Caucasian Leopard

Panthera pardus is a leopard subspecies native to  the Caucasus.  Since 2016, it has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as the population was estimated at 871 to 1,290 mature individuals, with a declining trend. Common names used for Panthera pardus  include Asia Minor leopard, Caucasian leopard, Persian leopard and Anatolian leopard.

The diet of Caucasian leopard varies depending on habitat. In southern Armenia, it preys mostly on bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), mouflon (Ovis gmelini), wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) and European hare (Lepus europaeus).

The presence of leopards is highly correlated with the presence of wild goat and wild sheep. The mating season lasts from mid-January to mid-February.

Caucasian leopard is threatened by poaching, human disturbance such as presence of military and training of troops in border areas, habitat loss due to deforestation, fire, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure development.