Wild Amur Leopard Conservation and Welfare

The Amur leopard is the world's rarest wild cat with fewer than 100 individuals remaining, making every individual's welfare critical to species survival.

Key Facts

The Amur leopard population in the wild has grown from 30 to approximately 100 individuals since 2007
They inhabit temperate forests along the Russia-China border in Primorsky Krai
Prey depletion from poaching of roe deer and sika deer is a primary threat
Camera trap networks now cover most of the species' range enabling individual identification
Land for Leopard National Park was created in 2012 protecting key habitat

Welfare Considerations

With fewer than 100 wild individuals, every Amur leopard's welfare is of exceptional significance for species survival. Leopards in depleted prey environments experience periods of food stress and must travel greater distances to hunt, increasing energy expenditure and conflict risk. Snaring targeting deer and wild boar accidentally catches leopards causing severe injuries. Each individual matters enormously - a single snaring death represents a meaningful loss to the global population and considerable suffering to an individual with a complex ecological role.

What You Can Do

Support WWF Russia and Wildlife Conservation Society programs protecting Amur leopard habitat
Donate to anti-poaching ranger programs in Primorsky Krai
Advocate for continued prey species recovery programs that support the entire ecosystem
Support the Land for Leopard National Park through conservation organizations
Engage with wildlife trade monitoring to prevent Amur leopard parts from entering illegal markets