I found this in my desktop the other day. I wrote this composition when I was in form 4. Wow.. that’s 5 years ago now. Just thought of sharing with you what I wrote 5 years ago. Hahaha… Hey, I don’t write much nowadays.. Yayaya I know I know, I should start again. ENJOY..!
THE LEOPARD
Few animals are as mysterious as the leopard. A member of the feline family, the leopard is regarded as “the most beautiful of the large cats”. True to its title, it is beautiful in appearance and graceful in its movements. The leopard weighs 125 pounds or more and is on an average over 2 feet tall at the shoulder and 7 feet from its nose to its tail tip. There are black spots arranged in rosettes on its tawny coats which contribute to its handsome looks. Its luminous green eyes, equipped with a special layer of cells – the tapetum – gives it extraordinary night vision. The leopard’s rapid breathing serves as an efficient cooling system. By panting up 150 times a minute, moisture evaporates from its tongue, mouth and nasal passages.
The leopard can be found in deserts and forests; in mountains and at sea level; in lands as diverse as Africa, Southern Asia, Middle and Far East. Despite human encroachment on much of the leopard’s habitat, scientists estimate that there are nearly a million of them in Africa and
Asia alone. Even so, for centuries, the leopard eluded serious scientific study. For example, the Sinai leopard was long considered extinct until recently rediscovered in the wilderness of Judea.
How does the leopard escape human notice? It does so by being primarily a nocturnal beast, and an exceedingly stealthy and secretive one at that. In places where man poses a threat, the leopard is cautiously silent. Only when angered will it emit threatening lionlike growls and coughs. Under normal circumstances, its vocalisation is far less intimidating. Being a solitary animal, the leopard stakes out a claim of personal territory which covers from 10 to 15 square miles. It sprays secretion from special glands in its body to delineate the boundaries of its home range. To protect its looting from scavengers, it stores its larger kills in the fork of a tree, some 30 to 40 feet above the ground. The leopard tends to be shy and retiring and will avoid every possible confrontation with man. In addition, the leopard is an adaptable creature. This can be seen by its various habitats.
Sadly, the number of leopards is decreasing over the years. This species is threatened by extinction. Take for an example the snow leopard. It is listed as an endangered species with an estimate of 3500 to 7000 snow leopards left. Poachers have contributed towards the reduction of their population as their greed for leopard’s fur increases. Leopard fur is used in the fashion industries as it gives adequate warmth and fashionable style. Besides that, when the leopard is found endangering the livestock, farmers seek to kill them. In countries such as China, the leopard is hunted to prepare traditional medicine for certain ailments.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, certain measures have been taken to preserve these precious inhabitants of the earth. The snow leopard, for instance, is quite successfully bred by the Helsinki Zoo, Finland. In fact, in 1976, this facility was assigned to keep the international studbook of the snow leopard. The studbook contains all the details of this particular species. Zoos are responsible to inform the studbook keeper of births, deaths and transfers of the leopards. The studbook is also used to select suitable breeding partners for captive animals. Game reserves, such as the Masai Mara Game Reserves in Kenya, have been set up to conserve these wildlife. Laws have been enforced in striving to curb poaching of the leopard. Fur farms have been set up to accommodate the thirst of fashion.
Based on the facts presented, we can rightly conclude that the leopard is indeed a magnificent creature. Truly, the leopard makes a lasting impression in our minds and gives credit to the wisdom and power of a Grand Creator.
