Conservation Biology

Adrienne Boland
April 19, 2017

Amur Leopard
Conservation Plan
___

By Anastasia Hendren

ABSTRACT
The Amur Leopard is faced with many obstacles for survival. This critically
endangered species is endemic to southeastern Russia and northeastern China.
Main threats to the survival of this amazing species is poaching of not only them,
but also of their main prey species. This, along with habitat loss, is making the
success of these key predators quite tricky. Yet, with proper conservation efforts,
such as stricter penalties for poachers, reintroduction of prey, and viable work with
locals, we can save the Amur Leopard.
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Introduction
Panthera pardus orientalis, also known as the Amur Leopard, was once one of the
the greatest predators on the eastern slope of the Asian continent. Today this
leopard subspecies is holding on to life by a claw, with being named as the Worlds
rarest cat. They found themselves on the International Union for Conservation of
Nature Red List in 1996, being critically endangered with approximately less than 30
individuals left in the wild (Gertz). Over the past couple decades, their populations
have seen progressive growth with the help of new conservation efforts. Although,
we cannot let up on our conservation efforts for this magnificent cat yet, being that
there are still many factors going against their survival.

Species Description
The Amur Leopard is one of 9 subspecies of leopard. Particularly, they are the only
subspecies to thrive in both hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Distinct
adaptations to the Amur Leopard compared to its cousins are:

Growth of thick fur for winter

Fur lightens to a cream color for winter
camouflage
Spots are larger and spaced farther apart
than other leopards; better camouflage in the broadleaf forests
Tongue has denticles, tiny hooks, to lick clean
the bones of their prey
Longer legs for prowling through snow
Bigger paws for walking on snow
Can reach speeds of up to 37 mph
Avoid living and hunting next to Amur Tiger
populations so as to reduce competition of space and prey
(Amur Facts).
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Biological Profile
Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Carnivora

Family - Felidae

Genus - Panthera

Species - Pardus

Habitat
Location: The habitat of the Amur Leopard is the
southeastern forests of Russia and the northeastern forests of China
and Korea. These forests
expand across the Jilin province
and the Primorsky Krai
(Maritime Province) regions.
This area is the categorized
with two distinct eco-regions,
the Amur-Sakhalin boreal
biome that spans Russia and
the Manchurian/Asian biome
that spans China and Korea
providing absolute uniqueness
to the plants and animals that
live here.
Geography: This area of
the world provides a very unique
landscape from mountain ranges to
coastal wetlands. The borders of this
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area are approximately 1,900 miles inland and 840 miles of coastline. The
internal square miles of the area is 194,600, being approximate to the size of
France (Primorsky).
The main topography of the region are highland mountainous
regions that are approximately 80% forested. The main mountain
ranges are the Sikhote-Alin, Partizansky, Siny, and Kholodny with
average elevations of 1,600 ft with the highest peak being Anik
Mountain at 6,324 ft. There are also a variety of caves, river basins,
rivers, lakes, lowlands, wetlands, and coasts further making this area
a main spot for biodiversity and endemic species (Primorsky).

Climate: The climate in this region is determined by

weather patterns in the continental influences of central Asia. This
typically leaves this region with harsh, snowy winters and and intense
monsoon season in the spring. The average temperatures for this area
range from -9 to 86 with winter and summer months being very
similar to that of the Pacific Northwest. Precipitation in this area
averages around 20-40 inches annually. 65% of this precipitation
comes in the form of rain between the months of April to October. The
remainder comes in the form of snowfall, with the heaviest of snow
months being December to February. This region also has great forms
of humidity fluctuations that give part to its unique forests and
diversity. The humidity averages around 34% in winter months and can
spike up to 95% during the summer (Average).
Regional Flora: The flora of the Amur-Sakhalin biome
and the Manchurian biome is that of a boreal forests. This particular
boreal forests consists of heavily dense coniferous and deciduous
forest structure. The main coniferous tree species is the Korean Pine
which gives main habitat to the Amur Leopard and the Siberian Tiger.
Other main coniferous species
found here are Larch, Fir, and
Spruce. Main hardwood species
include Birch, Maple, and
Manchurian Oak. Lastly, softwood
species that inhabit the area are
Willows, Manchurian Ash, and Elm
trees (Vladivostok).
(Panax Ginseng)
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The region is also home to some very important plant species, some of
which are endemic to the area. The main plant here is the Panax
Ginseng. Ginseng is endemic here and is currently critically
endangered. This plant once used to dominate the understory of these
forests, yet is now scattered and sparse. The high depletion of Ginseng
is contributed to logging, wildfires, and overharvesting. The over
harvesting of Ginseng is due to its rich medicinal properties. Ginseng is
known for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, promoting
relaxation, aid in diabetes treatment, reduce stress, and fight against
viral illnesses (Eastern).

