Video: Armenia May Have a Breeding Pair of Caucasian Leopards

A previously unrecorded Caucasian leopard has been captured by trap cameras set up in the territory of the Caucasian Biodiversity Reserve. Since the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values (FPWC) began operations in this area in 2013, this is the fourth leopard recorded by the foundation's cameras.

This was announced in a statement released by the FPWC. "The recording of this individual may indicate a much more significant acquisition. Preliminary studies suggest that it is likely a female leopard, rather than a male, which would be a huge advancement in the ongoing conservation efforts over the years. Confirming this possibility will require additional studies, but the possibility of it being a female opens up significant opportunities for the further breeding and raising of offspring, which would be a crucial achievement for Armenia and the entire region," FPWC Director Ruben Khachatryan emphasized.

Notably, such a development is highly possible. Our studies indicate that within the last month, the new individual was recorded in the same area as a known male leopard named Neo. It is actually unlikely that two male individuals would stay so close to each other for such an extended period. Both Neo and the newly recorded leopard are young individuals, which increases the probability of their breeding.

Once the sex of the newly captured individual is confirmed, its presence in the area will become even more significant. The last female leopard was recorded in the Khosrov Forest area when Armenia was still under Soviet rule. Regardless of the gender of the newly identified individual, it is already unprecedented to have two leopards in the same area of the Caucasian Biodiversity Reserve (CWR). This fact proves that the efforts made in the privately protected area by FPWC are ensuring the safety of the location, the effectiveness of which is apparent.

It should be noted that during the Soviet years, the Caucasian leopard faced persecution and was placed under protection only in 1987. After that time, despite the hunting ban, the population of leopards continued to decline. In light of recent unfortunate events, the importance of the Caucasian Biodiversity Reserve has grown, as it provides a safe habitat for pieces of nature to be protected.

The foundation's director Ruben Khachatryan expressed that it was very painful to witness the destruction of crucial ecosystems during the war, but fortunately, the CWR territories have been successfully preserved. The invaluable support of our partners, including the World Land Trust, Viva-MTS, ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, and IUCN NL, also plays a crucial role in the continuation of the Caucasian Biodiversity Reserve's activities. It is thanks to their support that we now hope to have a breeding pair of leopards in Armenia.

It is important to remind that the Caucasian leopard is a rare species recorded in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia, and its conservation is crucial at present. The subspecies is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Endangered EN C2a(i)," while the species has a "Near Threatened" status. According to the criteria of the IUCN Red List, it is evaluated as "Critically Endangered" CR C2a(i); D. The fact that the animal's movement has already become periodic also speaks to the existing prey base and all the conditions that ensure a safe environment," states the release.

According to data from the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science, it inhabits Southwestern and Southern Armenia, from the central and eastern parts of the Khosrov Forest Reserve to the Armenian-Iranian border, within the Geghama, Zangezur, Vayots Dzor, Bargushat, and Meghri mountain ranges. The main threats include habitat fragmentation, mainly caused by poaching and human economic activity.