North America Amur Leopard Population

Respectfully, I do not think you understand fully the nature of Amur Leopards. An Amur Leopard is an apex predator that will not distinguish between one species of owl and another nor be able to be trained by their keepers to hunt as siblings. They are also specific to a regional demographic. Wild populations of Amur Leopards are found Primarily in Russia and in northern China. There is a vast tract of land in Russia that was set aside in 2012 to facilitate the growth of Amur Tigers and Amur Leopards. This program has been highly successful in that the latest census of Amber leopards is at 125, more than three times the amount that was recorded at the start of the program. There are nearly double that in zoos across the world. The objective of the captive breeding program in North America and Europe is to build a population of genetically diverse individuals for eventual release Into the Wild. This is an ambitious program but also a necessary one in that even a population of 125 could be easily wiped out in a single generation. It has been illegal to take Wild Leopards into captivity since 1960. Therefore the animals in North American zoos were all born in captivity and it is the only life they know. Like most people on this discussion thread, I believe wild animals should be allowed to be wild, however, I understand the value and importance of maintaining captive populations especially for animals that are close to extinction. I also applaud the efforts that go on behind the scenes to facilitate the genetic diversity in the existing captive population. Whether it is by perfecting Artificial Insemination methods, giving offspring of captive Leopards a means to grow with minimal exposure to humans (as has been done by the Royal Zoo of Scotland) or pairing of wild animals that are in human care for rehabilitation purposes with captive individuals (as has been done successfully with the Amur Tigers in Russia) there is much opportunity for success.
 
Ann Esther Sprizzo said:
I uploaded an updated version of my "unofficial" North American Population of Amur Leopards Listing based on comments provided in this discussion thread. To provide a little more color I have identified all the individuals accounted for in the latest AZA Breeding and Transfer Recommendations by flagging them as "YES" in the Comment column. Individuals flagged as LTF indicate that they are either no longer in AZA facilities or for some other reason are no longer being tracked in the AZA studbook (unfortunately). Alongside where an individual has been flagged as an exclusion this means they are not eligible for breeding either because they are spayed or have health issues. I have also indicated melanistic individuals of which I am aware. There are a number of transfers in the recommendations so the locations affiliated with these individuals will change in the near term. Shading indicates siblings. Thank you
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Thanks for updating all information. It will be interesting to see how the Amur Leopard Signature SSP may develop from here. I guess after several years of imports to re-invigorate the AZA Amur Leopard ex situ conservation breeding program, it is firmly on track with a very much rejuvenated population.

I sincerely hope we can restart the project to source captive-bred Amur Leopards back into the wild populations in Eastern Siberia in Russia and in the most northern PR of China provinces Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning. It is imperative that the positive growth in the wild population over the last decade is sustained and that new non-represented bloodines are introduced back into the wild Amur Leopard population.


Erica Mccullar said:
Ok so explain how it seems right to hire hunters to hunt Barr owls on a mass level to save spotted owls? I suggested due to the level of trust with Zoo keepers and the fact barr owls are afraid of Horned owls we start with a group of both in the middle help push the bars away from the spotted until they can recoup and spotted owls remain there and integrate the poor captive Amur with similar larger enclosure type areas safe for nature and instead of hunters constantly murdering any thing let Amur roam in siblings sets with whom they have trained with let them have a home not a zoo. If the continue they can't live without humans any way. I do understand the other wildlife also lives but if keeping them for entertaining is more appealing than saving them from extinction why can both be of service to each other. I would like to get more information before I would make any decisions. That's why I suggested it. I just pray it turns into a win win for both !
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I tried to engage you on the subject of invasive species and their detrimental impact on the local environment and resident wildlife. Having said why introducing Amur leopard - only ranging in Eastern Siberia - into North America with all its local predators would be not a basic non-starter idea. It also flies in the face of internationally recognised (re-)introduction policies for wildlife.

I really do not see any valid reasons to continue the discourse over the management of 2 owl species in a thread designed for the Zoochat community to talk about Amur leopard ex situ breeding and developments in the accredited zoo community within North America. Hence, I consider any further discourse on the subject full and void and irrelevant as far as I am concerned. I do hope you can respect my position. Perhaps you could rephrase your questions on owl management in situ in a more general North America thread or category - which are available just look in on the USA part of this forum - and put your questions up there.


Back to Amur Leopard news now.
 
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MeiLover said:
They’ve had their breeding pair at Brookfield for a couple years now. They’ve been together while Lisa was still at Brookfield, but they have yet to have a successful breeding.
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The dam is 5 years old and arrived in 2021, whereas the male is still fairly young at 4 years of age (in 2024)! I would expect the zoo to take up the breeding of this pair with more vigour now the mother to the male has transferred out to Houston. I guess the male should have been weaned off his mother probably only last year+ or so!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
The dam is 5 years old and arrived in 2021, whereas the male is still fairly young at 4 years of age (in 2024)! I would expect the zoo to take up the breeding of this pair with more vigour now the mother to the male has transferred out to Houston. I guess the male should have been weaned off his mother probably only last year+ or so!
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He has been weaned from his mother for a few years.
 
CMZman said:
A volunteer at Cleveland confirmed to me that Edgar has left the zoo. Is there any idea where he ended up?
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Edgar was to go to Toledo Zoological Gardens due to a breeding recommendation matching him with 2year old female Nyura at some point over the next few years. I seriously hope this is an AI recommendation as Edgar, while genetically very valuable, has proven a very aggressive cat and potentially dangerous for the female.
 
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