Recently learned that it apparently was a folklore belief in Korea that tigers and leopards were the same species and that 1/3 of a tigress' cubs became a leopard, and thats hella cute
The Amur leopard is a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia and northern China. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as in 2007, only 19–26 wild leopards were estimated to survive in southeastern Russia and northeastern China. It is considered one of the rarest cats on Earth.
As of 2015, fewer than 60 individuals were estimated to survive in Russia and China. Camera-trapping surveys conducted between 2014 and 2015 revealed 92 individuals in an 8,398 km2 (3,242 sq mi) large transboundary area along the Russian-Chinese border. In 2019, it was reported that the population was about 90 leopards. In 2021, it was reported the population was about 110 individuals.
It's #cafezootober Day 19: Amur Leopard & Chocolate Chip Cookie
Although widely recognized as the rarest big cat in the world, their population is now on a slow but steady rise due to conservation efforts!
Participating in #cafezootober helps to spread the word about critically endangered species, as well as provides the world with much-needed art featuring these beautiful animals.
[Click to learn more about Amur Leopards and how you can help]