The Amur Leopard- Endangered
Though they are the most critically endangered of all the big cats, not many people have even heard of the Amur Leopard.
There are only an estimated 30-35 of these gorgeous leopards living today in the wild.
They are beautiful animals that deserve to survive.
In this lens, you will learn about the Amur Leopard, share in this glimpse of an animal that will hopefully survive this threat of extinction.
A Portrait of a Leopard (Panthera Pardus)
A Portrait of a Leopard (Panthera Pardus)
Amur Leopard
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What does the Amur Leopard Look Like
Physical characteristics of the Amur Leopard
The Amur Leopard is beautiful, with a pale cream coat, that is even lighter in the winter months, that is covered with rosettes that are far apart. They are think dark rings, black in color with solid circles in the center.
Well judge for yourself, are they not beautiful cats?
Amur leopard in Kedrovaya Pad (Yury Shibnev)
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
The length of the coat varies between one inch (2.5 centimeters) in the warm summer months to three inches (7.5 centimeters) in the cold winter months.
The males on the average weigh in between 70-105 lbs (32-48 kg), exceptionally large males can weight anywhere from 132-165 lbs (60-75 kg).
The females are smaller than the males at 55-94 lbs (25-43 kg).
Amur Leopard "Almost Extinct"- Big Cat TV
AMUR LEOPARD "Almost Extinct"- Big Cat TV
The Amur leopard is in a very tough spot right now, and those that are trying to save this species need your help! At BCR we are trying to make every cats life mean something, so we are using our captive animals as spokespeople for their wild cousins. Please check out http://www.amur-leopard.org. Together we CAN make a difference. Thank you. http://www.bigcatrescue.org
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Where is their habitat
The Amur Leopards Habitat
The Amur leopard's past range extended throughout northeastern ("Manchurian") China, the southern part of Primorsky Krai in Russia and the Korean Peninsula.
During the 20th century, their range shrank dramatically. It is believed this is due to loss of their habitat, which is the temperate forests and to hunting.
Today, the Amur Leopard is critically endangered with only 27 to 35 cats remaining in Southwest Primorye.
Amur leopard crossing tree in nature reserve Kedrovaya Pad (Yury Shibnev)
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
There are probably up to 10 animals scattered throughout the Chinese Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces, with the majority of animals concentrated near the Russian border.
The Amur leopard probably went extinct in the wild in South Korea in the late 1960s, although some recent, unconfirmed reports suggest that a few leopards may remain in and around the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
Amur Leopard Conservation
ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation
Conservation of the Amur leopard -probably the rarest big cat on earth- by the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA). View 10 minute video at www.amur-leopard.org
Leopard with Infant at Masai-Mara, Kenya
Leopard with Infant at Masai-Mara, Kenya
What do they eat
The primary diet of an Amur Leopard
The Amur Leopards are carnivores and therefore their diet consists mainly of meat.
In the wild they feed on Roe deer, wild boar, sika deer, musk deer, badgers and hares
Juvenile Amur leopard enjoyed a meal in nature reserve Kedrovaya Pad (Yury Shibnev)
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
In the zoos they are fed a carnivore diet consisting of meat, bones, vitamins, and enrichment treats.
Beautiful Leopard Artwork
Beautiful Leopard Artwork
The Leopards Lair Sculptural Wall Frieze
Like looking out a window onto a scene from an arid afternoon on the Serengeti, this three-dimensional, quality designer resin, high-relief wall frieze is amazingly lifelike! Boasting naturalistic, finely hand-painted hues and varied textures, from smooth fur to rough bark, the artist has taken great care with the leopard's credible pose and realistic eyes to create a fitting addition to your gallery collection.
The Leopards Lair Sculptural Wall Frieze![]()
Two Leopards Playing in the Exeter Change Menagerie: Classic Art Reproduction (Medium)
Trained both as a painter and a veterinarian, it is no wonder that anatomical accuracy and grace of line distinguish the work of Swiss-born Agasse. Realistically painted in the earthy hues of their natural habitat, two leopards play. Our authentic stretched canvas replica captures the original paintingââ%u201A¬â%u201E¢s texture, depth of color, and even its subtle brushstrokes, which are applied by hand. It is surrounded by our imported, tiered, black and gold-toned hardwood frame.
Two Leopards Playing in the Exeter Change Menagerie: Classic Art Reproduction (Medium)![]()
Wild Exotic II: Classic Art Reproduction
With colors so fiery they threaten to ignite, this bold image is as exotic as the animal it portrays. Contemporary painter Douglas uses a balanced palette of dark and light to move the viewer to an excited intimacy with his work. Our authentic stretched canvas replica captures the original painting's texture, depth of color, and even its bold brushstrokes, which are applied by hand. Our imported, black hardwood frame with gold-toned edging includes a solid brass museum plate etched with the title and artist's name.
Wild Exotic II: Classic Art Reproduction![]()
Amur Leopard and Goats
Amur Leopard and Goats
An Amur Leopard named Sasha eyeing up some goats but can't quite reach them.
