Results of Remote Sensing of a Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor, Pocock, 1927) in the Aliyev Zangezur National Park of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

Since 2006, with the support of WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), remote research of leopards (Panthera pardus saxicolor, Pocock, 1927 = P. p. ciscaucasica, Satunin, 1924). The main research is carried out on the eastern slopes of the Zangezur Mountains in the Aliyev Zangezur National Park of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. To study the leopard, photographic traps of the Cudde Back (17 pieces), Panthera (5 pieces) and Bushnel (64 pieces) brands in the amount of 86 pieces are used. In 2019 alone, 373,622 photos and 45,553 videos were taken. On 340 photos and 71 video materials, adult leopards were recorded, and on 20 photos and 5 video materials, a female leopard with cubs was filmed, and a photo of a female and a male was found on 7 photos and 4 video materials. During this period, 12 adults and 3 calves were identified.