Amur Leopard Research Articles

Unveiling the Secrets: How Landscape Patterns Shape Habitat Quality in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park

The Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park (NCTLNP) is a critical habitat for the endangered Amur tiger and Amur leopard, making it a global biodiversity hotspot. This study explores how changes in landscape patterns have influenced habitat quality in the park, aiming to develop strategies for enhancing biodiversity conservation and ensuring the park’s long-term sustainability. From 2012 to 2017, habitat quality in the NCTLNP experienced a significant decline; however, the launch of the national park pilot program in 2017 resulted in improvements, particularly in core protected areas, where habitat quality increased and landscape fragmentation decreased. These findings indicate that the national park initiative reduced the degradation of habitat quality. Key landscape metrics, especially the Shannon Diversity Index (SHDI), were found to significantly affect habitat quality. Additionally, the interaction between SHDI and landscape contagion (CONTAG) played a pivotal role in shaping habitat quality over time. Areas with high SHDI and low CONTAG showed declines in habitat quality, pointing to the need for focused conservation efforts. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to improve habitat quality through targeted landscape management practices.

Novel Empress SARANI Optimization Algorithm to solve the Electrical Energy -Active Power Loss Reduction and Voltage Stability Enhancement

; This paper proposes Pomarine jaeger Optimization (PJO) algorithm, Tiger hunting Optimization (THO) Algorithm, Desert Reynard and Vixen Inspired Optimization (DRVIO) Algorithm, Lonchodidae optimization (LO) algorithm, Caracal optimization (CO) algorithm, Barasingha optimization (BO) algorithm, Amur leopard optimization (AO) algorithm and Empress SARANI Optimization Algorithm to solve the active power loss reduction problem. Regular actions of Pomarine jaeger have been emulated to model the PJO procedure. In THO algorithm, how the Tiger moves to capture the prey is imitated and formulated. In DRVIO algorithm, Desert Reynard and Vixen burrowing capability and spurt tactic from desolate slayers are imitated to formulate the algorithm. LO algorithm emulates the physiognomies of convergent progression, track reliance, populace development and rivalry in the growth of the Lonchodidae populace in environment. In CO approach, Caracal assaults the designated quarry and then quests the quarry in a dashing procedure. BO algorithm stimulated by the Barasingha existence capability in the slayer subjugated atmosphere. AO algorithm imitates the Amur leopard behaviour. Movement paths, stalking, breeding and death are the some phases in the Amur leopard life cycle. Empress SARANI Optimization Algorithm is designed by integrating Parastylotermes Empress inspired optimization (PEIO) algorithm, Dryocopus martius optimization (DMO) algorithm, Ostrya Carpinifolia Search Optimization (OCSO) Algorithm, Hermitage Activities Inspired optimization (HAIO) algorithm with SARANI algorithm. Validity of Empress SARANI Optimization Algorithm is verified in 24 benchmark functions, IEEE and Practical systems. Real power loss (MW) obtained by projected algorithms for IEEE 57 bus system is PJO-21.99, THO-22.79, DRVIO-21.79, LO-23.16, CO-23.92, BO-22.81, AO- 24.89 and Empress SARANI- 20.91. For IEEE 300 bus system is PJO-395.153, THO-397.398, DRVIO-394.208, LO-398.192, CO-398.397, BO-395.209, AO-399.884 and Empress SARANI-389.217. For IEEE 354 bus system is PJO-336.108, THO-339.563, DRVIO-339.099, LO-340.164, CO-340.592, BO 338.906, AO-342.184 and Empress SARANI-334.098. For practical system - WDN 220 KV is PJO-29. 008, THO-30. 929, DRVIO-28. 519, LO-31.265, CO-31. 893, BO-29.872, AO-32.899, Empress SARANI-26.101

Human activities reshape the spatial overlap between North Chinese leopard and its wild ungulate prey

BackgroundRapidly expanding human activities have profoundly changed the habitat use of both large carnivores and their prey, but whether and how human activities affect the interactions between them has received relatively less attention. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on an endangered large carnivore (North Chinese leopard Panthera pardus japonensis) and its wild ungulate prey (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus and wild boar Sus scrofa) in the Taihang Mountains of central North China. Using conditional two-species occupancy model based on data derived from the extensive sampling effort (15,654 camera-days at 102 camera sites), we examined the relationship of spatial use between leopards and each prey species under the effects of human presence, free-ranging cattle, roads and settlements.ResultsHumans and cattle had contrasting effects on the relationship of spatial use between leopard and roe deer, with higher and lower spatial segregation between them at human and cattle-frequented sites, respectively. Roads might create a shelter for wild boar from leopard predation, with less spatial segregation between them at sites close to the roads.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that human activities are reshaping the spatial overlap between large carnivores and their prey, and have non-equivalent effects among different types of human activity. Such effects may further alter the strength of interspecific interactions between predator and prey, with far-reaching influences on the community and ecosystem that require more research.

