Russia

In honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the baby animal of the week is the Amur leopard.

Considered to be one of the most critically endangered animals in the world (35 remaining in the wild), these leopard cubs are a very important part of their life cycle. Known and hunted for their rare fur, the Amur leopard are different from the other 9 species of leopards. Unlike most species, this leopard is found in the mountains and cold temperatures of Russia.

As nocturnal animals, Amur leopards are usually solitary. However, when males find their "perfect match" and mate with a  female, they are known to stick around and fight for their woman. When they do have cubs, litters usually range from 1 to 4 little ones. These leopard cubs are weaned at around 3 months of age and usually leave Mom and Dad after about 2 years.

Once they're on their own, Amur leopards are known to live between 10-15 years in the wild. Their short life spans are due to 3 major things: habitat loss, prey scarcity and poaching. Between 1970-1983 it is estimated that 80% of the Amur leopard's territory was lost because of logging, forest fires and land conversion for farming. Prey throughout the leopard's habitat is insufficient to sustain a high population. Poaching is the largest problem for the leopards. Poachers are trapping and killing these animals and selling their fur for thousands of dollars.

So what can we do to help?
The WWF is allowing supporters to "adopt" an Amur leopard to help their work to secure the leopard's habitat, establish anti-poaching teams and develop environmental education programs that showcase the animals importance. http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/Default.aspx


Go visit some Amur leopards nearby at the St. Louis zoo!!