Looks like Amur to me. Either that or a very shaggy North Chinese, but I would say Amur. The female looks more Amur than the male, perhaps hybrid stock?
@amur leopard, I agree that by the look of it these may be. I JUST do hope @Deer Forest might have a better idea.
At this point, I am not going to speculate. A good portion of this zoo has wild animals acquired from southern Africa. Not saying counting the leopards as elsewhere they mention black leopard (as if that is a species ...), I just cannot phantom the status of captive leopards and their origins either local (North China / Amur) or other leopard subspecies.
I can guarantee that the female at least is either Amur (very likely) or North Chinese (don't think so but possibly?) - certainly not anything else. The male is less clear - looks North Chinese to me really.
@amur leopard, I am not doubting your expertise. I can myself fairly easily distinguish between the two as well.
I just appreciate the originator @Deer Forest as a local Zoochat poster has more intimate knowledge of the comings and goings for the Weihai Shendiaoshan Wildlife Park and whether zoos in P.R. of China these days exhibit pure bred Amur leopard or North Chinese leopard.
I know in the past that Beijing Zoo, the national zoo, did exhibit pure-bred Amur leopard that never reproduced to the best of my knowledge.
@Deer Forest, we appreciate your insights and comments.
