Extremely Rare Leopard Photographed

[n2doc]

By LiveScience Staff
posted: 30 October 2008 11:34 am ET


At least one of the world’s rarest big cats is alive and well, according to scientists who captured, photographed and gave a check-up to a female Far Eastern leopard in Russia last week.

The Far Eastern leopard is perhaps the world’s most endangered big cat, with an estimated 25 to 40 individuals inhabiting a narrow strip of land in the far southeastern corner of the Russian Federation.

A team of scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Biology and Soils (IBS) captured one of these rare felines in Primorsky Krai along the Russian-Chinese border.

The leopardess, nicknamed “Alyona” by the researchers, was in good physical condition, weighing a healthy 85 pounds (39 kilograms). A preliminary health analysis revealed that she is between 8 and 10 years old. Alyona has since been released unharmed.

Specialists are continuing to analyze blood samples as well as an electrocardiogram, which will reveal genetic information to assess levels of inbreeding (the tiny leopard population is thought to have no more than 10 to 15 females).

Three leopards captured previously (2 males and 1 female) in 2006 and 2007 all exhibited significant heart murmurs, which may reflect genetic disorders.

http://www.livescience.com/animals/081030-big-cat-checkup.html

[YankeyMCC]

1. Even knocked out and being man handled like that

the Alyona's beauty still shines through. I hope there is a future for her and her kind.

[kestrel91316]

3. We veterinarians do NOT "manhandle" our patients. Sheesh.

[YankeyMCC]

4. Didn't mean to disparage anyone

I know it is being done with good intent. :)

[kestrel91316]

5. Leopards, no matter how rare, need not be handled like Belleek porcelain.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. But I'll bet you're guilty of fondling. :^) nt

Too hard to resist stealing a little kitty love ...

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http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/ascii_cats.htm

[undergroundpanther]

2. Oh,she is so BEAUTIFUL!!!

(tears welling up)
Sekhmet protect her from the stupid people and greedy humans!!

[joshcryer]

6. Wasn't this beautiful creature featured on Planet Earth?

I can't remember, it does look similar but the one on Planet Earth may have been fuzzier. :)

In any case, it's good that they're still around, for how long who knows.