On May 2, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin released one of two female leopards, gifts from Iran, into an enclosure at the Sochi national park.
On May 2, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin released one of two female leopards, gifts from Iran, into an enclosure at the Sochi national park.
Only one leopard has been released into the enclosure so far because the other animal fell ill and is now in quarantine.
Though it was ill, this did not prevent it from demonstrating powerful animal instincts.
The representatives of this rare animal species, which do not yet have names, will take part in a program to restore the leopard population in the North Caucasus.
The first Russian center for breeding and rehabilitating the Persian leopards has already hosted two male leopards, named General and Alous. According to the park’s spokesperson, the animals, which have been so far held in separate enclosures, will soon get acquainted with each other. At first they will have to get used to one another and find a “common language” through the net and the fence.
Putin was told that the “northern core” of the Persian leopards is planned to be created over the next 10-15 years and cubs born in captivity would form the basis of the population.
The Persian leopard, which inhabits Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, has been entered into the Red Book of endangered species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, only a few dozen leopards remain in the Caucasus.
