The Leopard İs Persian, Study Finds

The leopard killed in Turkey is Persian, recent study revealed on the contrary of previous claims that it was Anatolian.

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) announced that the leopard killed in Diyarbakir province by flockmen is not Anatolian, but Persian.

In a written statement made by TUBITAK, defining the species of the leopard based on its DNA is completed and it shows the leopard belongs to Persian family, scientifically named Panthera pardus saxicolor.

Head of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute of TUBITAK, Bayram Yuksel, stated that this kind of leopard is also named Iranian, Caucasian or Central Asian and live in Iran, Caucasus, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Reminding the previous findings suggesting the leopard is Anatolian, Yuksel said they have not come across an Anatolian one in Turkey so far.

The existence of leopards in Turkey's southeastern region has been investigated by the region's forestry directorate after a shepherd shot a leopard in Cinar district of Diyarbakir at the beginning of the month. - Ankara