Spatial population distribution dynamics of big cats and ungulates with seasonal and disturbance changes in temperate natural forest

Wildlife conservation and management in human-dominated landscapes are major concerns for wildlife ecologists and managers. The dynamics of human disturbance, combined with seasonal limitations in the availability of nutritious foods, may restrict wildlife population growth and recovery. However, understanding how large mammal species adjust their population distribution in forest habitats with seasonal changes in food and disturbances requires a deeper and more extensive analysis. In this study, we found that three ungulate species, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and wild boar (Sus scrofa), employ robust, conservative, and flexible distribution strategies, respectively, to adapt to the effects of seasonal changes and human disturbances. Moreover, croplands, villages, and grazing have some negative effects on the distribution of roe deer and sika deer, while wild boar can be highly abundant near human land use. Additionally, roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar are also affected by the abundance of shrub species they consume. During the cold season, the populations of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis) were primarily located near roads and dense forests, respectively. In the warm season, the distribution of both big cats was influenced by prey abundance, and Amur tigers also avoided grazing livestock. Nevertheless, the negative effects of human land use on Amur tigers and wild boars increased during the warm season, which was attributed to more frequent human activities during that time. Consequently, it is crucial to implement season-specific habitat management, particularly by regulating human disturbances during the warm season, in order to promote the recovery and expansion of populations of big cats and ungulates.

Whole-genome analysis of Escherichia coli isolated from wild Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis).

Escherichia coli is an important intestinal flora, of which pathogenic E. coli is capable of causing many enteric and extra-intestinal diseases. Antibiotics are essential for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by pathogenic E. coli; however, with the widespread use of antibiotics, drug resistance in E. coli has become particularly serious, posing a global threat to human, animal, and environmental health. While the drug resistance and pathogenicity of E. coli carried by tigers and leopards in captivity have been studied intensively in recent years, there is an extreme lack of information on E. coli in these top predators in the wild environment. Whole genome sequencing data of 32 E. coli strains collected from the feces of wild Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica, n = 24) and North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis, n = 8) were analyzed in this article. The multi-locus sequence types, serotypes, virulence and resistance genotypes, plasmid replicon types, and core genomic SNPs phylogeny of these isolates were studied. Additionally, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed on these E. coli isolates. Among the E. coli isolates studied, 18 different sequence types were identified, with ST939 (21.9%), ST10 (15.6%), and ST3246 (9.4%) being the most prevalent. A total of 111 virulence genes were detected, averaging about 54 virulence genes per sample. They contribute to invasion, adherence, immune evasion, efflux pump, toxin, motility, stress adaption, and other virulence-related functions of E. coli. Sixty-eight AMR genes and point mutations were identified. Among the detected resistance genes, those belonging to the efflux pump family were the most abundant. Thirty-two E. coli isolates showed the highest rate of resistance to tetracycline (14/32; 43.8%), followed by imipenem (4/32; 12.5%), ciprofloxacin (3/32; 9.4%), doxycycline (2/32; 6.3%), and norfloxacin (1/32; 3.1%). Our results suggest that E. coli isolates carried by wild Amur tigers and North China leopards have potential pathogenicity and drug resistance.

Transboundary Cooperation in the Tumen River Basin Is the Key to Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus) Population Recovery in the Korean Peninsula.

The interconnected forest regions along the lower Tumen River, at the Sino-North Korean border, provide critical habitats and corridors for the critically endangered Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). In this region, there are two promising corridors for leopard movement between China and North Korea: the Jingxin-Dapanling (JD) and Mijiang (MJ) corridors. Past studies have confirmed the functionality of the JD corridor, but leopards' utilization of the MJ corridor has not yet been established or confirmed. In this study, we assessed the functionality of the MJ corridor. The study area was monitored using camera traps between May 2019 and July 2021. We also analyzed 33 environmental and vegetation factors affecting leopard survival and analyzed leopard movement. In the Mijiang area, the Amur leopard was mainly active in the region adjacent to the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park and did not venture into area near the North Korean border. The complex forest structure allowed leopards to move into the Mijiang area. However, the high intensity of human disturbance and manufactured physical barriers restricted further southward movement. Therefore, human-induced disturbances such as grazing, mining, farming, logging, and infrastructure development must be halted and reversed to make the Mijiang region a functional corridor for the Amur leopard to reach the North Korean forest. This necessitates inter-governmental and international cooperation and is essential for the long-term survival of the Amur leopard.

