It is also in completely the wrong place as it is a NORTHERN CHINESE LEOPARD in the middle of an AFRICAN KOPJE. Wasn't this species supposed to be on the new Panda Trek?
Has San Diego completely stopped caring about their exhibit themes?! What the frak?
It is also in completely the wrong place as it is a NORTHERN CHINESE LEOPARD in the middle of an AFRICAN KOPJE. Wasn't this species supposed to be on the new Panda Trek?
Has San Diego completely stopped caring about their exhibit themes?! What the frak?
This would be an ideal caracal exhibit. Maybe the n china leopard, which is quite elderly, is just temporarily placed there. On the other hand, that begs the question why not leave it in its old enclosure for its remaining few years (or months).
The AZA Felid TAG has recommended phasing out ALL leopard subspecies and generic animals with the exception of Amur leopards. Displaying African leopards is quickly becoming not a viable option. I would imagine that when this North Chinese leopard passes he will inevitably be replaced by Amur leopards, which will have to stand in to tell the biological history of their less endangered cousins on the African continent, not just here, but in any AZA zoo with a leopard exhibit presented in an "African" context. Not ideal, but for the good of the Amur leopard, it's how it needs to be.
The AZA Felid TAG has recommended phasing out ALL leopard subspecies and generic animals with the exception of Amur leopards. Displaying African leopards is quickly becoming not a viable option. I would imagine that when this North Chinese leopard passes he will inevitably be replaced by Amur leopards, which will have to stand in to tell the biological history of their less endangered cousins on the African continent, not just here, but in any AZA zoo with a leopard exhibit presented in an "African" context. Not ideal, but for the good of the Amur leopard, it's how it needs to be.
This makes no sense to me as there are other leopard subspecies that are also in need of captive breeding. Prime examples are Sri Lankan, Javan, Arabian, Persian and the afore mentioned North China leopard, why concentrate on 1 subspecies that is doing quite well in captivity anyway?
As I reported on another thread a couple months ago, the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound is holding three young amur leopards which they say are slated for San Diego Zoo. However, since this exhibit is inadequate for one leopard IMO, I do not know how it could fit three. (However, they are planning to redo Cat Canyon for their centenniel in 2016, so maybe a new leopard exhibit will be in the works? I hope, I hope.)
Speaking of subspecies, the aforementioned Exotic Feline Breeding Compound holds breeding groups of both amur and north china leopards and they recently formed (via importation) a pair of persian leopards they hope will breed. They are also frustrated with the seemingly nonsensical decision of the AZA to phase out other highly endangered leopards.
Speaking of subspecies, the aforementioned Exotic Feline Breeding Compound holds breeding groups of both amur and north china leopards and they recently formed (via importation) a pair of persian leopards they hope will breed. They are also frustrated with the seemingly nonsensical decision of the AZA to phase out other highly endangered leopards.
We're quite lucky in the UK as we hold 4 subspecies along with a couple of generics knocking around, Amur are definitely the most common subspecies though! Mainland Europe houses even more subspecies including Javan at the 2 Berlins, quite high on my must-see-soon list!
