phoenix Zoo TRAIL CARDS
History:
Jasper is from the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina
He arrived in Phoenix in Fall of 2023 for new Predator Passage Exhibit.
More Information:
Northernmost living subspecies of leopard
This subspecies is found in forests.
Tend to have darker and denser rosettes
Coat grows especially long in winter and things out for summer
Not an African animal, but will represent leopards that do come from Africa
Phoenix zoo was asked to help because they are critically endangered
Exhibit has special cooling areas
Scroll down for tips on talking about pacing behaviors.
One of eight or nine subspecies
Critically endangered
Estimated to be less than 100 individuals living in the wild
Found in southeastern Russia and northern China
Among rarest of all leopards, and also rarest of all cats
Solitary life in mountain forests
Diet includes wild boar, deer and rodents
Endangered due to decrease in prey species, poaching, and habitat loss
This cat may soon be extinct in the wild.
Talking about Pacing Behavior:
May be anticipatory - waiting for food, shift, or hearing keeper
May be response to noise, visual, or other stimuli, new animals, construction, smells, etc.
Cats in the wild are constantly patrolling their territories
**Keepers are monitoring and making changes to ensure optimal well being.
Keepers don't believe Jasper is stressed. If he were, he would likely not pace so close to guests.