Amur Leopard from the Korean Peninsula 'Arina' to be Seen at Seoul Grand Park in the Second Half of the Year

Plan to Attempt Breeding with Existing Male Amur Leopard

Amur leopard Photo by World Wildlife Fund

One female Amur leopard, an endangered species, is newly arriving at Seoul Grand Park.

On the 7th, Seoul Grand Park announced that one female Amur leopard, an endangered species from the UK, will arrive on the 8th. The incoming Amur leopard was born in 2014 and is named 'Arina.' This transfer was made as part of the 2022 European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) recommendation for Amur leopard breeding and relocation, as well as the Korea-UK 140th Anniversary Project last year. The EEP analyzes the global Amur leopard lineage every year to select the optimal breeding pairs.

The male at Seoul Zoo and the female at Highland Wildlife Park in the UK were selected as a breeding pair, prompting this transfer to Seoul Grand Park. Currently, Seoul Grand Park houses two male Amur leopards, 'Leo' and 'Rod,' born in 2016 and imported from Russia in 2018, following the recommendations of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Endangered Species Programme.

EEP and Korea-UK 140th Anniversary Project... 2014-born Korean Leopard 'Arina' Arrives at Seoul Grand Park

Seoul Grand Park plans to unveil the new female after she adapts to the environment later this year. Additionally, breeding attempts with the existing males at Seoul Grand Park are expected to help conserve the Amur leopard species. Previously, in November last year, Seoul Grand Park hosted the International Amur Leopard Ex Situ Conservation Workshop, inviting EAZA EEP officials to inspect the Amur leopard breeding facilities and environment, receiving high marks for excellent facilities.

Choi Hong-yeon, director of Seoul Grand Park, stated, "We will do our best to successfully carry out the conservation of the Amur leopard species introduced through the Korea-UK 140th anniversary and international breeding program participation," adding, "We will continue to make efforts to conserve endangered wild animals."

Amur leopard Photo by World Wide Fund for Nature

Amur Leopard Genetically Identical to Former Korean Leopard of the Korean Peninsula... Characterized by Coin-like Fur Patterns

The Amur leopard is classified as a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix I species and is designated as a Class 1 endangered wild species by the Ministry of Environment in Korea. Also known as the 'Korean leopard,' the Amur leopard is genetically the same species as the Korean leopard that once inhabited the Korean Peninsula but disappeared. It currently inhabits the Russian Far East Primorsky Krai, the Amur River region, and northern China.

The Amur leopard's body length is approximately 1.5 to 2 meters, with a tail length of about 67 to 110 cm. It is characterized by a large, round head and a short neck. Its fur color ranges from yellow to yellowish-red, with black spots scattered across the body, legs, and tail. The patterns on the waist and sides feature pale yellowish-brown fur in the center, resembling old Korean coins.

Seoul Grand Park also reported that in January this year, they brought in six species and seven individuals of CITES-listed reptiles, including Indian star tortoises, which were seized during attempts of illegal smuggling or abandoned and are currently being protected at the National Institute of Ecology, and are working on their environmental adaptation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.