The Plight of the Amur Leopard

The Leopard is one of the 5 genus of “Big Cats” still surviving. Arguably they are the most successful genus as they can be found throughout Africa and Asia.

There are a total of 8 distinct sub-species of Leopard, with each adapted to the particular challenges they face in their chosen habitat and prey species. The sub-species are: African Leopard, Indian Leopard, Javan Leopard, Arabian Leopard, Persian Leopard, Indochinese leopard, Sri Lankan Leopard and the Amur Leopard.

Today we are focusing on the Amur Leopard and the challenges this sub-species faces. The international Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) as critically endangered. The highest level of conservation status before Extinct in the Wild. This means that the Amur Leopard is truly on the brink of extinction.

Latest estimates are that there are around 80 animals still alive in the wild. To put that into context: Amur Leopard are only found in the Russian Far East. They currently inhabit an area of about 7,000km2. This means there is only 1 animal for every 87.5km2 of their home range.

Amur Leopard are solitary animals. The only time they come together in the wild is the mate and breed. Mothers care for their young for up to 2 years before the young disperse.

The Amur Leopard is far from large, despite being classed as one of the “Big Cats”.

Males top the scales at around 48kg and females at 42kg.

Despite this they are prolific hunters and will successfully hunt wild deer (Roe, Sika, Musk), Elk and even wild boar. They are also known to prey on young Asian Black Bear.

So why has this highly adaptive predator ended up in such dire circumstances, teetering on the brink of extinction?

Unfortunately, as is often the case, the answer is conflict with humans. Poaching, habitat loss and habitat degradation through deforestation are the main threats. Regrettably now that there are so few reproductive females left in the wild genetic diversity and inbreeding depression is an ever-increasing threat.

In a situation like this Zoo’s play a vital role by creating a safety net for the population.

Around the world the population of Amur Leopard held in Zoo’s is more than 4 times that of the wild population. We have a moral and ethical duty to manage these captive held animals in a way that we are able to provide viable, genetically suitable offspring for reintroduction back in to the wild, should this prove to be viable.

In 2023, after decades of discussion and planning, 3 Amur Leopards we translocated from the Land of the Leopard Natural Park, in the Primorsky Krai area of the Russian Far East, to the Ussuri Nature Reserve. Despite being the ideal habitat for Amur Leopard the species was last recorded in this area some 50 years ago.

In the future it is hoped that similar areas can be identified as release sites for Captive Born Amur Leopard which will hopefully see the species edging back from the brink of extinction, as has been the case with more and more species around the world.

Dartmoor Zoo is proud to be able to play its part in the recovery of this Critically Endangered Species by recently receiving a female Amur Leopard, Lena) that will be paired with resident male Freddo. The resultant offspring will go on to play a major part in the survival of what is currently the World’s rarest cat species.