Rare Persian leopards that are now living in the first specialized Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Center will be released into the wild forest reserves near Sochi, according to the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
At the end of June, reserve officials and scientists together with representatives from the World Wildlife Fund chose a site for the construction of a temporary open-air cage.
“After the direct study of landscapes and fauna of the area, about three or four hectares of natural forest area will be allocated according to the program. After it is fenced, we will be able to set the date when we will release a leopard into the wild,” said in the statement of the reserve.
The next important stage in the project is to restore the leopard population in the North Caucasus.
“The leopard is a beautiful and a graceful animal representing the spirit of the Caucasus. Less than 100 years ago it prospered in this territory. And now we are doing everything for this animal to change its status from the endangered species list to the Caucasian Reserve,” said in the statement.
The Persian leopard, which inhabits Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, was entered into the Red Book of endangered species in 2001. According to the World Wildlife Fund, only a few dozen leopards remain in the Caucasus.