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This subspecies of leopard is one of the most endangered taxa
of any species on earth. It is considered to be endangered by
the USFWS, critically endangered by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group
and is threatened primarily by habitat loss and fragmentation.
It is protected from trade under CITES Appendix I regulations.
Overall, there are thought to be 30-50 Amur leopards remaining
in the wild. Exciting news is the potential for a release project
within its former range if studies suggest that the habitat can
support this and another large felid, the Amur tiger. This year,
25 of the 30 holders of Amur leopards including the Minnesota
Zoo contributed a total of $13,500 for in situ censusing
of Amur leopards in the wild to determine current population numbers
and the potential for continued viability of the current wild
population.
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