In an exciting development for wildlife conservation, three North China leopards—a subspecies peculiar to China—have been spotted twice in Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve, located in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. The sighting includes an adult female and two sub-adults, indicating potential family grouping and reproduction in the area.
The reserve’s staff discovered footage of the elusive big cats after collecting data from infrared cameras deployed throughout the forest. The leopards were first captured on camera on May 16, and just ten days later, they appeared again, providing valuable insights into their movements and habitat use.
The North China leopard is known for its impressive size, growing up to two meters in length and weighing around 70 kilograms. The presence of these leopards is a positive sign of the health of the local ecosystem, reflecting abundant prey and a well-preserved natural environment. Traces of this rare animal have been found in mountainous forests across north and northwest China, but sightings are exceptionally rare due to their stealthy nature and declining populations.
According to recent surveys, there are about ten North China leopards residing within the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve. Classified as a first-class national protected animal, the North China leopard is a critical species for biodiversity conservation efforts in the region.
The repeated sightings of these majestic creatures underscore the importance of continued conservation initiatives and habitat protection, offering hope for the revival of their population in the wild.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