Regional Fauna: As noted before, this area of the world

is rich in biodiversity. This richness and uniqueness comes from the
merging of the two main eco-regions that are present here, along with
the area escaping glaciation during the last ice age. This provided a
genetic overlap of the two biomes (Vladivostok).

(Amur Tiger) (Eurasian Wolf) (Siberian Lynx)

Main carnivorous species found in the forests here are the Siberian
tiger, Amur leopard, lynx, wolf, sable and bear. Other mammals present
here are Sika deer, Musk deer, Siberian roe deer, wild boar, and small
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rodents. This region is also home to a wide variety of bird species. They
are usually found near the wetland and coastal areas. This is a known
home to over 300 different species, and 30 of those are globally
threatened. These wetlands provide a critical staging site for the birds
during the North Asian flyway migration. With this being a main site for
many species it is also a main breeding area for the birds. The aquatic
species here are just as unique as the land dwelling species. There are
rich fisheries in this area providing a home to over 100 freshwater
species ranging from taimen, Cherry salmon, trout, pike, grayling, and
lenok. These aquatic animals provide a very viable resource for the
region by means of a food source along with helping the local economy
(Vladivostok).

River Systems: Luckily, the river systems here are

mostly uncontaminated and free of development which gives home to
all of its ripe species. The main river in the area is the Ussuri River that
stretches nearly 561 miles in length. This river along with the Bolshaya
Ussurka-Armu and Arsenjevka rivers are long, slow rivers that drain
west into Lake Khanka, the largest lake around. While Kievka, Samarga,
and Kema rivers are runoff from the Sikhote-Alin mountain range in the
west. These are typically short rivers with fast moving waters, whose
destination is the Sea of Japan (Vladivostok). These rivers and
accompanying river basins are home to the Amur leopard during spring
and summer months, providing substantial food and habitat.
Effects of Climate Change: Climate change is expected
to be particularly harsh on boreal forests being that they are a
sensitive and vulnerable biome. This vulnerability comes from the
nature of its soils being most of peat and permafrost. With the rising
world temperatures, the melting of permafrost regions is on the high.
This is a very slippery slope in effects of this habitat in the upcoming
future. When the permafrost melts it affects tree stability, local
hydrology, and the releasing of stored carbon and methane gases into
the atmosphere. These forests are now classified as net carbon sources
rather that net carbon sinks due to thawing, wildfires, and insect
outbreaks.

These forests used to be radiation balancers and carbon sequesters

that provided the essential ecological balance of and interconnected
feedback loop between climate and nature, yet climate change is
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reversing this loop into a positive feedback loop. Now, with excessive
heat and earlier snow melt off it is providing a perfect condition for
larger, more powerful wildfires. These wildfires are now a main part in
the now positive feedback loop in this ecosystem further escalating
climate changes effects.

There are also present signs of a northern shift of plant and animal
species due to climate change, as well as premature mating and
migration patterns. Southern lying species are now creeping their way
into this region which could have a detrimental end to many current
endemic species. Current plant species are at the highest threat risk of
southern invading species due to warming happening much quicker
than vegetation can react (Yale).

