Rare leopard faces extinction

Recently, I have been pondering on the same question over and over again: “Will there be any lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and rhinos left when I am old?” This may seem far-fetched to some, but it is perfectly likely to happen, given the huge list of animals facing extinction. A few more years of natural human instincts like greed, vanity and selfishness is all it takes. Has an image of Africa with no lions ever crossed your mind? Will the future generation actually be able to see a living, breathing, running Cheetah? Will they even know what the only cat strong enough to vertically lift prey the same size, or sometimes even larger than itself looks like?

Big cats have always held a special place in the hearts of many. Maybe it’s their grace, beauty, power, strength and vitality that we can relate to, to emulate or to possess. Is this then, the reason that many of them have been hunted to near extinction? Killed for their coats and various body parts in the belief of medicinal values… or to merely satisfy our selfish vanity? Of course, on the other side of the coin, big cats are also seen as pests in many parts of the world due to their predation on livestock. Attacks on humans have not exactly helped their reputation either. These man-eaters drive home the fact that in certain places, man is not on top of the food chain. Is this another reason why we feel threatened, not for our general safety, but a fear of NOT being in the driver’s seat and possessing total power over the animal kingdom?

When I say “big cat”, it is often lions, tigers, cheetahs, cougars, jaguars and leopards that come to mind. But what of the subspecies? The least well-known of all big cats is the heavily endangered Amur Leopard, which originated in northern eastern China, Russia and in the Korean peninsula. However, now, it can only be found to the southwest of the Primorye region in Russia, and I use the term “found” very loosely. At first glance, these magnificent cats may be mistaken for Snow Leopards due to their thick coats and long tails, but they are actually a subspecies of the African Leopard. They differ from their African cousins as they have a thicker coat to survive the cold Siberian temperatures. Sadly, there are only 30 to 35 individuals remaining in the wild, and the species officially classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN in February 2012.

So, what has driven this subspecies to the brink of extinction? Their decline can be mainly attributed to illegal hunting and loss of habitat. Leopard coats are highly valued among the rich, as a symbol of wealth and beauty, and can fetch a hefty amount. Naturally, this fuels illegal poaching, and despite anti-poaching teams in place to protect the leopards, the problem persists. The leopards are also killed as acts of revenge by farmers whose livestock have been taken by the cats, despite given compensation for their loss. Wars between farmers and big cats have been going on for centuries and it’s easy to guess who comes out on top, when weapons are involved.

Moreover, frequent land burning to improve land fertility for livestock and other commercial purposes, such as road building and mineral extraction, has irrevocably changed the Primorye landscape to permanent grasslands. These cats need cover to hunt successfully. They are not sprinters like the cheetah. With one end being chased by angry farmers and poachers, and the other end hard-pressed to find food, it is no wonder that even these hardy cats are finding it harder and harder to survive.

In addition, humans indirectly threaten the Amur leopard population by affecting prey population and upsetting the food chain. Leopards are not the only animals suffering at the hands of illegal poachers: numerous other species such as the Eurasian black bears and deer are also victims, as their bones are believed to have medicinal properties. Forest degradation has also altered the prey density available for the leopards, which does not bode well for their survival. A reduced population leads to a lack of gene diversity and results in inbreeding between leopards, which could very well jeopardize their already dwindling numbers.

In a nutshell, the main reason why conservationist efforts rarely succeed is because do not believe that they personally have a responsibility to protect endangered species. Ignorance is just as dangerous as violence and if we carry on holding this ignorant attitude then our children will not be as privileged as we are to live in such a bio diverse world. It is high time we realise that we are not living in this world alone, we are SHARING it with other living creatures.

Everyone can play a role in saving these animals, no matter how insignificant it may seem. For example, actively boycotting the fur industry or Chinese medicine is a start, as these industries fuel leopard poaching. If we believe in the worth of Amur leopards and other endangered species, then there is still hope for their survival. They deserve a space in this world with us, so give them a chance and lend a helping hand! Donations to conservation efforts, ideas for helping the species and the opportunity to adopt an Amur Leopard for just £3 per month can be found at www.amur-leopard.org and www.wwf.org.uk.