Today is Endangered Species Day and we want to raise awareness of animals that are facing extinction. We are dedicating today to Amur leopards, which are the most critically endangered big cat in the world!
Amur leopards are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and there are approximately 100 Amur leopards left in the wild and around 350 in captivity. The species can be found from far-eastern Russia in the Amur valley. The main threats faced in the wild are deforestation, poaching for their fur and the use of traditional Asian medicine.
At the Sanctuary, we have two beautiful Amur leopards, Xizi, who is 16 years old and Luka, who is 2 years old. Both are incredible ambassadors for their species, educating people on the importance of protecting their wild cousins before it’s too late.
The Sanctuary is proud to have been part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme to help populate the numbers of Amur leopards in captivity, creating a safety net for the species if they were to go extinct in the wild. Xizi has had cubs previously with Artur and Hogar. She had two boys with Artur in 2008 and had one girl and one boy with Hogar in 2012. Hogar was moved to Rutland Zoo in December 2020 to make more space for Xizi and Artur as they both were a breeding pair at the time. Unfortunately, Artur sadly passed away at the beginning of April 2021.
Since then, Luka has joined the Sanctuary from Colchester Zoo in November 2021 and has settled in wonderfully into his new home. He is a firm favourite on our photography experience, with his long whiskers and his adorable ‘babyface’.
Xizi is now in her retirement years and is no longer participating in the breeding programme. However, Luka is part of the breeding programme and there is hope that he will breed in the future to play his part in saving the Amur leopard species from extinction.
Take part in one of our amazing animal experiences at The Big Cat Sanctuary including big cat experiences, photography experiences, safari lodges and overnight safari stays, ranger for a day experiences and our big cat afternoon tea with Paul Hollywood. You can also adopt a big cat and help the conservation efforts that support our amazing animals!