Persian leopard | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | P. p. ciscaucasica
|
Trinomial name | |
Panthera pardus ciscaucasica (Satunin, 1914)
|
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica), also called the Caucasian leopard is the leopard subspecies native to the Caucasus, Turkmenistan and Northern Iran. It is endangered throughout its range in the Middle East with fewer than 871-1,290 mature individuals.[1]
Description
The Persian leopard is one of the largest of all the subspecies of leopards in the world. It can stand up to 2.5 feet (75 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weigh as much as 155 lbs (70 kg).
Distribution and habitat
The Russian explorer Satunin first described the Caucasian leopard P.p. ciscaucasica in 1914 from a specimen in the Kuban region of North Caucasus.[2] In the 1920s, the British zoologist Pocock collected specimens from different areas of Persia and described them as Persian leopard P.p. saxicolor in 1927, though recognizing the similarity to P.p. ciscaucasica.[3] Today, these names are considered synonyms.[4]
As of 2008, of the estimated 871-1,290 mature individuals
- about 200–300 survive in Afghanistan, where their status is poorly known;
- less than 10–13 survive in Armenia;
- less than 10–13 survive in Azerbaijan;
- less than 5 survive in Georgia;
- about 550–850 live in Iran, which is the leopard stronghold in the Middle East;
- about 3–4 survive in Nagorno-Karabakh;
- less than 10 survive in the Russian North Caucasus;
- less than 5 survive in Turkey;
- about 78–90 live in Turkmenistan.[1]
In Armenia
The few remaining leopards live in the juniper sparse forests and, to a lesser extent, in arid and mountain grasslands, subalpine and alpine meadows. Their haunts are extremely rough and rocky places with plenty of cliffs. This predator uses the same trails during regular movements, so knowing where they are, the researcher can find the evidence of leopard existence such as scats, tracks and scrapes. The leopard in Armenia is threatened by disturbance, poaching, and wild fire, but which of these factors are most stressful for this cat is still unclear. The leopard can also be found in the Shikahogh State Preserve.
In Armenia, people and leopards co-exist since the early Holocene and by mid-20th century these big cats were relatively common in the country's mountains. In 1950-1970s, the local leopard population was rising and spreading northwards as shown by increase in the rates of the centrally planned skin purveyance and more skins coming from northern Armenia.[5]
In Azerbaijan
Leopards live in the southern regions of the country, primarily in the Talysh Mountains, Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakhichevan. Despite occasional sightings, it was not clear whether leopards had been extinct in Azerbaijan by the late 1990s until a species was caught on camera in March, 2007 in the Hirkan State Reserve/Hirkan National Park.[citation needed]
In Georgia
Over the last 60 years, there have been several sightings of leopards around the Tbilisi area and in the Shida Kartli province to the northwest of the capital. Leopards live primarily in dense forests, although several have been spotted in the lowland plains in the southeastern region of Kakheti in 2004.[6]
In Iran
Leopards are mainly found in the Alborz and the Zagros mountain ranges. These ranges cover a vast area starting from the borders with Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, extending to the Caspian litoral region and on to Turkmenistan and western parts of Afghanistan in the Alborz range. Along the Zagros range, leopard habitats extend to the south of Iran, close to the Persian Gulf. The habitat of the Persian Leopard may cover a wide area of Iran, but leopard populations are scattered, fragmented and threatened. Human settlements and activities are the main threats for the species. The Persian Leopard's main prey in Iran is Bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus) and wild sheep (Ovis orientalis). On occasion, leopards may prey on Boar (Sus scrofa), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus maral) and domestic animals such as camels, goats, sheep or dogs. The principle threats to Persian Leopard survival in Iran are population fragmentation and loss of habitat due to human population encroachment, poisoning and poaching. The Persian Leopard is a flag-ship species and its presence is a sign of the health of the entire ecosystem. The Persian Leopard is an apex predator in most of Iran's provinces. The leopard's chances for survival outside the protected areas of the Department of the Environment appear very slim.
Diet
A leopard's diet varies depending on where it lives. The mainstay of their diet are medium-sized ungulates such as deer, goitered gazelles, mouflons, urials, Bezoar ibex and wild boars. In addition, smaller prey items such as mice, hares and porcupines, smaller carnivores such as foxes, jackals and various mustelids, as well as birds and reptiles, are also readily taken.
Threats
This species is listed as endangered and commercial trade of this species is prohibited by international law. The Persian leopard has been threatened due to persecution, habitat loss, and poaching. It is also one of the animals in western Asia which is suffering from warfare in its mountain range.
References
- ^ a b c Khorozyan, I. (2008). "Panthera pardus ssp. saxicolor". International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
- ^ Satunin, K.A. (1914) Key of the Mammals of the Russian Empire. Vol. 1: Chiroptera, Insectivora and Carnivora. Tiflis: Tiflis : Tipografīi︠a︡ Kant︠s︡eli︠a︡rīi nami︠e︡stnika E.I.V. na Kavkazi︠e︡ (in Russian)
- ^ Pocock, R.I. Description of two subspecies of leopards. Annals and magazine of Natural History, Series 9, no. 20: 213–214
- ^ Khorozyan, I. G., Gennady, F., Baryshnikov, G. F., Abramov, A. V. (2006) Taxonomic status of the leopard, Panthera pardus (Carnivora, Felidae) in the Caucasus and adjacent areas. Russian Journal of Theriology 5(1): 41–52. pdf
- ^ Khorozyan, I. (2003) The Persian leopard in Armenia: research and conservation. Proceedings of Regional Scientific Conference “Wildlife Research and Conservation in South Caucasus”, 7–8 October 2003, Yerevan, Armenia: 161-163
- ^ Antelava, N. (2004). Lone leopard spotted in Georgia. BBC News, 25 May 2004. online
Further reading
- Khorozyan, I., Malkhasyan, A., Asmaryan, S. (2005) The Persian Leopard Prowls Its Way to Survival. Endangered Species Update 22 (2): 51-60 pdf
- Kiabi, B. H., Dareshouri, B. F., Ghaemi, R. A., Jahanshahi, M. (2002) Population status of the Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927) in Iran. Zoology in the Middle East 26: 41-47. abstract
- Aghili, A. (2005) Leopard Survey in Caucasus Ecoregion (Northwest) of Iran. Leopard Conservation Society, Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA), Iran Department of Environment, Natural Environment & Biodiversity Office pdf
- Woodroffe, R. 2000. Predators and people 165-173.[full citation needed]
- Zulfiqar, A. 2001. Leopard in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. Cat News 35: 9-10.
- Shakula, V. 2004. First record of leopard in Kazakhstan. Cat News 41: 11-12.
- Gasparyan, K.M. and F.S. Agadjanyan. 1974. The panther in Armenia. Biological Journal of Armenia 27: 84-87.
- Janashvili, A. "Leopard." Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia. Vol. 11, Tbilisi, 1984, pp. 567
- Ministry of Nature Protection, Yerevan, Armenia[full citation needed]
- Center of Ecological studies, Yerevan, Armenia[full citation needed]
External links
- Persian Leopard Conservation Society
- The Persian leopards in Armenia
- Persian leopard fact sheet
- Zoo reveals rare Persian leopard triplets