Two Philippine Visayan leopards are set to be transported back to its natural habitat in Mariit Conservation Center in Jayubo, Lambunao.
Named Ponti and Vedra, the two have been taken care of by doctors who found and rescued them in a field when they were just babies.
The Philippine Visayan leopard is known as a very rare breed of leopards that can only be found in the islands of Panay and Negros. It is one of the two endemic species in the country and is considered as one of the smallest and threatened cats in the world.
According to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature back in 2008, the leopard’s population has been in a steady decline, thus they are quite vulnerable to extinction.
Negros Forests Ecological Foundation Inc. (NFEFI) said it is quite difficult to breed them in captivity.
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