Tengrinews.kz – The Ustyurt State Nature Reserve continues to surprise, at this time camera traps captured one of the world’s most elusive predators.
Between October 29 and December 21, 2024, camera traps set up under an international conservation program recorded the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) four times. The latest data confirms that Ustyurt is not just a harsh desert, but an important habitat for this endangered species.
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Today, the reserve’s Instagram account reported a fifth sighting of this wild leopard listed in the Red Book.
The Ustyurt Reserve has proven itself as one of the key areas for preserving one of the rarest big cats. Monitoring of the leopard population continues as part of the national environmental protection program.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) is one of the rarest and least-studied leopard subspecies, and a recognized member of the feline family.
This subspecies is among the largest of all leopards. Its body can reach up to 183 cm in length, with a tail up to 116 cm. Males typically weigh 25 to 50 kg, while females average around 30 kg. In winter, their coat becomes very light—ranging from grayish ochre to almost white, sometimes with a slight reddish tint. The spots on their fur are sparse and faint, often with a brownish hue, helping them blend seamlessly into snow-covered mountains.