Increase funding for reintroduction of leopard in the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve !

Until the nineteenth century, the leopard was widespread in the Caucasus, but due to increased extinction in the late XIX - early XX centuries, their numbers severely reduced, in some places it disappeared completely. The main reasons were the direct reduction of the destruction, and depletion of food resources and habitats extinction. A study conducted in 2004-2005. showed that the total number of leopards in the region is only a few dozen individuals. In Azerbaijan, lives only 10-13 animals in Armenia - 10-13, in Georgia - less than 5, in Russia - 10-15. In Russia leopard preserved only in remote regions of Dagestan. The area of ​​its highly dissected, and the population is supported largely by the influx of individuals from Northern Iran.

It has long been the Caucasian leopard or scientifically leopard is registered in the national Red Data Book. But it seems that all goes to the fact that soon the beast will change residence: discharged from the Red Book ... to be registered in the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, and then across the Caucasus.

Here are the links:
 http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?uNewsID=174841
http://www.wwf.ru/resources/news/article/eng/10307

Leopard or more familiar to our ears the Caucasian leopard returns home. In the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve project back into the wild leopard has entered its final stage. In late July, the expedition visited the reserve, composed of representatives of the World Wildlife Fund, the Academy of Sciences of Russia, donor agencies.

According to Professor A. Kudaktin, on this site was conducted regular censuses of wild animals and isolated border temporary overexposure aviary, where the first settlers will take to adapt to life in the wild. In the near future is expected device enclosure.

"This is the last stage, after which the Caucasian Reserve will be fully ready to receive leopards probable ancestors who lived here 100 years ago. Returning to the nature of the leopard will be another important contribution of the Caucasian Reserve in biodiversity of the Caucasus" - concluded A. Kudaktin.

In Dagestan (as of 1997), the number of leopard was estimated at 10 individuals or 2-3 couples. In 2006, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia approved the "Recovery Program (reintroduction) of leopard in the Caucasus", created by WWF in cooperation with Russian Academy of Sciences. The program involves the creation of a breeding group of leopard breeding center and rehabilitation on the basis of the Sochi National Park, followed by the release of the adapted seed in the Caucasus Nature Reserve in the framework of the program in September 2009 in the enclosures of the Sochi national park housed two male leopard brought from Turkmenistan, and in April 2010 in Sochi came two females from Iran, is also captured in the wild.

The total population of this subspecies of leopard as a whole is estimated at 870-1300 individuals. Iran is home to about 550-850 individuals, Afghanistan - 200-300, Turkmenistan - 90-100, Azerbaijan - 10-13, 10-13 in Armenia, Georgia - less than 5, in Turkey - less than.

The subspecies is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES (CITES). In all the states on whose territory inhabited danyny subspecies, it is protected. The Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, it is listed under the name of Panthera pardus ciscaucasica as a threatened species and assigned to one category.

An urgent need to increase the resources for the early reintroduction of the leopard in the Caucasus. Thence leopard scattered across the Caucasus and not only in Russia but also in the neighboring countries of the region!

That's why all not indifferent people should sign !
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