Saving the Critically Endangered Amur Leopard
Captive Breeding may Aid Big Cat Subspecies Found Only in Russia
Mar 27, 2009
With less than 40 Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) left in the wild, zoo populations of this endangered feline may be potential candidates for eventual reintroduction to their native habitat. Monitoring of those few Amur leopards still in the wild, while improving and increasing available habitat is an equally important part of the conservation effort underway to prevent the species from extinction.
Threats to Amur Leopards and the Wildlife of Southwest Primorye in Russia
Poaching remains a key impediment to Amur leopard recovery. In the Southwest Primorye region of Russia, where the big cats are found, poaching activities affect not only the leopards themselves but also many of the prey species the leopards depend on to survive.
Extremely harsh winters may result in the Amur leopards preying on domestic livestock. This results in conflict with local people and persecution of the leopards. Ongoing education and outreach programs educate children and adults in Russia and in China are helping to change the way local people view the Amur Leopard.
In addition to the Amur leopard, nearly one hundred other species listed as endangered in Russia’s ‘Red Book’ share the Southwest Primorye region. Thus conservation efforts to improve habitat for the Amur leopard benefit many of those species as well.
The Amur Leopard in Captivity
With approximately 300 Amur leopards in facilities throughout countries of the former Soviet Union, North American and Europe the greatest hope for survival of this distinct subspecies lies in conservation breeding programs.
The very small numbers of Amur leopards in the wild means there is a high risk of inbreeding, which can create genetic problems. This situation has been a factor in the recovery of the Florida panther in the United States where low genetic diversity resulted in reduced reproductive rates.It may be that this is already a problem for the species or it may be that there are so few Amur leopards left in the wild that they don’t encounter potential mates.
Amur Leopard Reintroduction Plan Being Prepared by ALTA
Reintroduction of big cats to the wild presents many potential problems. There is always a concern about disease being brought in to the wild felines, especially in cases like the Amur leopard where the big cats intended for reintroduction come from zoo populations. These leopards have been exposed to many different bacteria or viruses that may be harmful to the wild population.
Another unknown is how well the animals coming from captivity will cope in the wild. As a predator species hunting skills and the ability to find prey will be necessary. In addition, there is so little known about the behavior of Amur leopards in the wild that it is difficult to ensure the captive bred animals are prepared for the new life.
Further study of the wild population of this critically endangered leopard subspecies will be an important part of a successful reintroduction program. The relationship between Amur leopards and Amur tigers also needs to be better understood for the reintroduction to work well.
These issues and more are being addressed in the reintroduction proposal that the Amur Tiger and Leopard Alliance is preparing. If approved, the Amur leopard will be given a fighting chance at survival in the wild. Without it the population is unlikely to recover to viable levels.
Extinction is a very real danger faced by wild felines all over the world.
Photos for this article compliments of ALTA
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