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Leopards at Ussuri Falls
Completed in February 2010, this new extensive expansion can be found opposite Medellin Monkeys and White Tiger Valley and has increased the size of the leopards’ current home.
As leopards are solitary in the wild, we have created separate enclosures for our male and female leopard which includes an area to mix them during breeding season, which is the only time in the wild that they would interact. This will be a much improved home incorporating more space in a natural environment, with lots of height and areas for climbing plus better viewing for our visitors! |
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A new training wall has also been fitted at the enclosure so that viewing of training sessions with the keepers and leopards can be observed. This will enable you to see how Colchester Zoo’s training techniques are used to enrich our animals’ lives and aid vital research that is helping conservationists to protect this animal in the wild. The enclosure will become home to Dende and Milena until Sayan, our new arrival, completes his quarantine period. The whole project has cost over £100,000!!
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Milena the female Amur leopard has been given access to the new exhibit at Ussuri Falls and after having visible access to her new enclosure within a few days beforehand, took just a few minutes to venture in!
Amur leopards are one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world, with less than 50 left in the wild. They are hunted for their thick coats and for their bones for the Traditional Chinese Medicine trade. They are also losing much of their habitat and are being killed by farmers when they turn to livestock to find food.
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The Amur Leopard is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, with population estimated to be only 30 – 50 individuals in the wild.
Amur leopards face a number of threats. They are hunted for their fur and for use in traditional Chinese medicines and their habitat is also being destroyed, causing a depletion in their prey.
They will then hunt domestic livestock and as a result are often shot at by farmers. Their small population size also puts them at risk from catastrophes such as fire, disease and inbreeding problems.
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