Habitat accessibility and snares impact large cats and their prey in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, China

Snares have become a widespread hunting technique, with their indiscriminate nature jeopardizing terrestrial large carnivores. Since the lack of reliable data on snare distribution hampers an accurate evaluation of the potential risk. Continuous winter SMART (the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) patrols have operated in the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) ranges in northeast China from 2013 to 2020 to record wildlife occurrences and remove snares. Our research aimed to assess the snares threat pose in the Amur tiger range and whether snare removal benefited roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) recovery. We modeled the spatial distribution of Amur tigers, Amur leopards, and prey species, comparing their distributions before and after anti-poaching measures. We also assessed the overlap between Amur tigers, Amur leopards, and snare locations. Additionally, we used the MaxEnt model to predict snare distribution, and then we analyzed the overlap of snares with species at different periods between 2013 and 2015 and 2018–2020.Our results showed that the probability of occurrence of ungulates increased significantly around roads after snares were removed. Furthermore, we found that Amur tigers and Amur leopards distribution overlapped with snare locations suggesting that snares pose a serious risk to these non-target species. The overlap between snares and species has the same trend as the growing with species distribution, and the least significant increase is in DHZ-XNC.Removing snares not only aids target game species but also protects sympatric large carnivores.

Increase in the Abundance of the Amur Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura, Felidae, Carnivora) in the Southern Amur Region

Increase in the Abundance of the Amur Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura, Felidae, Carnivora) in the Southern Amur Region

GLOBAL RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME SARS COV-2 INFECTIONS IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS: MARCH 2020-FEBRUARY 2021.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in nondomestic felids have been documented in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Between March 2020 and February 2021, at nine institutions across three continents, infection was confirmed in 16 tigers (Panthera tigris), 14 lions (Panthera leo), three snow leopards (Panthera uncia), one cougar (Puma concolor), and one Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) ranging from 2 to 21 yr old (average, 10 yr). Infection was suspected in an additional 12 tigers, 4 lions, and 9 cougars. Clinical signs (in order of most to least common) included coughing, ocular and/or nasal discharge, wheezing, sneezing, decreased appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most felids recovered uneventfully, but one geriatric tiger with comorbidities developed severe dyspnea and neurologic signs necessitating euthanasia. Clinical signs lasted 1-19 d (average, 8 d); one tiger was asymptomatic. Infection was confirmed by various methods, including antigen tests and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasal or oral swabs, tracheal wash, and feces, or virus isolation from feces or tracheal wash. Infection status and resolution were determined by testing nasal swabs from awake animals, fecal PCR, and observation of clinical signs. Shedding of fecal viral RNA was significantly longer than duration of clinical signs. Postinfection seropositivity was confirmed by four institutions including 11 felids (5 lions, 6 tigers). In most instances, asymptomatic or presymptomatic keepers were the presumed or confirmed source of infection, although in some instances the infection source remains uncertain. Almost all infections occurred despite using cloth facemasks and disposable gloves when in proximity to the felids and during food preparation. Although transmission may have occurred during momentary lapses in personal protective equipment compliance, it seems probable that cloth masks are insufficient at preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to nondomestic felids. Surgical or higher grade masks may be warranted when working with nondomestic felids.

Relative abundance of Roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) related to overstory structure and understory food resources in Northeast China

Large herbivores are particularly susceptible to changes in quantity and quality of forage resources, in turn constraining populations of large and threatened carnivores. Key prey species for Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and leopards (P. pardus orientalis), Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) have a spatial distribution which is greatly influenced by habitat quality across topographic regions. In this study, we used 138 camera-trap stations to record the abundance and distribution of Siberian roe deer in the mountains (n=88) and valleys (n=50) of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, and we examined the impact of overstory structure and understory food resources on the relative abundance index (RAI) of the deer. We use generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with negative binomial distributions, with the response variable of RAI of either of deer on the mountain or in the valley. We included canopy cover (CC), tree richness (TR) and basal area (BA) from overstory structure and mass of shrub layer (SM), mass of grasses and sedges (GM), forbs mass (FoM), ferns mass (FeM) and understory mass (UM) from understory food as fixed effects. We found that RAI of roe deer was significantly higher for the mountain than the valley. For the mountain, BA, TR and FoM were found to have a significant positive effect on roe deer, while CC showed a negative effect. In the valley, BA had a significant positive effect on roe deer, while SM showed a negative effect. Roe deer appeared to trade-off overstory structure with understory food resources, especially BA and FoM, which may lead them to prefer mountains over valleys in the national park. These findings will assist in understanding the distribution of roe deer populations in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, and may suggest more effective conservation and management strategies for the forest ecosystems of Northeast China.

