Hyrcanian

Noble yet untamed,

A feline known by many names
Bright pelage, cinnamon stripes,
Predominant in size


Caucasus southeast
The Caspian sea,

As far as the Altai --
This is where his race reigned supreme


Hyrcanian -- rang a solemn tone
Hyrcanian -- until overthrown


The biggest of his kind
Out of sight, not out of mind


Amu-Darya his last retreat,
Then his extinction was complete
Claims of him being sighted still

No-one proves, no-one will

Reckless abandon,

Colonization,
Habitat waning --
All this led to extermination


Hyrcanian -- rang a solemn tone
Hyrcanian -- until overthrown


The biggest of his kind
Out of sight, not out of mind