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The Amur leopard is considered to be one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world, with roughly 30-40 individuals remaining in the wild. Habitat loss and hunting (for trophies and use in traditional medicines) are the biggest threats to Amur leopards in the wild.
The Amur leopard has been a protected species in Russia since 1956, but poaching is still a problem. Conservation efforts in the wild for these animals include anti-poaching patrols, customs control, fighting forest fires, environmental education programmes and working closely with local communities.
Information sourced from Marwell Zoo.
We didn't really get any great views of leopards on our first visit to Kruger in 2007. However, this year (2008), this one was waiting for us at the side of the road on our drive from Skukuza airfield to Jock Safari Lodge! Beautiful - the camouflage against the grasses was very impressive too...
I've been hoping that taking pictures through the glass viewing window would be easier than it is at the "snow leopard mountain" exhibit where there's that oh so difficult close wire mesh barrier.
I was lucky on this occasion that i could find a clean bit of glass, and there was nobody else around to cast reflections in the glass.
I don't know if this is Sabu or Kamala.
Maybe i'll be lucky enough to see both leopards together next visit!
OK these are the last of my son Justin's photos I'm posting - he must get his own flickr account. He has an uncanny relationship with animals - they seem to "seek him out".