Gene Diversity of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I of the Far Eastern Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

Gene Diversity of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I of the Far Eastern Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

Gene Diversity of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I of the Far Eastern Leopard (<i>Panthera pardus orientalis</i>)

The study presents the status and diversity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes in the Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). 20 alleles of MHC genes were obtained from 11 samples in total, 19 alleles were described for the first time for the species. A high diversity of alleles is shown at the level of individuals as well as at the population level. Comparison of MHC gene polymorphism in leopard subspecies showed that the genetic diversity of the Far Eastern leopard is not lower and even possibly higher, than observed of the African and Indian subspecies. The high allelic diversity of the Far Eastern leopard genes is supported by the positive selection affecting on the antigen-binding region of the protein product they encrypt. It is concluded that the low abundance of the Far Eastern leopard has not yet led to irreparable losses in the genetic potential of the population.

Modern mammal fauna of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast and the Bastak Nature Reserve

Based on the literature and our own information, the most complete list of the modern theriofauna of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast was compiled, including 68 species and subspecies. Sixty species and subspecies are found in the Bastak Nature Reserve; 12 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of the region and two in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Four species are new for the fauna of the reserve (Amur hedgehog, spotted deer, domestic dog and cat). Another addition is the synanthropic subspecies of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus norvegicus). For the fi rst time, lists are given separately for the clusters of the reserve. Negative changes in the theriofauna of the JAO since the 1930s are described – introduction of eight alien species and subspecies and extinction of four native species and subspecies, three of which are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (Amur leopard, dhole, long-tailed goral).

INCREASE IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE AMUR LEOPARD CAT (<i>PRIONAILURUS BENGALENSIS EUPTILURA</i>, FELIDAE, CARNIVORA) IN THE SOUTHERN AMUR REGION

The Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura Elliot 1871) in the south of the Russian Far East mainly lives in flat and foothill landscapes, which have now been mostly transformed by man. The data were collected in 1987–2022 in the southern Amur region (the left bank of the Amur River in the south of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast (JAO) and the right bank of the Amur River (the right bank of the estuary of the Ussuri River), Khabarovsk Krai). Traces of cats and dead animals were recorded, and camera traps were used. The data of 4560 diaries of employees of the Department of protection of the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve, located in the research area, for 1964–2009 were used. Now on the left bank of the Amur River in the south of the JAO, the Amur leopard cat lives constantly, although in the 2010s it was believed that it rarely enters this territory. Number of sightings of cat tracks in the study area on the right bank of the Amur in 2011–2021 compared to the period 2000–2010 increased about two times. It has populated areas within the range where it has never been noted. The increase in the number and the process of settlement of the Amur leopard cat, both on the left bank and on the right bank of the Amur River began in the 2000s, and since the beginning of the 2010s it has been observed constantly. Currently, the cat lives sedentary in the southern Amur region, which is confirmed by the findings of its broods. The cat mainly lives on agricultural land, which is due to its ability to adapt well to anthropogenic changes in the habitat.

Assessment of population genetic diversity and genetic structure of the North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) in fragmented habitats of the Loess Plateau, China

Leopard (Panthera pardus) populations on the Chinese Loess Plateau have experienced severe declines and were once on the verge of extinction. Currently, leopards in the Loess Plateau region are mainly scattered in human-dominated fragmented habitats in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Ningxia. The lack of information on the genetic diversity and genetic structure makes difficult to assess the resistance and persistence of this metapopulation to various factors. In this study, we used mitochondrial ND-5 gene sequences and eight microsatellite loci to genetically analyze 97 faecal samples collected from three leopard ranges on the Loess Plateau of China. Among these samples, 62 feces were successfully identified from 22 individuals (6 females, 16 males). Mitochondrial haplotypes showed four different haplotypes and the genetic diversity was moderate (Hd = 0.331, Pi = 0.0036), while SSR showed high diversity (PIC = 0.673). STRUCTURE and TESS analyses revealed that leopard populations on the Loess Plateau appeared to have a distinct population boundary (K = 2) associated with a spatial-geographic barrier (the Yellow River). We estimate that the time of population divergence occurred between 8700 and 8300 years BP. Based on this research, we suggest that the leopard population on both sides of the Yellow River should be divided into two conservation management units to improve the efficiency of conservation management and contribute to the better recovery of the North Chinese leopard population.

