SCIENTISTS SOMETIMES
CALL AMUR LEOPARDS
THE “SILENT KILLER”
SINCE THEY’RE SO GOOD
AT SNEAKING UP ON PREY.SOFT, DENSE FUR
KEEPS AMUR
LEOPARDS
WARM IN THE
BITTER COLD.GRAB A PARENT TOWATCH OTHER BIG CATS IN ACTION.
youtube.com/natgeokidsFEBRUARY 2019 • NAT GEO KIDS (^13)
THESE BIG CATS GET A NEW CHANCE AT SURVIVAL.
RAREST
S
THE
lowly stalking down the snowy hillside, the Amur
leopard watches its prey through the trees. In
the clearing below, a sika deer munches on tree
bark, one of its few remaining food sources dur-
ing the cold Russian winter. The leopard crouches,
its body so low to the ground that its belly fur
brushes the snow. Suddenly it bounds and springs
forward, tackling the deer from 10 feet away.
With a deadly combination of speed, strength, and stealth, the
Amur leopard seems like it has everything it needs for survival.
But not long ago—after decades of habitat loss and poaching—
these endangered cats almost went extinct. Thanks in part to a
newly established national park, however, Amur leopards are
clawing their way back from the brink.BY SCOTT ELDER