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Persian Leopard Portrait

The Persian leopard, Panthera pardus tulliana, once inhabited almost all of the Caucasus. However, the population declined drastically in late 19th – early 20th centuries. Only a few leopards now inhabit the most remote places of the Russian Caucasus. The number of leopards here is considered to be too small for the species to reproduce itself; and only occasional ‘visits’ of the Persian leopards from bordering countries help to maintain the population. Therefore, natural restoration of the leopard here is impossible; only reintroduction can help return the species to the Northern Caucasus.

 

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Uploaded on October 22, 2007