Quality of cauda epididymal sperm immediately after collection and after freezing-thawing from Amur leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) and a local population of the subspecies Tsushima leopard cats.

In this study, cauda epididymal sperm were collected from Amur leopard cats with various causes of death as well as Tsushima leopard cats that underwent castration surgery, and sperm quality was compared with that in domestic cats. A sufficient number of sperm similar to those in domestic cats could be collected from the cauda epididymis of Amur leopard cats. However, in old leopard cats, no or very few cauda epididymal sperm were recovered, although there were no differences in sperm motility and sperm abnormality. There were no significant differences in sperm quality immediately after collection and after freezing-thawing of cauda epididymal sperm compared with corresponding estimates in domestic cats.

Rehabilitation of an Amur Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) with Complex Injury by a Road Accident

Rehabilitation of an Amur Leopard Cat (<i>Prionailurus bengalensis</i>) with Complex Injury by a Road Accident

Virome Profiling of an Amur leopard cat Reveals Multiple Anelloviruses and a Bocaparvovirus.

As a small top predator, Amur leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is widely distributed in northeast Asia and plays an important role in the control of small rodent populations and in the maintenance of ecological equilibrium. However, the viruses harbored by this creature have been rarely investigated. Here, we report the DNA and RNA eukaryotic virome profiling of an injured Amur leopard cat followed by PCR validation, which revealed diverse anelloviruses in multiple organs and a bocaparvovirus in the lymph, but no RNA viruses. These anelloviruses have diverse genomic structures and are classified into four phylogroups with viruses of various felines, while the bocaparvovirus is extremely similar to those recovered from diarrheal domestic cats, illustrating the transmission of the virus between domestic animals and wildlife. These data provide the first insight into the genetic diversity of Amur leopard cat viruses, highlighting the need for further investigation of wild animals.

Contributions of distemper control and habitat expansion to the Amur leopard viability

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is a critically endangered top predator that struggles on the brink of extinction due to threats such as canine distemper virus (CDV), habitat loss, and inbreeding depression. Here we develop a viability analysis metamodel that combines a traditional individual-based demographic model with an epidemiological model to assess the benefits of alternative population management actions in response to multiple distinct threats. Our results showed an extinction risk of 10.3%-99.9% if no management actions were taken over 100 years under different levels of inbreeding depression. Reducing the risk of CDV infection in Amur leopards through the low-coverage vaccination of leopards and the management of sympatric domestic dogs could effectively improve the survival probability of the leopard population, and with habitat expansion added to these management measures, the population expanded further. Our findings highlight that protecting the Amur leopard necessitates a multifaceted synergistic effort, and controlling multiple threats together may significantly escalate overall viability of a species, especially for small-isolated threatened population. More broadly, our modeling framework could offer critical perspectives and scientific support for conservation planning, as well as specific adaptive management actions for endangered species around the world.

Community attitudes towards Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and their prey species in Yanbian, Jilin province, a region of northeast China where tigers are returning.

Community attitudes towards large carnivores are of central importance to their conservation in human-dominated landscapes. In this study, we evaluate community attitudes and perceptions towards the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) and bears (Ursus thibetanus and Ursus arctos), as well as their prey species, namely sika deer (Cervus nippon), roe deer and wild boar (Sus scrofa), in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin province, northeast China. We surveyed 139 households and found that community members’ perceptions of large carnivores and their prey species were influenced by their predominant economic activities; their prior interactions with wildlife; their household income level; and whether they were either long-term residents of Yanbian or had migrated to the region from elsewhere in China. We recorded fairly neutral attitudes towards large carnivores among the communities we surveyed, but strongly negative attitudes were shown towards wild boar, particularly where respondents had lost agricultural products to crop raiding by wild boar. We recommend conservation stakeholders in northeast China utilise this finding to encourage support for large carnivore recovery and conservation by targeting messaging around the importance of the tiger as a key predator of wild boar in the ecosystem. Furthermore, our findings suggest that government provided compensation paid for cattle lost to large carnivore predation (notably, by tigers) may be helping to reduce animosity from cattle owners towards large carnivores. However, we also highlight that compensation for loss of livestock is therefore performing a useful role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict, that there are potentially unintended consequences of the current compensation program, for example it fails to dissuade livestock grazing in protected areas.