Video: Rare Caucasian Leopard Captured by Cameras in Urtsadzor

In the Urtsadzor region, one of the cameras at the Caucasian Biodiversity Sanctuary has captured footage of the rare Caucasian leopard. This was reported by Econews.am.

This subspecies of leopard is the only one listed as a threatened species in the IUCN Red List, which means that there are only about 1,300 mature individuals left in the world. The WLT notes that the main threat to the animal comes from poaching, both directed at the leopard itself and its prey, the bezoar goat and the muflon.

It is noteworthy that this species is protected in the “Khosrov Forest” and “Shikahogh” reserves, the “Arayvik” National Park, and the “Zangezur” Sanctuary. As a conservation measure, efforts are being made to reduce habitat fragmentation. Specifically, it is essential to unite biotopes with rich food resources within a network of large and small protected areas. There is a need to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of poaching, mining, road construction, grazing, and other anthropogenic activities.