Persian leopard
Persian Leopard in Zoo Hannover
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor = ciscaucasica ), also known as the Northern Persian Leopard or Leopard Caucasus, is a subspecies of leopard, which is predominantly used in the Middle East. The core distribution area lies in present-day Iran. The Persian leopard comes in single individuals nor in the Great Caucasus and thus represents the only extant Big Cat Europe dar. Due to the contentious taxonomic relationships is not entirely clear which populations are expected to this subspecies. It is well established that all leopards from the Caucasus, eastern Turkey, north Iran and those from Turkmenistan belong to this subspecies. It is unclear, however, whether belonging to the leopards of southern Iran, as well as those in Afghanistan and Baluchistan also this or any other subspecies ( P. p. Sindica ). It is unclear, as is the position of the leopards in the adjacent Kashmir. The remainders in western Turkey could form a separate subspecies ( P. p. Tulliana ). The Persian leopard is considered as endangered with a total stock of more than 870-1300 animals.
Features
The Persian leopard is especially bright colored and bears relatively large patches. He is one of the largest subspecies. The total length of two large animals from the northern Iran was 213 or 212 cm. My weight was respectively 86 and 66 kg. The largest known skull, which was found in Golestan National Park, had a length of 288 mm.
Taxonomy
The systematic position of the Persian leopard is not yet fully understood. In particular, it is questionable which include populations between Asia Minor and Kashmir to this subspecies. What is clear is that the leopards of Persia from the Arabian leopard ( P. p. Nimr ) on the one hand and the Indian leopard ( P. p. Fusca ) on the other hand differ genetically and externally. In the area in question were originally seven subspecies ( Tulliana, ciscaucasica, saxicolor, sindica, millardi, dathei, transcaucasica ) described. Genetic studies have shown that, although based on few individuals, these are all one subspecies are attributable. Morphological analyzes suggest, in contrast, however, indicated that only the forms ciscaucasica, saxicolor and transcaucasica are to be expected as the Persian leopard. This would have the scientific name Panthera pardus ciscaucasica as the oldest name priority. The Western Anatolia leopard ( P. p. Tulliana ) on the one hand and the Baluchstian leopard ( P. p. Sindica ) on the other hand, on the other hand seem to create their own subspecies. As regards the latter, according to these analyzes also include the central Persian form ( dathei ) and probably the Kashmir Leopard ( millardi ). However, this is not confirmed. It also remains unclear in recognition of Balochistan as a separate subspecies of leopard demarcation of the boundary between this form and the North Persian leopard. If you would include the West Anatolian leopard ( P. p. Tulliana ) to the Persian leopard, would this name as the oldest scientific name priority. Also due to these uncertainties, for example, retains the IUCN for the time being the traditional name saxicolor at.
The leopards in northern Iran should usually be large, pale -colored animals, while in the south rather dark colored, slightly smaller specimens are to occur. However, recent studies could not detect any noticeable differences in the coat pattern between North and South Persian Persian leopard.
Inventory and distribution
Overall, the wild stock of adult Persian leopard is estimated to be less than 870-1300 copies. The inventory numbers are also declining. The subspecies is therefore classified by the IUCN as endangered ( Endangered ).
Iran is the heartland of the distribution. Here, the leopard is still widely used. Especially in the northern and northwestern parts of the country, he is also still relatively frequent. In the south and southeast it is, however, generally rare. He lived in Iran for about 885,300 km ², which is half of the national territory. The population density is, however, very low on average. The stock has declined in Iran and is estimated according to rough estimates 550-850 animals. Just over half of which occur in protected areas. The main leopards protected areas in Iran are the Golestan National Park (40-45 animals), the Tandoreh National Park (12-18 animals) and the Bamu National Park (15-20 animals). Generally, however, there is a tendency to overestimate the inventory figures. The prey in Iran have become increasingly rare, the Panthers forced to roam large hunting grounds. This can easily lead in practice to multiple counts. A big threat is the fragmentation of holdings. Few populations are still considered viable. In Turkmenistan, likely about 80 to 90 animals live in Afghanistan, the collections are estimated at 200 to 300 animals.
In the Caucasus region leopards come only in a few, isolated relict populations from each with a few isolated individuals. The largest part of the population of the region lives in north-western Iran and consists of about 25 animals. Important core deposits are located here in the Talysh Mountains, where in addition to the Iranian deposits also about 3-5 animals might live on the Azerbaijani side. Similarly, many are being accepted for the Iori - Mingechaur area on the border between Azerbaijan and Georgia. A slightly larger part of the population of 7-15 leopards inhabited the Zangezur and Meghri Mountains in Armenia and Azerbaijan. On the Caucasus, about 10-15 leopards still hold on in Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Chechnya probably. Status in eastern Turkey is unknown. Whether the leopard in western Turkey still occurs is unclear. In the southeast of Armenia poaching seems to be a big problem. The Leopard stocks here are obviously well below the potential stocks that could occur there in view of the prey.
The biggest threats are falling prey population, habitat changes and the adjustments to the leopard, who is pursued primarily as a livestock killer. The exact impact and scope of these threats, however, are difficult to ascertain.
Habitat
The Persian leopard is like all the subspecies of leopards very adaptable. It occurs in forests and grasslands and semi-deserts, but the largest population of the Persian leopard is found in the grasslands at the foot of the Alborz Mountains. He originally inhabited almost all habitats of Iran with the exception of the open plains and agriculturally intensively used areas.
Prey
The most important prey species in Iran are Bezoarziegen (Capra aegagrus ), wild boars, wild sheep ( Ovis spp.), Gazelle ( Gazella subguttorosa ), red deer (Cervus elaphus ), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Indian porcupine ( Hystrix indica), Pikas ( Ochotona rufescens ) and livestock and dogs. In the area of Golestan National Park in Northeast Iran, leopards eat mainly of steppe wild sheep and wild boar, and probably of wild goats. The natural prey is supplemented apparently from pets. In the southeast of Armenia they feed mainly on Bezoarziegen, wild boars, deer and Indian porcupine.
Attitude in captivity
The Persian leopard is now held in many European zoos and bred regularly. All of the founding animals from Iran were caught 1955-1967 in the Alborz Mountains, in the Kopet Dagh and the Ala- Dagh Mountains.
Cultural History
The leopard has always been a common animal Persia and had influence on the culture of the Near East. In Iran, there are about several places that the Persian name Palang Cow ( German: " leopard mountain") wear.