Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is the world’s rarest big cat, with an estimated 120–130 individuals remaining in the wild. Native to the temperate forests of the Russian Far East and northeastern China, it has been brought back from the brink of extinction through coordinated international conservation projects focused on protection, habitat restoration, and population recovery.

Key Projects Protecting the Amur Leopard

1. Land of the Leopard National Park (Russia)

  • Established in 2012, this park protects over 60% of the Amur leopard’s remaining habitat in Russia’s Primorsky Krai region.
  • Combines anti-poaching patrols, habitat management, and wildlife monitoring using camera traps and GPS tracking.
  • The park also safeguards populations of prey species like roe deer and sika deer, essential for leopard survival.
  • Managed by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with support from WWF-Russia and Phoenix Fund.

2. WWF Amur Leopard Conservation Program

  • The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)leads long-term projects to combat poaching, restore forests, and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
  • WWF supports local ranger teams, community education, and transboundary cooperation between Russia and China.
  • The program also promotes sustainable forestry and land use to prevent habitat fragmentation.

3. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park

  • Created in 2017, this massive park (over 14,000 square miles) connects leopard habitats across the China-Russia border.
  • Managed by the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration, it provides safe corridors for leopards and tigers to move and breed naturally.
  • The park integrates ecological restoration, prey reintroduction, and community relocation programs to reduce human pressure.

4. Amur Leopard Reintroduction and Genetic Research

  • Scientists from the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and WWF are studying the feasibility of reintroducing leopards to former habitats in Russia’s Sikhote-Alin region.
  • Genetic monitoring ensures diversity within the small population, using data from camera traps, scat analysis, and DNA sequencing.

Supporting Organizations

  • World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
  • Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
  • Phoenix Fund (Russia)
  • Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

The Broader Mission
The recovery of the Amur leopard is driven by landmark projects such as Land of the Leopard National Park and Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, supported by WWF and national governments. Through anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and cross-border cooperation, these efforts have transformed the Amur leopard from near extinction to a cautiously growing population in its native forests.