Photo by beverlyjoubert / Locking eyes with a leopard can be an intense and humbling experience–especially when the gaze is as curious and intense as Nyika’s, a resident cat at Mara Nyika Camp in Kenya's Naboisho Conservancy. He may still be young, but Nyika is growing into the skilled and versatile predator he is destined to be. No other big cat can match the leopard when it comes to flexibility and adaptability–and it shows in its genetics. New research suggests African leopards have an exceptionally high genetic diversity compared to other top predators, and this is likely linked to their famously unfussy diet and ability to succeed in a range of habitats. Yet just because nature has shaped such an accomplished predator doesn’t mean the leopard's future success is guaranteed. The spotted cats are facing a growing number of threats to their survival–and without adequate protections, even these remarkably resilient animals will falter. #leopards #bigcats #bigcatconservation