Two Rare Persian Leopards Born in Russia After 50 Years

The World Wildlife Fund announced the birth of two rare Persian leopard cubs in Russia, a first in the past 50 years. They were born in the Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre, Sochi National Park in South Western Russia.

The birth of this rare cat species is special as this is the first time a Russian National Park has reported the birth of the Persian leopard cub that is listed as an endangered species, according to the IUCN Red List . Less that 1,290 mature Persian leopards roam the wilds.

Born to Zadig and Andrea who were shifted to the national park in 2012 from Portugal's Lisbon Zoo, the two cubs are a result of a program to restore the population of these species in the wild.

LiveScience reports that the two kittens are nearly 6 inches weighing not more than 1.5 pounds.   

"It is too early to tell the sex of the cubs. They're in the den with their mother and centre staffs don't want to disturb them", said Umar Semyonov, head of the breeding center.

The Persian leopards once roamed throughout Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and northern areas of Russia to Amur Valley. A very few are currently found in Eastern Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus Mountains, Southern Turkmenistan and a few parts of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Persian leopard pelts are sold for $1,000 in local markets. It is a protected species in the country and any hunting or trading of the animal is illegal.

"They will be released into the wild after learning surviving skills and will start a new population of the leopards in the Caucasus Mountains", said Natalia Dronova, WWF-Russia species coordinator.