These leopards live in northern China, south of the Amur leopards. Listed as Endangered, one step below Critically Endangered. Approximately 2500 remain in the wild in highly fragmented ranges. Only about 100 exist in captivity. We are home to a highly genetically diverse population which will allow us to continue this species for another 2-3 generations, with the recent addition of cats from Germany and France. However, new founder blood (wild-caught) is needed to maintain a genetically sound captive colony. There is a possibility of receiving captured 'problem' animals that would otherwise have been destroyed. They are large leopards, with darker orange background fur than other leopard subspecies. Their rosettes are large, have much darker enclosed fur, and sometimes even a spot within the rosette - traits common in jaguars, but not seen in other leopard subspecies.

Weight: males range from 80 to 198 pounds, females 60 to 130 pounds.

Height: measured at the shoulder, 18 to 30 inches.

Lifespan: in captivity, they have been known to live 20 years or more; in the wild it is thought to be closer to 12 years.

Habitat and Range: Northern Chinese Leopards were originally named because of skins purchased in Japan, one country their range does not extend into. They can be found from Sichuan to southern China and north to Beijing.