thethpunjabi t1_jebovwk wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:05 PM

Reply to comment by MostlyIncorrect420 in San Diego Zoo announces birth of endangered Amur leopard twins by Sariel007

There’s around 120 adults left based on most recent estimates.

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/amur-leopards

thethpunjabi OP t1_je7ynun wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:42 AM

Reply to comment by Asoka3 in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

They’re all the same species, Acinonyx jubatus. Just different subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus and Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and genetic studies show a separation of only 32,000 and 67,000 years between the Asiatic subspecies and African subspecies.

Citation: Charruau, P.; Fernandes, C.; Orozco-Terwengel, P.; Peters, J.; Hunter, L.; Ziaie, H.; Jourabchian, A.; Jowkar, H.; Schaller, G. & Ostrowski, S. (2011). "Phylogeography, genetic structure and population divergence time of cheetahs in Africa and Asia: evidence for long-term geographic isolates". Molecular Ecology. 20 (4): 706–724. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04986.x. PMC 3531615. PMID 21214655.

thethpunjabi OP t1_je7y7xs wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:39 AM

Reply to comment by gorgonopsidkid in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

They’re all the same species, Acinonyx jubatus. Just different subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus and Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and genetic studies show a separation of only 32,000 and 67,000 years between the Asiatic subspecies and African subspecies.

Citation: Charruau, P.; Fernandes, C.; Orozco-Terwengel, P.; Peters, J.; Hunter, L.; Ziaie, H.; Jourabchian, A.; Jowkar, H.; Schaller, G. & Ostrowski, S. (2011). "Phylogeography, genetic structure and population divergence time of cheetahs in Africa and Asia: evidence for long-term geographic isolates". Molecular Ecology. 20 (4): 706–724. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04986.x. PMC 3531615. PMID 21214655.

thethpunjabi OP t1_je7xo76 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:35 AM

Reply to comment by j1ggy in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

Honestly, it’s sad but the Asiatic cheetah looks doomed at this point. I think they would’ve been better off if Iran relocated a breeding population to India back in the early 2010’s when there was more left.

thethpunjabi OP t1_je74h8w wrote on March 29, 2023 at 9:57 PM

Reply to comment by Potential_Rain676 in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

Doom scrolling is detrimental to your mental health. Remember to take a break!

thethpunjabi OP t1_je7411q wrote on March 29, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Reply to comment by wazbang in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

Yes, their numbers are rising as well!

thethpunjabi t1_je6trsf wrote on March 29, 2023 at 8:45 PM

Reply to San Diego Zoo announces birth of endangered Amur leopard twins by Sariel007

I remember when their numbers were less than 25 back in 2007. I’m glad to see they’ve bounced back but there’s still a long way to go.

thethpunjabi OP t1_je6gkwc wrote on March 29, 2023 at 7:21 PM

Reply to comment by frealfr in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

They were locally extinct (extirpation) from India but the Asiatic cheetah subspecies still survives in Iran (though their current situation is bleak and dire). These reintroduced cheetahs belong to the southeast African subspecies. They’re all cheetahs, however.

thethpunjabi OP t1_je6fgjs wrote on March 29, 2023 at 7:14 PM

Reply to comment by yellowzebrasfly in First cheetah cubs born in India since extinction 70 years ago by thethpunjabi

I would say so. India is doing a pretty good job in-regards to conserving megafauna species. Rhino, tiger, and lion numbers are on the rise. However, I worry about habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation.