Spotted Leopard Makes Unexpected Comeback - Big Cat Population Takes Off in Russian Region
An important event in Land of the Leopard National Park happened right on its 6th anniversary. Over 100 adult and growing leopard specimens have been captured by photo cameras. The population of the planet's rarest big cat grew so much, that this Red Book spotted predator is no longer considered to be an endangered species.
Ksenia Kolchina reports about a successful photoshoot from Primorsky Krai.
Typhoon enjoys relaxing in a very cat-like posture on the river bank. One of the most purebred males in Land of the Leopard, he is often captured by photo traps. The female Lea doesn't waste her time: this predator is preparing to hunt and sniffs to determine if there's prey nearby. Leopards lead a typical life, unaware that they are monitored by 400 cameras.
Gleb Sedash, Land of the Leopard National Park: "Throughout the whole year, we recorded 84 adult leopard specimens, as well as 19 cubs."
Back in 2000, merely 30 Amur leopards were recorded. Every year the danger of extinction diminishes. For example, this predator hasn't been seen by scientists before so a new paw print will be added to the rare cat registry wall in the Land of the Leopard Manor.
Big cats have regular habits: they walk the same paths alone. Knowing this, photo traps are set in such a way, that the camera can capture the animal's profile displaying their unique spot patterns. This is how new specimens are recognized. First, a leopard is given a temporary nickname: Leo plus serial number. Later on, a more creative name. Land of the Leopard amounts to 80,000 hectares in the south of Primorsky Krai.
Of course, not only the spotted cats are captured by photo traps. Right in front of the photo trap, a tigress makes her den and each day she spent with her offspring is now recorded.
Ksenya Kolchina, Andrey Kolesnikov, Aleksandr Saveliev, Anton Gvozdetsky. From the Russian Far East — Vesti.