Maryland Zoo: Amur Leopard

The Maryland Zoo does not feature animals from Australia, Asia or South America.  We are a mid-sized zoo and we do our best to do our best by the area we have and the regions we feature (Maryland, Arctic Regions, Africa and a Global Farm).  For many years in the heart of the African Journey resided a wonderful African Leopard named Hobbes.  African Leopards are not an endangered species, however, other species are.  Among the most endangered of all Leopard species are the Amur Leopards of the border region between China, Russia and North Korea.  Responsible estimates place the wild population at just 50 animals.  Biologists consider a number of 350 a minimum for sustainable genetic bio-diversity.  The work to save this species is of critical importance to the AZA and a priority of their many SSP (Species Survival Plans).

To that end, in December of 2014, Sofiya was transferred to the Maryland Zoo from the Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut.  She was born at St. Louis Zoo in 2008.  Once she reached the age of maturity, she was transferred to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana, and then to Beardsley Zoo.  In both transfers, it was hoped that she would make a "love" connection.  In both she eschewed her male suitors in no uncertain terms.  Deemed an unlikely breeder, she became a companion animal to Hobbes, who was past his breeding potential.  Hobbes lived to an incredible age of 22!  Most leopard, even in captivity only reach 17 or 18 if they are lucky. 

Sofiya is a precious creature.  She holds within her the potential to save her species from vanishing.  She is completely unaware of this burden, and indifferent to mating.  What are you gonna do?  It's one of the reasons that she was transferred to our zoo.  And so, in spite of her predisposition to avoid intercourse, she has been trained to participate in AI--artificial insemination.  This is a practice that has proven successful with other large cats.  It is also very expensive, and nearly impossible to get right.  When is a Amur Leopard in ovulation?  For the past couple of years now, Sofiya has been part of an AI protocol.  An unsuccessful protocol.  At 12, her window to motherhood is closing fast.  No matter how significant a litter would be, there would be no safe reason to pursue it for her beyond her 14 year, and only then if her general health remains hale.

What ever comes, by sometime this autumn, she will have a new and upgraded habitat in which to enjoy her days.  A new climbing "gym" based around the trunk of an existing ancient White Oak and using boughs from the tree has been assemble.  All the unnatural structures have been removed.  A trench and pit has been dug for the placement of a natural water feature.  The holding building behind the existing rock feature has been replaced and expanded.  Much work remains to be done, and I am excited to see the finished habitat.