Rare Amur Leopard Cub revealed Event:            Official unveiling of a critically endangered Amur leopard cub:less than 35 remain in the wild Where:           Marwell Zoological Park, Winchester When:            Thursday 28th February 2008 Time:             9.00am   A female Amur leopard cub was born on the 18th November 2007 at Marwell Zoological Park as part of a European conservation breeding programme to help save the species from extinction. With less than 35 individuals in the wild, Amur leopards are one of the rarest big cats in the world.   The young female has been kept inside her den with her mother, Ascha, since birth and this will be the first time that she can venture outside and fully explore her environment.   Amur leopards used to roam a wide area, living in the forests and mountains of Russia, Korea and China. Over the last few years their range has become smaller and smaller and they now only live in the Far East of Russia.   The Amur leopard, like most big cats, has suffered due to trophy hunters and poachers killing them for their beautiful fur coats. Other major reasons include loss of habitat and depletion of their prey species due to competition for land with humans.   Amur leopards face an uncertain future. As well as risks posed by man, the small world-wide population size means that the species is particularly vulnerable to inbreeding which can cause genetic problems including reduced fertility.  Plans are in place to begin the long process of reintroducing the species back to the wild.   The cub was born to Marwell’s resident adults, Mum, Ascha and Dad, Akin. From Friday 29th February the public will be invited to name the cub via on online vote on Marwell’s website: www.marwell.org.uk