Black Leopard

Five Interesting Facts Strong jaws and teeth to kill and carry a prey 2x their weight for miles and up a tree More common in Asia Most widespread of all the big cats From the “roaring cat family” # of species uncertain – 27 species with only 8 sub-species – 7-30 subspecies

Critically endangered leopards Amur Leopard (critically endangered) Amur Leopard Anatolian Leopard (critically endangered or possibly extinct) Barbary Leopard (critically endangered) Barbary Leopard Java Leopard*, Panthera pardus meas (endangered) North China Leopard*, Panthera pardus japonensis (endangered) South Arabian Leopard, Panthera pardus nimr (critically endangered) Sri Lanka Leopard*, Panthera pardus kotiya (endangered) Zanzibar Leopard, Panthera pardus adersi (extinct)

Habitat Thick forest Plains Savannah Human-populated areas

Habitat Spread out over most of Central and South Africa Greater parts of Southeast Asia The Middle East The Far East The island of Java

What the Black Leopard Eats Small to medium-sized animals Able to change what they eat depending on what is available Birds, reptiles, hyraxes, baboons, monkeys and domestic dogs

What predators try to eat it? No other animal hunts the black leopard; however, human beings often kill them because: – They want to protect their livestock (cows, sheep, pigs). – They are afraid of them being “maneaters” – They are poachers selling their skins.

How does the black leopard reproduce? Males and females avoid each other except in mating season Females give birth to 2-3 cubs at a time. Mother leopards hide their cubs for about 8 weeks. They give them milk for about 3 months.

What is the estimated population today? Less than 250 mature individuals by some estimates No one knows for sure how many.

Why is it endangered? Environmental changes—shrinking habitats – Loss of natural habitat – Poor condition of habitat Human beings are the biggest threat to the survival of black panthers. – Farmers kill them to protect their animals. – Hunters kill them for sport. – Poachers kill them for their beautiful skins.

What human activities have made this animal endangered? Taking over their habitat Destroying forest Hunting, killing and poaching

What positive actions have been taken to help? Get different people and organizations to cooperate in protecting them Stop poaching and illegal trade of the leopard and its prey Have protected areas Educate people about wildlife and hunting Captive breeding programs Get people to know about leopards!

What other steps can be taken? Conservation should be a school subject— black leopards could be used as an example. Scientists could develop fake fur that looks like a black leopard’s skin.

References / sb.mpg.de:8080/topx/archive?link=Wikipedia- Lip6-2/44303.xml&style ces/russia/projects/?uProjectID=RU0110