The Amur leopard is one of the world's rarest cats, whose population has rebounded through intensive conservation in the Russian Far East.
The tiny population means every individual's welfare directly affects species survival. Poaching for fur and prey base depletion from hunting have historically caused starvation and direct mortality. Camera trap monitoring without capture reduces stress compared to earlier radio-collar programs. Recovery of prey species directly improves food security and welfare for leopards throughout their range.