Hidayian Leopard

Kanodite Leopard

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Animals, Plants and Diseases


Mammals


Hidayian Leopard}

To them, they are being hunted for no reason at all. They didn't choose to be depicted on flags or be synonymous with a defeated kingdom. Yet we have slaughtered them to the point of near extinction for it.

The Hidayian leopard, also known as the Kanodite leopard or the Sarzaminian leopard is a species of large cat that resides in western Sarzamin. It once roamed the entirety of Sarzamin and the Samadic Kingdom but hunting and the desertification of the Dasht-e Bas have severely limited its range. Pairing young and always accompanying their partners, adult males can reach up to 60cm (1.9ft) in height whilst the females can only reach 50cm in height (1.6ft). Those in colder climates generally grow larger with the highest recorded head to length being 300cm (9.8ft). A typical length is 250-280cm (8.2-9.1ft). The remaining population of the Hidayian leopards now reside in low human-density areas away from towns and cities. Sightings are rare in the wild and those that are spotted are normally hunted for their pelt and bones. The pelts sell for a vast amount of coin and the bones are used in sacrifices to the Solite gods. A number are kept in private zoos and a significant effort by the early Dobarid emperors has seen a rise in their numbers.

Characteristics

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The Hidayian leopard has thick and soft fur, with softer fur on its belly and tail. The leopards that make their home in the southern portions of Sarzamin have a light yellow fur whilst those in the north have a deeper golden pelt. Its pelt is dotted with white spots grouped in rosettes and each leopard has a unique set of spots. Its belly is blackish and its tail is longer than its body. A rare variation of the Hidayian leopard is white or black fur. These leopards are referred to as sun and moon leopards and are deemed sacred to the Solites. Despite this, the value of their pelt makes their life expectancy short.

Distribution and Habitat

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The Hidayian leopard is distributed throughout Sarzamin and the Dasht-e Jenaze desert north of Sarzamin. In western Sarzamin, the leopard resides in subalpine meadows, broadleaf forests and rugged ravines. To the north and east, its habitat is rocky slopes, mountain steppes and juniper forests. The leopard avoids deep snow so isn't found too deep into the mountain ranges that surround its habitat. It is believed that roughly 2,000 leopards exist in the wild with a few hundred kept in captivity. The rarity of the animal has increased the value of its pelt substantially and a live specimen is worth a small fortune.

Former Range

It is believed that the leopards once roamed the Dasht-e Bas when it was grassland and home to a wide variety of potential prey. Skeletons are occasionally found by those that travel the desert which supports the theory. The fall of the Hidayi Kingdom, which used the Hidayian leopard as their standard, after a rebellion by the Kanodites led to a drastic decline in their population. The Kanodites wished to remove any iconography of their previous rulers and this also applied to the leopards which were hunted to near extinction. Sizeable bounties were placed on the leopards and their pelt and claws sold for high prices on the black market.

^{The banner of the Hidayian Kingdom}

After the collapse of the Kanodite Empire, the bounties placed on the leopards ended which gave the population numbers and needed reprieve. It is believed that the population dropped down to roughly 200 at its lowest. Despite the recent bounce back in their numbers, the leopards have not yet returned to large areas that they used to reside in.

Ecology and Behaviour

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The Hidayian leopard is the only leopard in the known world that can roar, although it will only do so once threatened to scare off its foes. Like other leopards, it is a very vocal creature, purring, meowing and grunting to communicate with others. With large territories, sometimes 200 square miles across, the leopards are known to travel vast distances at a time and the decreasing population will only see larger territories forming. Travelling in pairs, the leopard is a nocturnal hunter being active from nightfall to sunrise and resting during the day. When resting, the Hidayian leopards will find shelter from the sun either under tree cover or in a cave or ravine. Hidayian leopards are skilled climbers, being able to clamber up trees and rock faces and some make their homes in elevated positions.

Diet and Hunting

As a carnivore, the Hidayian leopard sustains itself on medium-sized prey although has been seen to take larger animals if they can secure the carcass against scavengers. It has also been reported that the leopards will travel long distances for their hunts. Those that live on the edges of the Dasht-e Bas are believed to travel into the desert to hunt the wild Basian Camels that travel the sands. These leopards hydrate themselves from the bodily fluids of their prey and the few moisture-rich plants that grow in the desert. Stalking their prey, sometimes for hours at a time, the Hidayi leopard is an ambush predator. Unless the pair of leopards are with cubs, both the male and the female hunt together. The female will make herself known to their prey before driving them into the male who has been sat in wait. When the prey approaches the male pounces and then suffocates the prey by biting down on its neck. Smaller prey is likely to have their neck snapped, killing them instantly, instead of dying by suffocation.

Reproduction

^{Hidayian Leopard cubs playing}

Once paired, the Hidayian leopards remain together for their entire lives. If a partner dies, the leopards never re-pair and will remain solitary for the remainder of their lives. It is believed that each leopard can tell their partner from their pelt and smell as they can find each other over large distances. The leopards can mate all year round although regional differences can limit the time period available for mating. Cubs are usually born in litters of two to four although the largest recorded was a litter of eight. Mortality for the cubs is roughly 60% in their first year of life.

Females will retreat to a cave, ravine or thickly grassed thicket to give birth and to make a den for the cubs. The cubs, helplessly when they are born, will remain in the den for three months before joining their parents on the hunt. At a year old, the cubs are old enough to fend for themselves but will remain with their parents for another year before leaving to form their own territory.

Threats

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The largest threat to the Hidayian leopard is hunting. The Hidayi Kingdom used the leopard as their emblem and when they fell their conquerors, the Kanodites, wanted to remove any images that were linked to the kingdom. This included the Hidayian leopards. The tamed cats kept within the palaces and noble homes were slain and hunting parties were dispatched to hunt down any leopards in the wild. The Kanodite Emperors placed a high price on any leopard hides and the species neared extinction. The fall of the Kanodite Empire gave the Hidayian leopards a much-needed reprieve although poaching and unofficial hunting are still common and the major threat for the leopards. The demand for the Hidayian leopard pelt is still very popular in the Dobarid noble villas and the temples and shrines of Sarzamin.

As the desertification of the Dasht-e Bas increases, the natural habitat of the Hidayian leopard continues to shrink and a lack of territory to roam is decreasing their population with increased severity. Without cover to hunt in, which the dunes do not provide, the leopards are pushed into newer pastures which can lead to conflict with humans.

It's always been a question of spears and sand. An animal that's rarely seen and has no natural predators is threatened nearly exclusively by spears and sand.

Relationship with humans

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Attacks on humans are exceptionally rare with only a handful of recorded cases known. Although once cornered, the Hidayian leopard will fight fiercely. During a royal hunt, the Kanodite Emperor Kambiz was severely wounded by a leopard which he had been tracking for several days. Upon slaying the leopard, he took its pelt as a cloak. The Hidayian leopards typically run and hide when humans enter their territory and sightings are rare. During a particularly harsh winter, the leopards are known to prey on livestock which puts them into direct conflict with humans. As shy creatures, the Hidayian leopards rarely hunt when a human is nearby, preferring to wait until nightfall and then drag their prey away to eat in a safer location.