I am quite envious of your trip to Le Parc Des Felins but from what I've read on here by next year it's going to be even better!
As a cat lover you must be jealous of the species on show on this side of the pond!
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?
Of the species that you have mentioned, the Amur Leopard is the most endangered in the wild with less than 40 individuals left. In order to save the subspecies, there would need to be a large population in captivity in order for their to be hopes of reintroduction. With limited space, having a healthy genetic population for 6 sub-species of leopards probably isn't possible.
I disagree that this exhibit is too small for the individual that is in it right now, but it probably is too small if the Zoo intends to have a breeding pair of leopards in here in the future. I would hope that they put caracals in here (are they a kopje species?) and if they intend to keep leopards, add one into Phase II of Panda Trek or pull the same narrative for Africa Rocks.
I am quite envious of your trip to Le Parc Des Felins but from what I've read on here by next year it's going to be even better!
As a cat lover you must be jealous of the species on show on this side of the pond!
I have been there twice - one day in fall 2009 and two days in fall 2010 - and yes I am envious. If it was in any city in the United States I would almost certainly move to that city in an instant. (If I thought I could get a job in rural France, I might even move there too!)
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.
Ituri, I do see your point, but they have huge signs up saying "Northern Chinese Leopard" in the middle of the Kopje! Why not just tell people it's a leopard and leave it at that, in which case it would fit in perfectly as you note.
I don't remember their ever having leopards here. Hopefully more appropriate Kopje residents will move in at some point.
The caracals are gone. As of March 2012 they now have raccoons. At least they got the continent right with this species, but thematically it is still pretty stupid.
The caracals are gone. As of March 2012 they now have raccoons. At least they got the continent right with this species, but thematically it is still pretty stupid.
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?
It does make sense as it boils down to numbers. NONE of the subspecies you mentioned exist in the US in any number large enough to become a sustainable population. The Amur leopard does, but just barely. The Regional Collection Plan calls for a target number of 100 cats, a very minimal sized gene pool for a sustainable population. The current available space according to an AZA space survey sits at around 70 animals. Other subspecies and generics make up an additional 30 spaces within the AZA. As these animals phase out through attrition, if they were to be replaced with Amur leopards, the Amur leopard population could potentially reach the target number.
Ituri, I do see your point, but they have huge signs up saying "Northern Chinese Leopard" in the middle of the Kopje! Why not just tell people it's a leopard and leave it at that, in which case it would fit in perfectly as you note.
I don't remember their ever having leopards here. Hopefully more appropriate Kopje residents will move in at some point.
It does make sense as it boils down to numbers. NONE of the subspecies you mentioned exist in the US in any number large enough to become a sustainable population. The Amur leopard does, but just barely. The Regional Collection Plan calls for a target number of 100 cats, a very minimal sized gene pool for a sustainable population. The current available space according to an AZA space survey sits at around 70 animals. Other subspecies and generics make up an additional 30 spaces within the AZA. As these animals phase out through attrition, if they were to be replaced with Amur leopards, the Amur leopard population could potentially reach the target number.
Alright, I see the point in that but how many leopards (of pure subspecies) sit in private hands and at breeding centres in the US? Surely there could be enough to keep a small back up population of at least one other subspecies?
