A
leopard never changes its spots, but one from Kent has been forced to
change its sleeping pattern as it joins a breeding programme in Utah.
Three-year-old Zeya is a rare breed, as only around 40-50 Amur leopards remain in the wild.
The
Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) in Smarden, is helping to preserve
the Amur leopard for future generations by putting the cat on the
10-hour flight to America.
Zeya has been flown to Utah
The
Amur leopard is native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia
and the Jilin Province of northeast China and has been classified as
Critically Endangered since 1996.
"She is a fantastic cat with a huge personality and plenty of character" - head keeper Clare Westwood
WHF’s
head keeper Clare Westwood said that Zeya had left her Smarden home in
October and added: “‘We are all very sad to see Zeya go, but it is
brilliant to be contributing another young female to the breeding
programme of the world’s most endangered big cat species.
“She
is a fantastic cat with a huge personality and plenty of character. We
are confident she will be a wonderful mum as is her own mother Xizi.”
The
WHF’s Tanith Brown said: “Zeya travelled well on the 10-hour flight but
it usually takes a good couple of months for big cats to settle down
after such a journey. “She is missed by the
others cats and the keepers but our ultimate joy is that she will be
part of the breeding programme that will eventually reintroduce the Amur
leopard back into the wild. We are very proud to have played a part.”
The Wildlife Heritage Foundation
The WHF’s Headcorn Road site is 38 acres, with large grass expanses that can be enjoyed by the leopards.
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