Tag:endangered animals
Leopards, scientifically known as Panthera pardus, are one of the five ‘big cats’ of the genus Panthera. Known for their distinctive dark spots and agile bodies, leopards are remarkable members of the animal kingdom, boasting a combination of strength, intelligence, and beauty. Found across various regions of Africa and parts of Asia, they are versatile creatures that have adapted to different environments, from deserts and mountains to jungles and grasslands. Their solitary nature and incredible stealth and speed make them one of nature’s most efficient predators. However, they are more than just hunters; leopards are a vital part of their ecosystems, with their very existence contributing to the delicate balance of nature.
Physical Attributes
Leopards are medium-sized big cats, typically measuring between 1 and 2 metres in body length, with a tail that can extend an additional 90 centimetres. Males are usually larger than females, weighing between 36 and 180 kilograms, while females weigh between 27 and 155 kilograms.
One of the most striking features of the leopard is its coat. It is covered in a tawny or golden hue with black rosettes, unique to each individual, much like a human fingerprint. The rosettes are circular in East African leopards but square in southern African leopards. Some leopards are also melanistic, a trait more commonly known as ‘black panther’, which results from an overproduction of pigment and appears in dense, forested areas where light levels are lower.
Leopards have a robust build with a large skull. They also possess powerful jaws and necks, enabling them to carry their prey up trees to secure it from other predators. Their bodies are designed for power rather than long-distance running. They have a barrel-chested torso and thick, muscular limbs, and their retractable claws provide excellent grip, crucial for climbing trees and catching prey.
Leopard’s eyes are large and expressive, providing them with excellent night vision, essential for their predominantly nocturnal hunting habits. Leopards also have keen hearing and a strong sense of smell. This makes them one of the most effective predators in the animal kingdom.
Habitats and Distribution
Back in 1750, leopards were found in most parts of Africa below the Sahara and some regions in the north and northeast of the continent. They also lived in Asia Minor, Central Asia, India, China, and Manchuria. However, as of 2019, the species has lost a significant portion of its range, up to 75%. Although Leopards can still be found in scattered regions throughout Africa and parts of Asia, their wild population has dwindled to just 250,000.
These creatures are highly adaptable and are known for their versatility as predators. They can survive in various environments, such as savannas, woodlands, mountains, and even urban areas.
The Elusive Nature of Leopards
Being primarily nocturnal, leopards are shrouded in an air of mystery. Unlike their social counterparts, such as lions, they are generally solitary creatures, seeking solitude during the day and emerging under cover of darkness to hunt. Their stealthy and elusive behaviour has often made it challenging for them to study in the wild. Thus adding to the fascination surrounding these elusive big cats.
Hunting and Prey Preferences
Leopards are skilled and adaptable hunters who can capture a wide range of prey, from tiny rodents to large ungulates like deer and antelope. Their impressive strength enables them to hoist prey twice their size up into trees, keeping them safe from scavengers and other predators. This ability to climb trees is a distinctive trait of leopards and has significantly contributed to their evolutionary achievements.
Threats and Conservation
The decline of leopard populations is primarily due to poaching, with the Amur leopard being particularly vulnerable to trophy hunters. These majestic animals often live near human settlements, making them easy targets. The primary motivation behind poaching is the valuable fur of the leopard, which is usually sold as rugs or clothing. Poaching has adverse effects not only on the Amur leopards but also on their prey, such as deer and rabbits. This makes it challenging for them to survive. Moreover, the Amur leopard is facing difficulties in finding enough food in China as the population of its prey is declining.
Although criticised by conservationists, several countries still permit trophy hunting. African nations such as Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique have policies that allow it. Moreover, some farmers view leopards as pests and may take measures to eliminate them to protect their animals. As a result, the IUCN has categorised leopards as vulnerable. However, there are still a sufficient number of them that repopulation is feasible.
Nevertheless, some subspecies face more significant threats than others. The Amur leopard, for instance, is the rarest, with only about 100 individuals left in the wild. There are 180-200 in captivity. It is classified as Critically Endangered and may soon vanish. Similarly, the Javan leopard, with only about 250 mature adults in the wild, is also on the Critically Endangered list. Sadly, human activity is diminishing its chances of survival. With just 200 individuals remaining, the Arabian leopard is also in serious danger of becoming extinct.
Conclusion
Leopards have fascinated humans with their stunning appearance and elusive nature for centuries. As top predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. Sadly, human-induced factors are endangering their survival, making conservation efforts urgent.
Day two of our road trip saw us head off early from St Arnaud. We were travelling the Silo Art Trail on our way to Sea Lake.
Rupanyup
The first stop of the day was Rupanyup, 63kms to the east of St Arnaud. Twin steel silos painted by Russian artist Julia Volchkova in 2017 depict two young people, Ebony, who plays in the local netball team and Jordan, a footballer.
