AMUR LEOPARD

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia and the Jilin Province of northeast China. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In 2007, only 19–26 wild Amur leopards were estimated to survive. As of 2015, fewer than 60 individuals were estimated to survive in Russia and China. As of 2018, the population in the wild has climbed to around 103 individuals thanks to intense conservation efforts.The Amur leopard is the rarest big cat on Earth.

The Amur leopard is also known as the Far Eastern leopard. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the Cat Specialist Group subsumed P. p. japonensis to P. p. orientalis. The Amur leopard differs from other subspecies by a thick coat of spot-covered fur. It shows the strongest and most consistent divergence in pattern. Its fur is pale cream-colored coat, particularly in winter. Rosettes on the flanks are 5 cm × 5 cm (2.0 in × 2.0 in) and widely spaced, up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in), with thick, unbroken rings and darkened centers. Its fur is fairly soft with long and dense hair. The length of hair on the back is 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) in summer and up to 70 mm (2.8 in) in winter. The winter coat varies from fairly light yellow to dense yellowish-red with a golden tinge or rusty-reddish-yellow. It is well adapted to deep snow. The summer pelage is brighter with more vivid coloration pattern. The Amur leopard is rather small in size, with males larger than females. Males measure from 107–136 cm (42–54 in) with a 82–90 cm (32–35 in) long tail, a shoulder height of 64–78 cm (25–31 in), and a weight of 32.2–48 kg (71–106 lb). Females weigh from 25–42.5 kg (55–94 lb).