EcoLur
The first release of the Caucasian leopard into the wild is planned in the spring-winter of 2016 in the area of Caucasian State Nature Biosphere Reserve.
In 2008-2009 the Center for Breeding and Rehabilitation of the Caucasian Leopard was opened on the basis of Sochi National Park. The first inhabitants of the Center were two male leopards caught in Turkmenistan. In 2010 to female leopards caught in Iran were transported to Sochi. In 2012 a couple of leopards was brought to Sochi from Lisbon Zoo.
“The aim of our project is very ambitious, as it’s rather hard to return lost population,” said Valery Shmunk, Head of “Russian Caucasus” Regional Division in his interview with EcoLur. Currently the number of animals living in the center is 13. Their posterity, three young animals, will be released into the wild. “From our viewpoint, the presence of the leopard in the wild nature reflects the extent of ecosystem prosperity,” Valery Shmunk noted.
In his opinion, around 35-45 leopards may appear in the wild nature by 2025-2030.
December 23, 2015 at 11:00