Magazine Cover 02

ENDANGERED
ANIMALS MAGAZINE

EXCLUSIVE HOW TO:

The Black Save the
Rhino Endangered

P.35 Ani mal s

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A M U R L EO PA RD

THE WORLD'S MOST ENDANGERED
ANIMAL.

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TheAmur
Leopard

The Am u r leopar d is a Critically Wild Amur leopards generally live between 10 to 15 years. Captive leopards
Endangered big cat that inhabits can live as long as 20 years. The serious decline of the Amur leopard
parts of southeastern Russia and population is the result of poaching, deforestation and loss of habitat from
northeastern China. The Amur fires. Organizations working to protect and save the Amur Leopard: Pan t h er a
leopard lives farther north than any f ocu ses it s con ser vat ion ef f or t s on im per iled cat s, in clu din g t iger s, lion s,
other leopard. It is the only leopard jagu ar s, sn ow leopar ds, pu m as an d ch eet ah s. Ph oen ix Fu n d:Ou r m ission
subspecies that has adapted to a is t o con ser ve t h e except ion ally r ich f au n a an d f lor a of t h e Ru ssian Far
cold climate. Its fur is thick, soft and East , t h e on ly r egion w h er e Am u r t iger s an d leopar ds su r vive in t h e w ild.
covered in spots. Overall the coat Tigr is Fou n dat ion : Dedicat ed t o t h e su r vival of t h e Am u r t iger an d
has a pale color, which helps the cat leopar d. Poaching of both leopards and prey species is a serious threat.
hide in the snow. Forests in Southwest Primorye are relatively accessible, the area is more
densely populated than most of the Russian Far East, and Russia has a
Currently, there are less than hunting culture both for sport and for food. The two main cities of Primorski
60 Amur leopards still living in the Krai ? Vladivostok and Ussurisk ? are only two or three hours drive away, so
wild. The Amur leopard is one of the leopard?s range holds some of the most popular hunting grounds for city
the most endangered wild cats on residents. Forest fires:These are a direct threat to Amur leopards as they
the planet. The leopards maintain reduce the animals?natural forest habitat, replacing it with grasslands that
individual territories approximately leopards prefer to avoid. Inbreeding:With a population that dwindled to 35
20 to 120 miles in size, usually in a individuals only a few decades ago, this is the only big cat with international
river basin. The current Russian approval to be considered for reintroduction using captive-bred Amur
population exists in an area of leopards. Development:Southwest Primorye is located close to the Russian
about 2,700 square miles. Leopards borders with China and North Korea, making it an attractive area for
cross the Tu m en River (a long river infrastructure projects such as new railways, gas and oil pipelines and ports.
that makes up part of the boundary In 2005 and 2006 ZSL and its local partner, Phoenix Fund led a successful
between Russian, China and Korea) international campaign against a plan to build an oil pipeline terminal on the
to travel between those countries. coast of the Sea of Japan in the range of both the Amur leopard and tiger.
Disease:Diseases such as Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), are threatening the
Amur Leopard prey consists isolated and vulnerable Amur leopard population. We are working with
of musk deer, roe deer, moose, wild scientific partners to understand exactly how this disease is contracted by
pig, Manchurian wapiti (elk), hare, leopards and its origins. WildCats is working hard to reduce these threats by
badger, fowl, mice and at times, funding appropriate conservation projects and educating and informing
young black bears. The leopard people about the importance of the Amur leopard and tiger.
usually hunts at night. Female
leopards start breeding between
2-3 years of age. They have
between one to four cubs during
the spring or early summer. Most
recently, the average size of a litter
has only been two cats. The young
cats leave their mothers within 1 to
1 ½ years.

AYE-AYE

(Capt ain !!)

The aye-aye is the world?s largest nocturnal primate and, like other People have to understand that aye ayes
lemurs, is found only in Madagascar. It has evolved a series of don't bring bad luck and then they wont kill
adaptations to fit its unusual feeding habits, making it one of the them! There at least 16 places that protect
most bizarre-looking animals on the planet. Among the aye-aye?s the aye ayes can live in Madagascar. There
peculiar features are its skeletally thin middle finger, which it uses to are also places that say:''Do not kill the aye
tap on branches before listening for the reverberations of grubs ayes!'' And they also keep them in zoos (that
moving in cavities beneath the tree-bark with its large ears ? a help them.) People try to explain to farmers
process known as echolocation. If a grub is heard, the aye-aye rips that they don't have to kill them, even if the
open the cavity with its incredibly strong teeth and hooks out the aye ayes destroy there crops. San Diego Zoo
grub with its highly dextrous fourth finger. This finger has its own Global is working with our partners to
ball and socket joint, making it especially effective at ?fishing out?the protect the aye-aye in the primary forest of
gr u b s. Maromizaha. Through ourGlobal
Partnershipsteam, we are building local
Sometimes referred to as Madagascar ?s version of the woodpecker, scientific capacity and training rangers to
the aye-aye is known to occur in numerous protected areas across undertake long-term population monitoring
the country, including 13 national parks and 13 special reserves. of the aye-aye and other native wildlife using
Consequently, there?s an urgent need for a because it?s sighted so both traditional and newer camera-trap
infrequently, scientists still have only a limited understanding of how methodologies. Because little is known
many aye-aye?s there actually arsystematic census of the species about the aye-aye?s natural behavior in the
throughout its range, with the ultimate objective of developing a wild, our research is aimed at better
conservation action plan that protects its long-term future.Even understanding its activity pattern and
more worryingly, the aye-aye?s odd appearance has led to the rise of habitat preferences, as well as how this
local superstitions regarding it as an evil omen and a crop-pest. In species is impacted by human disturbance.
many areas, it?s killed on sight. Meanwhile, widespread habitat loss Additionally, we are working with local
in Madagascar caused by agriculture and land development is educators in primary schools adjacent to the
putting the aye-aye?s forest home at risk. Together, these twin forest through our Little Green Guards
threats have resulted in a drastic decline in the aye-aye population. program to inspire children to care for their
native wildlife and habitat. Our conservation
expertise and commitment will help ensure
a future for the aye-aye population in this
area.