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Amur Leopard
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Status: Critically Endangered
Distribution: S.W.region of Primorski Krai province in Russia, E. Manchukua in N.E. China
Sexually mature: 3 - 4 Years
Approx. gestation: 112 days
Approx. nbr. of young: 2
Life span: 20
The leopard is a solitary animal which hunts mainly at night and hides during the day. The Amur leopards, also known as the Far Eastern leopards, are the northern most subspecies of leopard and are well adapted to snowy winters. They inhabit an area to the west of Vladivostok. The Amur leopards prefer mixed forest where there are sufficient numbers of deer, hares, badgers and raccoon dogs that form the bulk of their prey. They often make their dens in caves and bury their prey under fallen leaves. The cubs are born in a den and suckle for three months.
Deforestation, the bushmeat trade, the use of animal parts for traditional medicine and conflict with humans has had a devastating effect on the leopard population. There has also been a drastic reduction in the number of prey species, and further disruption due to mineral extraction and extensive road building. The Amur leopard has been a protected species in Russia since 1956, but there is still a problem with poaching.
In situ (in the wild) conservation efforts include anti-poaching patrols, customs control, fighting forest fires, environmental education programmes and the tightening of regulations on hunting methods used for other species (eg. hunting with dogs and steel traps has been discontinued in some areas). A census carried out in February 2000 found 22 – 27 individual Amur leopards left in the wild.
Pictured at Marwell Zoological Park in Hampshire as the sun sank low in the sky. I liked the light coming from the side so decided not to adjust the picture. |
coasties has marked this note useful
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Great image Michael. The light on the side of the head while the body is in shadow gives the image a nice feeling. He/she is a wonderful looking animal. Good note too. TFS
It's really a great animal. And a great picture too. Nice work.
- japie
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(5187) - [2005-01-05 16:20]
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I really like the lighting on the face and it adds to the impact of the shot. The composition is excellent.
Very well done and thanks for posting.
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 146 W: 4 N: 745]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}