Black Leopard Sub-species

[foz]

I was just wondeirng if there are any black leoaprds in the zoo community that belong to a specific pure subspecies rather than hybrids (which most black leopards seem to be). I know they are specific subspecies in the wild but I dont know of any in captivity aprt form the supposed pure black amur at thrigby (though I think it was mentioned in other threads they it may be slightly north chinese leopard)

 

[Arizona Docent]

Years ago Phoenix Zoo had a pureblooded indochinese black (Panthera Pardus Delacouri) that was a confiscated or donated private import. Bronx Zoo also had some that were confiscations, possibly also indochinese (or maybe malayan). Don't know of any now.

Since malayan subspecies was recently proven to be 100% black (no yellow individuals at all), it seems to me that would be a good candidate for starting a breeding program, given the popularity of black leopards.

Here in U.S., the AZA has asked its members to focus on amur leopard, so I think black leopards are being phased out of accredited zoos. Interestingly, though, the Denver Zoo's plan for their new Asia exhibit (which is just starting construction) specifically states black leopard in the plans, not just leopard.

 

[Arizona Docent]

Before someone else with eagle eyes corrects me, I realize now I should not have capitalized the species and subspecies name, only the genus name. Oops!

 

[Bele]

At least one black Amur leopard has been born in the UK in fairly recent times .

 

[foz]

Since malayan subspecies was recently proven to be 100% black (no yellow individuals at all), it seems to me that would be a good candidate for starting a breeding program, given the popularity of black leopards.

I didn't think that malayan leopards were a different subspecies to indochinese leopard there only seems to be two places in europe that have indochinese leopards.

 

[tetrapod]

foz - you are correct. Indo-chinese and Malaysian leopards are the same thing Panthera pardus delacouri.

Arizona docent - where have you seen that Malaysian leopards are 100% black? To my knowledge the black gene is very prominent in the population on the Malaysian peninsula (more so then anywhere else in P. pardus range), but that normal coloured animals are also seen regularly. Are you referring to the Taman Negara study?

 

[Cat-Man]

there was one at the cotwold wildlife park, bele, which is now at thrigby hall, and i think anothers been born at cotswold

 

[Arizona Docent]

Arizona docent - where have you seen that Malaysian leopards are 100% black? Are you referring to the Taman Negara study?

I think so. It was in a WWF press release, where they did a camera trap study yielding only black leopards and confirmed the absence of yellow leopards by interviewing local natives.