Lifespan and Reproduction of the Amur Leopard
The average lifespan of a Amur Leopard in the wild is ten to fifteen years, in captivity up to 23 years.
The cats reach their sexual maturity at three years of age.
Amur leopard cub at Olomouc Zoo, Czech Republic (picture by M. Korinek)
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
The breeding season in in the late winter months, usually around January or February. The gestation period for the mother is 90-105 days. So their cubs are usually born April through June.
They have two to four cubs in their litters with an average of two.
The Amur Leopard cubs open their eyes after ten days and are weaned within three months. The stay with their mother until they are around eighteen months to two years in age.
Amur Leopard at Korkeasaari
Filmed on Friday 21.9 Cats night at zoo
Amur Leopard at Korkeasaari
Amur Leopard at Korkeasaari Finland. Filmed on Friday 21.9 Cats night at zoo
What do they do?
The behaviors of the Amur Leopard
The Amur Leopards once fully grown are solitary creatures.
They, much like any big cat, well like any cat period, they mark their territory with urine.
They hunt their prey swiftly, usually able to take it down with a few strides and a leap. They eat by themselves and will hide larger kills and return to finish them later.
Amur leopard at London Zoo, by Jonathan Buckmaster
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
The Amur leopard is a great climber, they spend a lot of their time in the trees. So the temperate forest is very important to them.
They are also strong swimmers, and do not hesitate to enter the water.
They can leap twenty feet across and ten feet high.
Their territories are large, thirty square miles they will travel to find food over a period of time.
Leopard looks after an baby baboon
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What threatens the Amur Leopards existence?
Threats the Amur Leopard faces.
The Amur Leopard faces all of the following threats:
- Poaching of Amur leopards and their prey species, the deer they need to survive. The leopards are hunted for their fur, the deer for the meat.
Since 2002 nine skins or carcasses of the leopard were found in Russia, and two in China.
With the numbers of the animals only being thirty to thirty five animals, how long before these poachers wipe out their existance in the wild totally? - Loss of forest habitat due to forest fires.
The local villagers start fires for many reason, the main reason it is said is to encourage the growth of ferns that are a very popular ingredient in Russian and Chinese dishes. - Negative impacts of inbreeding.
Loss of genetic diversity in the small and isolated Amur leopard population may cause inbreeding depression (reduced numbers due to reduced reproduction and lifespan and increased vulnerability to diseases). - Development projects.
Like so many endangered animals, the growth of the population on man, and the expansion of their industries so often intrude or destroy the habitat of the animals. - Lack of political commitment to conservation.
The Amur Leopard, does not have the political support that it so desperately needs to be protected.
What kind of conservation efforts are in place today?
Conservation efforts to save the Amur Leopard.
Significant progress in conserving Amur leopards and tigers has been made over the last ten years.
A coalition of 13 international and Russian NGOs have pooled resources by creating ALTA(the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance).
ALTA is an informal coalition of funding and implementing agencies working together for the conservation of Amur tigers and leopards. ALTA members have been working together for many years in developing, financing and implementing conservation projects in Russia and China.
The key implementing agencies in ALTA are WCS Russia and the Vladivostok-based Phoenix Fund,
with other partners involved in Russia to a lesser degree;
The Moscow Zoo,
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL),
International Fund Animal Welfare (IFAW),
Tigris Foundation,
Wildlife Vets International,
Those providing relevant funding;
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL),
AMUR,
21st Century Tiger,
Tigris Foundation,
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation,
Wildlife Alliance,
The Helsinki zoo,
and the Minnesota zoos.
ALTA's conservation approach is based on good science, thorough threat analysis and long-term commitment. Our projects are carefully monitored and evaluated. ALTA members co-operate closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Russian NGOs and authorities and local institutes of the Russian Academy of Science.
zoo cub, courtesy Nancy Vandermey, EFBC-FCC, USA
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
The European/Russian zoo breeding programme (EEP - European Endangered species Programme) for Amur leopards is coordinated jointly by ALTA partners ZSL and Moscow Zoo, and the North American programme (PMP - Population Management Programme) by ALTA partner Minnesota Zoo
How you can help?
So you would like to help save the Amur Leopard, but not sure how?
You can help the cause of the Amur Leopard in many different ways.
1. Donate money or time to the cause. You can visit any of the links provided above and they will tell you how you can donate money or time to help in the efforts to save the Amur Leopard.
2. Spread the word. Let's not let these animals dwindle away to extinction in the wild, just because no one really hears much about them. Help bring attention to their plight by spreading the word about them.
3. Help save the forest vital to their habitat. You can do this by supporting the people that are working to save their habitat in any way you can.
4. Support lobbying for improved conservation policies and regulations.
5. If you purchase an Amur Leopard Conservation T Shirts for only $15.00 you not only support the cause (All proceeds from sales of these shirts go directly to conservation of the few remaining Amur leopards and their habitat in the wild.) But you also help spread the word!
