A hormone test of a Far Eastern leopard and an Amur tiger’s excrement samples collected in Land of the Leopard National Park has shown that the animals feel comfortable. Experts aimed to assess the level of cortisol metabolites, the key stress hormone for the cat family, and a measurement of the animal’s well-being. The test was carried out by researchers of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences (IPEE RAS).

“The cortisol level shows the level of tension experienced by an organism and the need to use additional resources. Results of the analysis proved that in winter of 2014 – 2015 the predators obviously suffered no increased pressure connected with food supply constraints or unfavourable weather conditions. In general, the cortisol level in the samples under examination has been nearly the same for several years,” IPEE RAS leading researcher Sergei Naidenko said.

The results obtained from the test have revealed that both species of rare cats get enough food despite the growth of the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger populations and their sharing a common territory.

“The condition of leopards and tigers in the national park has already been observed via a camera trap. Now we have the laboratory evidence of their well-being, which indicates the stability of the situation and creates hope for the growth of the rare predators’ population,” Land of the Leopard National Park Director Tatyana Baranovskaya said.

Hormone tests of the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger’s excrement samples have been carried out in Land of the Leopard National Park since 2010. This past winter samples were sent to Moscow, per the current agreement with the Severtsov Institute.