonian Institute and the National Science Foundation, Washington DC).
- ^ Schlegel, H. (1857). Felis orientalis. Page 23 in: Handleiding Tot de Beoefening der Dierkunde, Ie Deel. Boekdrukkerij van Nys, Breda.
- ^ a b c d e Hoette, M. (2003). Amur Leopard and Tiger Conservation in a social and economic context. Zoological Society of London, Tigris Foundation, Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA).
- ^ Pikunov, D. G., Aramilev, V. V., Fomenko, V. V., Miquelle, D. V., Abramov, V. K., Korkishko, V. G., Nikolaev, I. G. (2000). Endangered species: The decline of the Amur leopard in the Russian Far East. Russian Conservation News 24: 19−21.
- ^ a b Kostyria, A.V., Skorodelov, A.S., Miquelle, D.G., Aramilev, V.V., McCullough, D. (2003). Results of Camera Trap Survey of Leopard Population in Southwest Primorski Krai, Winter 2002-2003. Report to Wildlife Conservation Society
- ^ a b Wildlife Conservation Society. (2001). Final Report on a Workshop for Conservation of the Far Eastern Leopard in the Wild. Submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the IUCN Cat Specialist Group
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ a b Christie, S. (2009). Breeding Far Eastern Leopards for Reintroduction: The Zoo Programme Perspective. Pages 388–410 in: Hayward, M. W., Somers, M. J. (eds.). Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781444312034.ch18
- ^ Лента.Ру (2009). Минприроды возьмется за восстановление популяции леопардов в России (in Russian; English transation: Ministry of Environment will undertake the restoration of the population of leopards in Russia). Lenta.ru, 18 March 2009.
- ^ Uphyrkina, O., Miquelle, D., Quigley, H., Driscoll, C., O’Brien, S. J. (2002). Conservation Genetics of the Far Eastern Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). Journal of Heredity 93: 303–311.
- International Species Information System (2011). "ISIS Species Holdings: Panthera pardus orientalis, December 2011".
External links
- ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation
- The Tigris Foundation – dedicated to the conservation of the Amur leopard
- Tallinn Zoo live cameras
- Pictures of Amur Leopard cubs at Tallinn Zoo
- ALTA videos
- WWF Russia: Far Eastern (Amur) leopard
- WWF Amur leopard species profile, conservation efforts and how you can help
- ZSL: Amur Leopard Conservation
- AMUR Russia/UK
- WCS Russia: Far Eastern Leopard Ecology
- Wildlife Alliance and Phoenix Fund's direct protection efforts for Amur leopards and Amur tigers in the Russian Far East
- BBC: The Secret Leopards
- BBC: Nature's Miracle Babies Episode 2.
- ARKive
- WWF-US – Amur Leopard Article