WWF CONTINUES LEOPARD PROTECTION PROJECT IN SYUNIK

Armenpress
Sept 5, 2005

KAPAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Traces of three out of 10-12 leopards
believed to live in Armenian forests are recorded in the southern
province of Syunik. The total number of leopards in the South Caucasus
is 20-24, with another 10-12 in Azerbaijan. The number of leopards
in the conflict zone of the district of Karabakh is estimated as 5-7
leopards according to the data provided by hunters.

Another habitat of the leopard in Armenia is Khosrov Reserve located in
the central part of Armenia. This is a small territory and traces of
leopard viability are the evidence for the extinction of this group,
but still being remained at the expense of high number of bezoar goat
(Capra aegagrus) in some of the gorges and relatively lower presence
of man in the mountains.

The leopard is included in the Red Data Book of Rare and Endangered
Species (Red Book) in all countries of this region and in the UNEP-WCMC
Database on Threatened Animals of the World.

It has been three years since the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) started
a special project for protection of leopards in Armenia. The leopard
was thought to have disappeared from the region in the 1960s, but
absence of special surveys until the end of 20th century did not
allow to exactly evaluate the leopard condition in the Ecoregion.

Recent rapid investigation conducted through WWF initial support in
2001 has shown that about 20 individuals of leopard has survived
in the Southern Caucasus Nevertheless, situation with the leopard
population in the Caucasus is critical, which is caused by the
continuation of over hunting of ungulates (bezoar goat, roe deer,
wild boar, etc.) – primary prey species, and poaching of the leopard
itself. The long-term goal of this project is conservation of the
Caucasus leopard in its historical range in the Ecoregion. As a result
valuable leopard habitat and protected migratory routes were set up.

As part of this project Shikahogh preserve in Syunik was given two
four-wheel cars to watch the animals, special anti-poaching groups of
local residents were established and cameras were set up at different
parts of the preserve to take pictures.