Persian leopard caught on trap camera in Ustyurt State Nature Reserve

The wildlife camera trap caught a glimpse of a rare Persian leopard in the Ustyurt State Nature Reserve, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan indicated that this subspecies is classified as endangered according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is included in the List of Critically Endangered species since April 2021 and included in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

It is noteworthy that the coloration of the Persian leopards can vary from region to region. Unlike other leopard subspecies, the coloration of the Persian leopard is often lighter and less saturated, which enables them to blend in more effectively with the dry and rocky landscapes of their habitat. This adaptive camouflage allows them to effectively hide from potential predators and prey in the harsh conditions.