(Amur River Basin - WWF)

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Breeding
Amur Leopard are solitary animals that
only meet up to mate. Males will usually
come and fight to mate with a female.
They are able to locate fellow leopards by
spraying their scent on particular
overhangs and trees. Once they breed,
the males go on their way.
Mothers can have 1-4 kittens,
with usual liters being of two
kittens. The kittens stay with
their mother for two years so
that they may learn to live on
their own. Once their mothers
feel that their kitten is capable of
surviving, the mother will
discreetly disappear and
become solitary once more
(need something here).

Prey
Main prey for the Amur Leopard typically cloven-hoofed animals: Sika deer, Musk
deer, Roe deer, and Manchurian wapiti. If their main

choice of food is nowhere to be found, they will also prey on wild boar, fowl, small
rodents, and badgers (What Amur).

They are nocturnal hunters who mainly stalk prey that are diurnal, or animals that
are active during the day, therefore resting after sunset.
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(Sika Deer) (Musk Deer)

(Roe Deer)

Food Web Example:

The Primary Producer: Grass

The Primary Consume: Sika Deer
Secondary Consumer, Apex Predator: Amur Leopard

One of the biggest threats to the Amur Leopard is the lack of viable prey. Food has
become so scarce for them that it is simply not feasible to have large populations.
They are good about staying out of the Amur Tigers domain, being that the tigers
are much larger than them and if a fight broke out over food the tiger would surely
win. Yet, their main species of prey, the Sika deer and Roe deer, are being poached
at alarming rates. These species are poached for human food security, being a
nuisance, and their body parts (antlers). One area of conservation focus needs to be
on reintroduction of main prey species, so that the Amur Leopard and other
keystone carnivores may survive.

Amur Leopards occasionally get themselves in trouble with local farmers and their
livestock. While it is not a major problem now, their lack of wild prey will surely lead
to more livestock loss. This will inevitably start a nasty positive feedback loop of
farmers taking matters into their own hands (Amur WWF).

Threats & Risks

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The small population of Amur Leopards have a wide variety of threats directly
impacting their survival. To have a real success at saving this species, a
conservation plan must deal with every threat towards them.

Prey scarcity: As stated above, their prey is often poached for food,
body parts, or for being a nuisance to local communities. This threat is the
main driving force in China for the rapid declining cat populations. Due to the
lack of food in China, majority of the population has crossed over into Russia
and presumably North Korea, yet the later is unknown.

Populations of their prey are being severely diminished from poaching. To

save the Amur Leopard, we must also save its prey from threats of extinction.
When prey populations are rebuilt, scientists speculate the the leopards will
move back into regions of China
(Amur WWF).

Habitat loss: There is

plenty of habitat for the leopards to
repopulate in the Amur regions of
Russia and China, yet there is not
enough prey in these regions. So,
where the prey is has a lack of
habitat due to annual man-made
forest fires to control bug
populations. This leaves the rest of
the forest uninhabitable for the rest
of the animals. There is also a
threat of habitat loss due to coal
mining, new railroads, and
expansion of the electrical grid
(Amur Facts).
Illegal wildlife trade: They
are largely poached for their
beautiful fur, and it gives local
people a great source of income.
Their habitats are often neighbored
by agriculture and villages which makes poaching that much more accessible.
There is also a market for them in the Chinese traditional medicine market
(Amur WWF).
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Farming: There is also a large threat to the leopards from agriculture

and farming. First off, the farms take up a good portion of their habitat. And
secondly, with the lack of natural prey, the leopards will often hunt domestic
animals. Farmers then kill the leopards so as to protect their business (ALTA).

(Logging & Forest Fire) (Amur Leopard Skins)

Present Conservation Efforts

(use Alta, WCS, Phoenix fund, WAZA)

In recent years,
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References
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and Aquariums. WAZA, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

"Amur leopard and Tiger Alliance." ALTA Conservation. The Zoological Society of
London, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.
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"Amur Leopard Facts & Information ." Active Wild. Word Press, 10 Jan. 2017. Web. 20
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2017.

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