Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance's reintroduction program

Update readers on the 'Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance's' reintroduction program...

...In Russia's far east of the critically endangered Amur Leopard, ALTA is doing everything they can to save this noble beast for generations to come. I am a long-term supporter and contribute in a small way to this, most worthiest of causes. For more details & donations, here is a link to their site: 

http://www.altaconservation.org/amur-leopard/amur-leopard-reintroduction/

There are thought to be just 35 wild Amur Leopards in Russia's far east. Each year ALTA conducts a census of Leopards using camera's to photograph as many leopards as possible. The Amur Tiger (also known as the Siberian Tiger) is also facing similar problems and likely extinction, unless poaching and habitat loss is stopped immediately - unlikely as demand from China for tiger parts is increasing.

Recently known amur leopards are still living and thriving in the wilds of Russia, despite all the odds stacked against them from poaching, habitat loss, forest fires, inbreeding and other problems. 

The WCS's 2011 camera monitoring survey took 156 photo's including this nice picture of a very unique individual that I'm nicknaming 'Bobtail the Amur Leopard' thanks to ALTA & ZSL (Zoological Society of London) for the photo from their website (see link above). It's possible that another leopard damaged  his tail as a cub or in an adult fight:

Interestingly Bobtail has been identified as Pp16 by the scientists. There was 17 leopards in total identified (presumably Pp01 to Pp17), though only 2 of these were cubs. As males have a greater range it's also likely that more males than females were 'camera trapped'.

Camera traps have been able to capture photos of the ultra rare wild amur leopards, whose spots are unique to each individual. In 2010 there were 12 identifiable leopards (from 63 photos); 9 identifiable leopards were photoed in 2009 (though another 72 other photos could not identify the sepcific leopard); 8 identifiable leopards were photoed in 2008; 13 identifiable leopards were photographed in 2007.

With continued support the leopards can return to this protected area in Russia, as the region has a plentiful supply of food for these rare leopards. There are also plans to reintroduce some cubs from the Amur Leopards kept in zoo's throughout USA, Europe and Russia. In other parts of the world, the leopard who is supremely adaptable to all climates has lived beside humans, despite all the odds against this. In our lifetime we should see this amazing creature take it's rightful place in this cold, hard land that has been home to leopards for millenia.

Did you know these things about cats & kittens?

Interesting facts about cats & their kittens:

• Cats usually have 5 toes on both their front paws but only 4 toes on their back paws. Cat's with more are called 'polydactyl'.
• Cat's hearing is so good, that the ultrasonic sounds mice make can be heard by them. Often when you call them from far away they will hear - try shaking their cat crunchies and see how quick they return!
• Cats sleep for 66% of their day.
• A group of cats is called a “clowder”
• Cats cannot taste 'sweet' instead they have a range of bitter taste's which help detect if food is safe to eat.
• 'Schrödinger's cat' is a thought experiment, devised by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 and recently made famous by a top US sitcom.
• Cat's do not have a collar bone.
• In 1963, a cat named Felicette travelled into outer space.
• Usually a cat's eye-sight is fantastic. At night they can see better than most creatures, with  superb peripheral vision.
• If a cat's tail shakes near you it means they love you. Cat's emotions are similar to human's. Also they will know when you are speaking lovingly to them or if you are yelling at them. Your cat will not care if he/she gets into trouble though as they cannot understand.
• Cats perspire through their paws.
• One cat reached 36 years old back in 1939. An English cat named Puss. Some exceptional cat's can reach 17 or even 20 years old - let us know how old your cat is.