Anatolian Leopard
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The Anatolian Leopard, Panthera pardus tulliana, is a subspecies of leopard. It is not known whether any Anatolian Leopards still exist in the wild.
Contents
Distribution/Physical Features
Anatolian Leopards at one time thrived in the forests and hill regions of Aegean, West Mediterranean, East Mediterranean, and East Anatolia. Adults grow from 200-250 cm long and may weigh up to 70 kg; their lifespan is approximately 20 years.Diet
In the wild, the leopard's prey consists of wild ungulates, which include deer, chamois, mountain goats, and occasionally wild boar and birds as well as domestic livestock.Sightings
The last official sighting of the Anatolian leopard was in 1974. That animal was killed after an attack to a woman in Bagozu village, 5 km. from Beypazari. Although some scientists have suggested that the species has since become extinct, others have suggested that there are still between 10-15 Anatolian Leopards in the wilds of Anatolia, Turkey. In 2001, the animal had allegedly been spotted around the Dandi region in the eastern Mediterranean, and around Musikli Brook in the eastern Black Sea. Another sighting of the animal in Pokut Plateau, on the eastern Black Sea, was reported in 2004.Cause For Decline
It is thought that extensive trophy hunting is the principal factor in the decline and possible extinction of the Anatolian Leopard. One hunter, Mantolu Hasan, singlehandedly killed at least fifteen of the animals, possibly as many as fifty.
Trivia
A GNU/Linux distribution in Turkey, Pardus, is named after the Anatolian Leopard. It is highly popular locally.References
- Cat Specialist Group (1996). [Panthera pardus ssp. tulliana]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this subspecies is critically endangered and the criteria used
External Links
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