http://app.response.stratfor.com/e/es.aspx?s=1483&e=290046&elq=f0bd9bf94b1c4615915f09dde1dc2c13
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"The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) is the largest leopard subspecies, and native to eastern Turkey, the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, southern Turkmenistan and parts of western Afghanistan. It is endangered throughout its range in the Middle East with fewer than 871-1,290 mature individuals and a declining population trend.[1]"
"The Russian explorer Satunin first described the Caucasian leopard P.p. ciscaucasica in 1914 from a specimen in the Kuban region of North Caucasus.[4]
In the 1920s, the British zoologist Pocock collected specimens from different areas of Persia and described them as Persian leopard P.p. saxicolor in 1927, though recognizing the similarity to P.p. ciscaucasica.[5]
Today, these names are considered synonyms.[6]"
"The Persian leopard is a flag-ship species.
Its presence is a sign of the health of the entire ecosystem."
"The leopards are threatened by poaching, depletion of their prey base due to poaching, human disturbance such as presence of military and training of troops in border areas, habitat loss due to deforestation, fire, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure development.[9]
In Iran, primary threats are habitat disturbances followed by illegal hunting and excess of livestock in the leopard habitats.
The leopards' chances for survival outside protected areas appear very slim.[22]"
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Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!
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5 comments:
What I don’t understand is how you’re not even more popular than you are now. You’re just so intelligent. You know so much about this subject, made me think about it from so many different angles. It’s like people aren’t interested unless it has something to do with Lady Gaga! Your stuff is great. Keep it up!
Such beautiful cats. So sad to hear about how they are threatened.
They are really magnificent animals. I hadn't realised how widely they were distributed.
Wonderful cards, of lovely creatures. Imagine meeting one of those in the wild!
Beautiful postcards of the leopards - I really like the one that shows their footprints. I hope the species beats the odds and survives!
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