Amur Leopards
at Audubon Zoo
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Meet the Amur Leopard
Amur Leopard Facts
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
🌍 Found only in the Russian Far East, Amur leopards are adapted to cold climates with thick fur and long legs for walking through snow.
🖤 Each leopard's spot pattern is unique, helping researchers identify individuals for monitoring and conservation.
🤝 Conservation alliances are key—13 international organizations are working together to save this species from extinction.
🌙 Nocturnal and elusive, these cats primarily hunt at night and are rarely seen in the wild.
🐇 Diet: Carnivorous—feeds on roe deer, hares, and other small mammals.
⚖️ Size & Weight: Males weigh 70–105 lbs; females weigh 55–95 lbs.
⏳ Lifespan: 10–15 years in the wild; up to 20 years in human care.
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Lives at Audubon Zoo
Amur Leopard Behavior
Amur leopards, one of the rarest big cats on Earth, are a remarkable subspecies of leopard, specially adapted to the harsh, snowy climates of northeast Asia. These extraordinary cats inhabit the forests of far eastern Russia, sharing their range with Siberian tigers. Unlike other leopards, Amur leopards have longer legs to help them navigate deep snow, and their fur grows long and thick in winter, providing crucial warmth and insulation.
Amur leopards are incredibly elusive, solitary cats known for their stealth and agility. They are most active at night and spend much of their time patrolling vast, rugged territories.
They are strong climbers and capable swimmers, and can reach speeds up to 37 miles per hour in short bursts. Their keen senses and powerful limbs make them excellent hunters, capable of silently stalking prey through snow-covered terrain.
Amur Leopard Eating Habits
Amur leopards are solitary carnivores with highly specialized hunting strategies. They primarily prey on roe deer, sika deer, wild boar, and smaller animals such as hares and rodents. Once they catch their prey, they often drag it to a secluded spot—or up into a tree—to eat in peace and avoid scavengers. Their low population density and secretive nature make direct observations rare, but camera traps and scat analysis have helped scientists better understand their diet and hunting patterns.
Amur Leopard Range
The Amur leopard's natural range once extended across Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. Today, their wild population is restricted to a small area near the border of eastern Russia and China, in remote forested mountains. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and reconnect this fragmented habitat.
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Amur Leopard Conservation Efforts
With fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild, the Amur leopard is one of the most endangered big cats on Earth. Zoos play a vital role in preserving genetic diversity, housing about 300 individuals globally. Efforts to protect the species include habitat preservation, anti-poaching patrols, and the use of camera traps for monitoring. Conservationists are also developing reintroduction plans to return captive-born leopards to protected reserves. Ongoing threats include illegal hunting, habitat loss from logging and development, and disease transmission from domestic animals.
