Description

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Context:

Three critically endangered Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) cubs or triplets have been born in Saudi Arabia.

Species	Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr)
Native Location	Arabian Peninsula
Size	Smallest leopard subspecies
Physical Characteristics	Fur varies from pale yellow to deep golden, tawny or grey with rosettes
Habitat	Mountains, uplands, hilly steppes
Distribution	Limited to the Arabian Peninsula, including Egypt's Sinai Peninsula
Ecology and Behavior	Nocturnal, sometimes active during the day, prefers well-vegetated terrain
Prey	Small to medium prey species
Threats	Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation
	Prey depletion due to unregulated hunting
	Trapping for the illegal wildlife trade
	Retaliatory killing in defense of livestock
Status on IUCN Red List	Critically Endangered since 1996
Estimated Population (2006)	Fewer than 200 wild individuals
Subpopulations	Severely fragmented; no subpopulation larger than 50 mature individuals
Population Trend	Thought to be declining continuously
Conservation Status	Listed in CITES Appendix I
Captive Breeding	Breeding Centre for Endangered Wildlife, Sharjah

Leopard Species	Scientific Name	Region	Status	Key Details
African Leopard	Panthera pardus pardus	Sub-Saharan Africa	Vulnerable CITES Appendix I.	Largest leopard subspecies; variable fur pattern, primarily in savannas and forests.
Persian Leopard	Panthera pardus saxicolor	Iran, Caucasus, Turkey	Endangered	Larger size compared to African leopards; adapted to mountainous regions.
Indian Leopard	Panthera pardus fusca	India, Nepal, Sri Lanka	Vulnerable	Adapted to diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, and human-dominated areas.
Sri Lankan Leopard	Panthera pardus kotiya	Sri Lanka	Vulnerable	Island population; smaller size, distinct rosette patterns.
Javan Leopard	Panthera pardus melas	Java, Indonesia	Endangered	Small population isolated in the mountainous forests of Java.
Amur Leopard	Panthera pardus orientalis	Russia (Siberia)	Critically Endangered	Most endangered leopard subspecies; adapted to cold climate, dense forests.
Snow Leopard	Panthera uncia	Central Asia, Himalayas	Vulnerable	Highly adapted to high-altitude, rugged terrains; elusive, mostly solitary.
Chinese Leopard	Panthera pardus japonensis	China	Vulnerable	Smaller compared to other leopard species; found in various habitats, including forests and mountains.

Source:

DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Arabian leopard:

It is native to the Arabian Peninsula and is the smallest subspecies of leopard.
The Arabian leopard has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996.
It prefers open plains and coastal lowlands as its primary habitat.

How many of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is native to the Arabian Peninsula and is the smallest subspecies of leopard.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Arabian leopard has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1996.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Arabian leopard prefers well-vegetated mountainous uplands and hilly steppes, not open plains or coastal lowlands.