The San Diego Zoo in California recently announced the birth of twin cubs adding to the population of the endangered Amur leopards. The Amurs are the rarest — and most endangered — cats in the world, and the news was a big win for conservationists across the globe.
The twins were born to Satka (mother leopard), and according to the zoo, this is the third set of twins born there. Though this set was born several weeks ago, they only emerged recently from the birthing place.
The staff was elated as they announced this latest addition to the Amur population. “Witnessing the birth of Amur leopards is always an emotional experience,” Gaylene Thomas, wildlife care manager at the zoo, said during the announcement. “There are so few of them left in their native habitat that every birth carries so much weight – and every living individual promises a glimmer of hope.”
Conservation efforts
For now, the adorable cubs have not been named yet. Wildlife specialists are monitoring them and documenting their growth using remote cameras. However, the zoo manager said they would soon have their first vet inspection and learn more about them.
‘We are thrilled with the progress made by the cubs. They have grown so much and have already started showcasing their unique personalities,’ Ms. Thomas said.
The recent birth is another milestone in the zoo’s leopard conservation efforts. The newborns are part of a leopard breeding program with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan.
The endangered Amur leopards
Amur leopards once roamed the wildness of northeastern China, Russia, and Korea in great numbers. Unfortunately, it is estimated that the number has dramatically reduced to fewer than 300 leopards, most of which are in captivity. Only about 100 are in the wild in their former habitat — the Primorye region of the Russian Far East.
The reasons for this alarming rate of decimation include the following:
Habitat degradation
Human encroachment has dramatically reduced the historical range of Amur leopards. These activities include railway and road expansion, coal extraction, gas pipeline plans, and more. Natural forest fires are not common in this part of Russia. Still, human-caused fires degrade the forests, making them inhospitable to Amur leopards.
Poachers and hunters
Though illegal in Russia, poaching has contributed to this sharp decrease in population. It carries a fine of up to 1.1 million rubles and a jail term of two years for killing the endangered big cat.
Besides poachers, some hunters compete with the cats for wildlife, increasing the leopard’s hunting range. Also, there may be retaliation attacks when the leopards kill livestock.
Inbreeding
The small population has probably led to low genetic density. This may lead to inbreeding and reduce the chances of survival to adulthood. A biomedical checkup of three leopards in 2006 showed initial health problems that may have resulted from inbreeding. All of them had significant heart murmurs, and one had compromised fertility.
Facts about Amur leopards
The amurs don’t have a mating season, and their gestation period lasts about 90-95 days. Typically, a female Amur leopard can have about 2-3 cubs. The cubs are blind at birth and weigh just half a kilogram. They are usually so vulnerable that the mother has to hide them for the first 6-8 weeks.
Every leopard has unique spots, which help conservationists to identify them individually. But unfortunately, they are also solitary nocturnal animals, which are elusive and rarely seen.
More interestingly, they wear different coats depending on the season. For example, their hair is only 2.5 cm in summer but grows to 7 cm in winter. And when it gets chilly deep into the winter, they usually wrap their tails around themselves like blankets.
The future of the Amur leopards
The breeding recommendation at the San Diego Zoo hopes to help these cats bounce back. As mentioned, this was the third litter of cubs, and they were fathered by the same male amur leopard called Oskar. With such efforts, they are working towards restoring these endangered big cats.
“This is a monumental achievement, proving that conservation works and our vision to build a world where all life thrives can be realized. We only need to maintain the course, and ultimately, we will succeed,” the zoo staff announced.
