Human encroachment on their habitat is one of the main threats to their survival.
Human encroachment on their habitat is one of the main threats to their survival.
These are the first images of an endangered Sri Lankan leopard cub playing with its mother.
The pair were filmed by the CERZA animal park in Hermival-les-Vaux, France.
There are only 900 to 1,000 adult members of the species left in the wild, and just 90 Sri Lankan leopards in captivity in 30 animal parks around the world, according to Frederic Houssaye, European and global coordinator at the park’s Conservation and Education Department.
In these images, the cub, which was born on April 19, is seen playing with its mother, Wallawe, who appears tolerant of her offsrping’s antics. The cub’s father, Lenn, is also at CERZA.
Houssaye said his work “consists of the overall management of the breeding program in order to guarantee good demography and good genetics of the captive population.”
The veterinarian staff plans to name the male cub soon.
Malorie Plaisance, the park’s press officer, said the zoo, which boasts “1,500 animals over 78 hectares (193 acres)” is a member of numerous European and global conservation initiatives, including the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, which brings together over 340 organizations in 41 countries to operate the European Endangered Species program, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sri Lankan leopards are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of Endangered Species.
Human encroachment on the leopards’ habitat is one of the main threats to their survival. Many are also killed by farmers protecting their livestock.
Houssaye said the goal is to maintain at least 90 percent of the genetic diversity of the species for 100 years. This includes 23 years of management by humans, with animal parks and zoos collaborating to ensure the species’ survival and genetic viability,
He said that 2020 was scarred by a record number of “human-induced leopard deaths,” with 14 individuals killed.
“An important cause of death is the use of snares. It appears to be an increasing trend,” he said.
He cited the pandemic as a possible culprit. “People are more likely to hunt for food because with a lockdown, they cannot work and afford normal food supplies.”
(Edited by Fern Siegel and Judith Isacoff)
