panda.org
6 Apr 2005
pe/news/news.cfm?uNewsID=19571
First ever leopard “captured” in Armenia
On March 9, 2005 at 1:54 a.m. one of the four camera traps set by
the Armenian scientists reacted to the Caucasian leopard on Armenia’s
Megri ridge.
This is the first case of a leopard being depicted in its natural
habitat in this country.
Karen Manvelyan – WWF Caucasus Armenian Office’s director is convinced
that thanks to WWF’s almost three-year involvement in the Leopard
Conservation Project, this animal has now settled in this area.
“Our work here has convinced us that there must be around 5-7 examples
of these fantastic cats in this area and we are doing our best to
protect their privacy.”
Based on the considerable size of the animal the experts assume that
it should be a male, but there have also been other conjectures.
According to Igor Khorosian, an independent expert, the leopard’s
swollen belly suggests it could be female.
“Mating of leopards in the Caucasus occurs in January and my field
companion, who was tracking the animal, heard its rasping calls and
later found many signs that proved mating behaviour. So it is quite
possible that our leopard is female and it is pregnant.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Karen Manvelyan
Director, Armenian Office
WWF Caucasus Programme
[email protected]