Sheep hills
Starting our run North, the second stop was 36kms up the road at Sheep Hills. Painted by Matt Adnate in 2016, it depicts Wergaia elder Uncle Ron Marks and Wotjobaluk Elder Aunty Regina Hood. Between them are two children, Savannah Marks and Curtly McDonald. Adnate’s artwork celebrates the area’s indigenous culture, and his depiction of the night sky represents the ‘dreaming’ element and highlights the strong ancestral connection indigenous children share with their elders.
brim
Heading off again, our third stop was Brim, another 42 kms up the road. The Brim silo, completed in 2016, was the first one to be painted in Victoria and the second in Australia after Northham, WA. Following the completion of the Brim silo, the town enjoyed newfound energy and optimism through the widespread attention towards Brim and the Wimmera, from both local and international media. It was from the success of the Brim silo that the Silo Art Trail was born. Guido’s work depicts four anonymous farmers, three men and one woman.
Rosebery
Just a short 24kms up the road, we came to Rosebery. Completed in 2017 by Kaff-eine, her artwork on the left depicts a female sheep farmer in a workshirt and cowboy boots. On the right is a horseman and his mount. The horseman wears an Akubra hat, bogs boots and oilskin vest – common attire for mallee farmers.
Patchewollock
Our next stop was Patchewollock. At 63 kms further north, it’s the longest distance between silos. As you drive down the road with endless flat fields and huge open skies on either side of you, you can’t help but reflect on the isolation of the land, the lack of ‘city’ conveniences and the continual hardships the farmers endure against droughts and fires. Patchewollock silo depicts local farmer Nick “noodle” Hulland. Completed in 2016, it shows the archetypal Aussie farmer in a faded blue flannelette shirt and worn jeans.
Fintan painted him with a solemn expression and squinting gaze to embody the harshness of the environment and the challenges a mallee farmer faces.
lascelles
From Patchellwock, it’s 50 kms south to Lascelles. With no breakfast, and 3 hours on the road, our tummies were rumbling, and we were looking forward to getting to our lunch stop. But, while close, Lascelles wasn’t it. Painted by Rone in 2017, its subjects are a local couple Geoff and Merrilyn Horman, part of a family who has lived and farmed the area for four generations.
Woomelang
A short 15kms further south from Lascelles is Woomelang (pop 150!). Our lunch stop. Being so far away from a major town, we weren’t expecting a sumptuous lunch. Still, given they promote the Woomelang “cafe” and its python mural, its closeness to the silo trail, and the fact that they have a ‘field bin’ trail within the town, we did expect a reasonably passable cafe. No. It’s a general store, combined with a post office and an opp shop that also sells fried food and pizzas. We settled for a potato cake and a couple of dimmies and sat outside as there was no tables or chairs inside.
Field Bins
The young Vice President of the Woomelang and District Development Association, Joe Collins (19 yrs old), had originally wanted their silo included in the trail. But, being privately owned, it couldn’t be included. He then came up with the idea for street art on the general store wall to boost the economy. Locals thought he had been in the sun a bit too long. Determined to forge ahead, he contacted Juddy Roller, who had started the silo art trail and was put in touch with Sirum. Sirum came back with a draft idea of the endangered carpet python.
A town meeting was called, and while many locals were against the idea of a snake on the wall, Joe prevailed. Once the python was painted and tourists started calling into town, the opposition vanished, and the townsfolk started looking at more ways to bring visitors to the town. They liaised with the Wimmera Catchment Authority, and eight new endangered animals were chosen to grace eight mobile field bins. Call into the general store to pick up a map. I would, however, suggest taking a cut lunch with you, rather than buying from the “cafe”.
Before leaving Woomelang, we also stopped by the Shearing shed in Cronomby Tanks Rd. Built of compressed kerosine tins, it stands as a monument to bush ingenuity during the wartime shortage of building materials.
Nullawil
We had one more stop before reaching Sea Lake. Nullawil, 65kms south from Woomelang, is probably my favourite silo. Painted by Smug it features a farmer in an obligatory checked flannel shirt and his mate a black and tan Kelpie.
Sea Lake
Turning north again, we covered the last 50 km to arrive at Sea Lake and the end of our days driving. The Sea Lake silo features a young girl on a swing looking over Lake Tyrell. Painted over three weeks in 2019, the silo embodies the wide-open sky of Lake Tyrell, the indigenous name of which is ‘Tyrille’ meaning ‘space opening to the sky’. After viewing the silo, we drove around town, capturing the murals on walls of stores. We didn’t go to Lake Tyrell before dinner, as our group were booked to do that on the sunset tour. Both decisions turned out to be huge mistakes—more on that in the next post.
Days End
After leaving St Arnaud around 8 am, we had made it to Sea Lake by 3.30 pm and covered the entire silo trail plus Woomelang and its field bins in 407 kms. We booked into Sea Lake Motel and dinner at the Royal Hotel. The old pub, built in 1910, burnt down in 2017. The only other pub in town had closed, and drastic action was called for. You can’t have a pub with no beer or a town with no pub. Locals started the Royal Hotel Co-op at $5000 per share and raised enough money to purchase the old pub. Seven months and 28 loads of rubbish to the tip later, the pub reopened in June 2019, providing 16 local jobs staffing the hotel.
