Candid Camera (Trap): The Worlds Rarest Big Cat
“The Amur or Far Eastern leopard, Panthera pardus orientalis, is the worlds most endangered big cat, and the only one known to be adapted to the cold, snowy environment in which it lives.
By Carin Bondar
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
“The Amur or Far Eastern leopard, Panthera pardus orientalis, is the world’s most endangered big cat, and the only one known to be adapted to the cold, snowy environment in which it lives. There are only some thirty to fifty individuals left in the wild, and around 170 others in zoos worldwide. The wild population lives only on a tiny speck of land along the Russia-China border; deep snows prevent them from moving too far north while human activity keeps them from spreading south.
The video above is particularly exciting because it shows that, though small in size, the population of wild Amur leopards is breeding. The second individual to walk across the screen is a mature female, and she’s preceded and followed by two young cubs!”
-Jason Goldman
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Check out the original post by Jason Goldman on ‘The Thoughtful Animal’.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
