Leopard (Panthera pardus) Fact Sheet: Managed Care

Long history of leopards in managed care

• 5,000+ year history of humans keeping leopards (Turnbull-Kemp 1967)

Populations within European (EAZA) zoos

• Provide care for 5 subspecies (as of 2005)
  • P. p. japonensis, kotiya, nimr, orientalis, and saxicolor (Houssaye and Budd 2009)

Current population size

• North American (AZA) institutions
  • 106 individuals housed in 47 institutions, current as of August 2012 (AZA 2012)

Management programs

• Amur leopard (P. p. orientalis) management program
  • Captive breeding programs at several AZA zoos help safeguard against extinction of this subspecies
    • 48 individuals identified as suitable for an Amur breeding program
    • Zoos in Europe and North America coordinate breeding programs for the critically endangered Amur leopard
  • History of success
    • 2009-2011: 12 births; 5 males and 9 females

Amur leopards are critically endangered. 

With fewer than c. 85 adults surviving in the wild, populations in managed care settings serve as a vital resource to ensure the survival of this rare subspecies.

These programs safeguard the unique genetic makeup of Amur leopards and provide a potential source population for reintroducing individuals back into the wild.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

AZA (2012)
Houssaye and Budd (2009)
Turnbull-Kemp (1967)