Friday, April 13, 2012

New Measures of Protection for the Amur Leopard


Amur leopards are the most endangered species of feline that there is. Less than 35 individuals exist in the wild as their habitat diminishes and they are constantly poached for their fur. There are a number of conservation efforts being made to help revive the species and a few days ago, the Amur leopards were given another measure of protection.

On April 9, Russia declared a 1011 square mile are to be "Land of the Leopard" National Park. This huge area will be a protected region, allowing the native big cats, including both the Amur (or Siberian) leopard and the Siberian tiger, to live without fear of habitat loss. The park was created through the combination of three existing protected areas known as Kedrovya Pad Reserve, Barsovy Federal Wildlife Refuge, and Borisovkoe Plateau Regional Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, some previously unprotected lands were added to the new National Park. Click here to read the article and find out more about the new "Land of the Leopard" National Park.


We hope that Mia, the Amur leopard living at IEAS, can be an ambassador for her wild cousins, impressing upon visitors the importance of protecting her species!


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