Don't let their Footprints fade away!
References used

Rotterdam Zoo
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
- Galleries - Amur Leopard Conservation
- HomeIn the wildZoos and conservationProjectsSupportersGalleries In This SectionAnti-poachingFire-fightingCompensation of livestock killsEducationProtected area and hunting lease support Ecological and biomedical researchPopulation monitoring (Snow-track counts and camera trapping) LobbyConserv
- Amur leopard - Panthera pardus orientalis: Species Information - ARKive
- ARKive - Thousands of unique videos and images of species from across the globe.Information about Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) in the Globally Endangered Chapter
- Amur leopard
- Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) One of the most endangered big cats in the world, they are on the IUCN Critically Endangered Red list. They lost 80% of their range in the wild just between 1970-1983. Also called the Manchurian or Korean leopard, they occupy a remote area of the China-Rus
- IUCN 2008 Red List - Home Page
- Red List Overview
Contact
Publications & Links
Summary Statistics
Initiatives Amphibians
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Archives
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Partners Partners & Credits
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Tech - The IUCN/SSC Cat SG Web Portal
- The official web portal of the iucn/ssc cat specialist group. Providing information about
cat conservation, action plans, members and friends, cat news, the digital cat library and info services. - AMURLEOPARD.ORG
- AMURLEOPARD.ORG
- Oregon Zoo Animals: Amur Leopard
- All about the Amur Leopard.
- Home - Amur Leopard Conservation
- HomeIn the wildZoos and conservationProjectsSupportersGalleries
DonateClick on the donate button below to make an?instant?donation using PayPal.? Its fast, free and secure, and you don't need to have a Paypal account!Useful DocumentsALTA LeafletPhoenix Fund report 2007ALTA - EFBC's Feline Conservation Center Wild Cat Items : CafePress.com
- EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is a non profit wildlife museum and breeding facility for endangered wild felines located in Rosamond, California. Home to 16 species of wild cats; leopards, tigers, jaguars, cougars, manuls, fishing cats, margays, ocelot, lynx, leopard cat. Our cafepress shop featu
You can donate to Big Cat Rescue here
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Thank you for stopping by.

Leopard face
(Photo used with permission from ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation)
Thank you for stopping by and learning about the beautiful Amur Leopard.
Please leave your mark here,
Thanks for your support,
Linda
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tagfoot rocks my socksroamingrosie wrote...
What beautiful cats! I especially love the baby photos from the zoos around the world - sooo cute!
ArtByLinda wrote...
in reply to jamie = ]
jay and emy, It makes me so happy that you both love this site! (((hugs)))
ArtByLinda wrote...
jamie, you are so very welcome, thank you for making it all worthwhile! :-) [in reply to jamie =]]
ArtByLinda wrote...
You are so very welcome, thanks for taking the time to leave a note! [in reply to Aryam]
ArtByLinda wrote...
in reply to kahla
Collectively, ALTA members have developed a comprehensive conservation programme for the Amur leopard's range in Russia and NE China that includes:
Anti-poaching
Fire-fighting
Compensation for livestock killed by tigers and leopards
A comprehensive education and public awareness programme
Population monitoring, (Snow-track counts and camera trapping)
Ecological and biomedical research
Support for protected areas and hunting leases
Lobbying for improved conservation policies and regulations
Amur leopard conservation in China
The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) is also a major contributor. WWF's main activities are;
1. Protected area network development
2. Fire-control and sustainable forest management
3. Education and awareness
4. Anti-poaching
5. Ungulate Recovery Program.
6. Population monitoring
I hope this helps. :-) Linda
kahla wrote
wow this is a great website and really helped me with my research.
I was wondering if anyone knows if what organisations are doing for the amur leopard is working?
Like how effective are these strategies ...
Also, how to know if what is being done is making a difference,
This would really help me with my study if anyone knows the answers :)
sittonbull wrote...
Of the cats that I've actually seen in the bush... the leopard is my favorite! You've done a beautiful job here... both bringing needed attention to an endangered species and illustrating and educating all about the species itself. Jan 08 I went on a safari just outside of Krueger National Park in S.Africa where we saw everything you could see in a zoo... in it's natural habitat! We spent a great deal of time watching the numerous leopards in Simbambili Preserve and taking pictures from an open land rover. Although we were cautioned not to extend our limbs outside of the rover, we were almost close enough to touch them. You have helped convince me to do a lens on that trip with your outstanding lens here... and helped show me how to make it with your instructional lenses! You Rock...Thank You! Stars (oh yes 5), and favored.
JaguarJulie wrote...
The Amur leopard is a beautiful animal. You've included some wonderful pictures. I didn't realize that any species of leopard was endangered!
JasonE wrote...
These are beautiful animals. It is a shame that the activities of humans have endangered them.
JasonE wrote...
These are beautiful animals. It is a shame that the activities of humans have endangered them.
The_Homeopath wrote...
Such sweet faces! I pray that they will be around for my grandchildren.
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