Leopard (African ssp.) / Panthera pardus

Very nice.

are you sure it's african? I remember that they had one Arbian from the wild....but it might died before....

drzoomi said:

are you sure it's african? I remember that they had one Arbian from the wild....but it might died before....

Click to expand...

I think that is correct, was an En Gedi animal I believe. I seem to remember that somehow nowadays they have Persian leopard as a surrogate species.

Are you absolutely sure that this is a persian leopard?

While I know, at persian leopards is basic coloring pale, creamy and yellow-gray.
Rosettes regular and large, their coloring is mostly black; rather dark brown to black-brown. Fur is quite long and thick.

Rather, it reminds me of North African, Egyptian leopard.
Because, it is also a fairly large form with very variable coloring and drawing.
The most frequently occurring yellow ocher-colored specimens with medium rosettes.

At least according to the individual in this photo, so I conclude.
So much that my humble opinion.

For sure, if you do not believe me, look in the publications;
Handbook of the Mammals of the World - Volume 1.
Family Felidae (Cats) | Lynx Edicions
Top left: subspecies P.p.pardus / Bottom right: subspecies P.p.saxicolor
Not suahelica - this taxon is totally down. On this plate; of course!

And subspecies P.p.nimr is the right center. On this plate.

Currently, Yotveta keeps two old leopards (one of them is on this picture) which were born in Ramat Gan and they belong to African subspecies.

Can confirm this is (was) an African leopard.