Central Asian leopard Chilmas released into the wild in the reserve "Turmonsky"

In North Ossetia, on the territory of the state natural reserve "Turmonsky", a male Persian leopard named Chilmas was released into the natural habitat. This was reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia on its website.

“The pupil of the Center for Leopard Restoration in the Caucasus of the Sochi National Park successfully completed the examination tests and confirmed the presence of all the abilities for independent survival in the natural environment. According to the conclusion of the commission, the predator is in excellent physical shape, its hunting behavior is fully formed,” the department noted.

At the time of release, Chilmas was nearly two years old.

The leopard passed special examination tests, which showed that it has the “sustained human and pet avoidance response” necessary for a predator.

“Chilmas is perfectly built and physically healthy. In addition, he became our champion. The weight of the handsome man is 61 kilograms - the highest figure among his predecessors," said veterinarian Mikhail Alshinetsky, quoted by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.

The department reported that earlier, on July 14, the male's sister, Achipse, was released into the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. Sibling kittens Chilmas and Achipse were the first offspring of a pair of Shiva and Philou, who arrived at the recovery center in 2020 from the Swedish Zoo on an exchange program. A female Shiva had a kitten in early July.

“There are now 11 Persian leopards living in the Caucasus mountains. The release of snow leopards into the natural environment is a very significant event. This is the result of the titanic work of scientists, experts of the reserve system, veterinarians, ministry employees, volunteers and many other specialists. We must give the spotted cat of the Caucasus as many chances as possible to survive: help the Center, preserve unique mountain ecosystems, provide a food base and not interfere,” said Alexander Kozlov, head of the Ministry of Natural Resources, whose words are quoted in the message.

As noted in the department, until the middle of the 20th century, the Persian leopard was a common representative of the fauna of the Caucasus, but due to increased extermination, its number has sharply decreased, and by now the population has completely disappeared. To restore this species, the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia adopted a special program, within the framework of which a special center appeared in the Sochi National Park.

“For the first time in world practice, specialists managed to form a pair of wild individuals in captivity, get offspring from them, successfully prepare it for independent life and release it into the natural environment,” the ministry noted.