Critically endangered, the Amur Leopard, also known as the Far East Leopard, the Manchurian Leopard and the Korean Leopard, are possibly the worlds rarest cat with only 100 adults left in the wild. Amur leopards are quite extraordinary, being able to leap more that 5.7m horizontally and up to 3m vertically! These nocturnal leopards are in great danger, and, despite conservation efforts, are on the brink of extinction.
Habitat
Amur Leopards live in the Russian Far East and in northeast China. They live in mature forests.
Description
Amur Leopards have thick coats that can grow up to 7cm long! in comparison to other leopards, they have quite light fur with large rosettes that are spaced far apart. male leopards usually weigh between 32 - 48kg but can weigh up to 75kg. Females are smaller that males at 25 - 43kg. These leopards only live for 10 - 15yrs in the wild but in captivity can live for up to 20yrs.
Diet
Amur Leopard eat a variety of foods including Roe deer, Sika Deer, Badgers and hares. they hunt at night and will hide unfinished pray from other predators like the Amur Tiger.
Threats
Amur leopards have been greatly hunted and poached for their coat and their bones. Their habitat is also being destroyed buy illegal logging, forest fires, road building, farming and industrial development.
How to help
Lots of conservation work is being done to protect these beautiful leopards. There is anti-poaching work going on in the Russian Far East and there is a close watch on borders to ensure no illegal leopard parts are being sent overseas. The population of Amur leopards is closely monitored with camera traps. There is also work being done to increase the numbers of Roe and Sika Deer.
References
World Wildlife Fund - https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amur-leopard
- https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/amur-leopards
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/media?species_id=amur-leopard
Conserve Wild Cats - https://conservewildcats.org/resources/amur-leopard-facts/
Utah's Hogle Zoo - https://www.hoglezoo.org/meet_our_animals/animal_finder/amur_leopard/
World Association of Zoo's and Aquariums - https://www.waza.org/priorities/conservation/conservation-breeding-programmes/global-species-management-plans/amur-leopard/
National Geographic Kids - https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/amur-leopard
Amur Leopards live in the Russian Far East and in northeast China. They live in mature forests.
Description
Amur Leopards have thick coats that can grow up to 7cm long! in comparison to other leopards, they have quite light fur with large rosettes that are spaced far apart. male leopards usually weigh between 32 - 48kg but can weigh up to 75kg. Females are smaller that males at 25 - 43kg. These leopards only live for 10 - 15yrs in the wild but in captivity can live for up to 20yrs.
Diet
Amur Leopard eat a variety of foods including Roe deer, Sika Deer, Badgers and hares. they hunt at night and will hide unfinished pray from other predators like the Amur Tiger.
Threats
Amur leopards have been greatly hunted and poached for their coat and their bones. Their habitat is also being destroyed buy illegal logging, forest fires, road building, farming and industrial development.
How to help
Lots of conservation work is being done to protect these beautiful leopards. There is anti-poaching work going on in the Russian Far East and there is a close watch on borders to ensure no illegal leopard parts are being sent overseas. The population of Amur leopards is closely monitored with camera traps. There is also work being done to increase the numbers of Roe and Sika Deer.
References
World Wildlife Fund - https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amur-leopard
- https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/amur-leopards
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/media?species_id=amur-leopard
Conserve Wild Cats - https://conservewildcats.org/resources/amur-leopard-facts/
Utah's Hogle Zoo - https://www.hoglezoo.org/meet_our_animals/animal_finder/amur_leopard/
World Association of Zoo's and Aquariums - https://www.waza.org/priorities/conservation/conservation-breeding-programmes/global-species-management-plans/amur-leopard/
National Geographic Kids - https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/amur-leopard