The world’s largest centre for the conservation of the Far Eastern leopard opened in the village of Barabash, Primorye Territory, on 20 September. It is located in the new central compound of Land of the Leopard National Park.

The opening ceremony was attended by Yelena Gangalo, general director of the Far Eastern Leopards autonomous non-profit organisation, Tatyana Baranovskaya, director of Land of the Leopard, Governor of the Primorye Territory Vladimir Miklushevsky and Head of the Khasan District Sergei Ovchinnikov. Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov sent a message of congratulations.

“The construction of the centre lasted three years. Finally, we have built it. Due to the support at all levels, it has become a wonderful, high-quality and cutting-edge facility. It is also an example of import substitution: 50 percent of all construction materials are Russian-made, and Russian designers worked on it. The centre will accommodate research fellows and tourists; eco-trails will be developed here,” Yelena Gangalo said.

The new facility occupies an area of five hectares and comprises an administrative building, a research complex, an emergency response headquarters, a garage for the vehicle fleet, a museum, a residential building for staff and tourists, a conference hall and a lecture space. The compound is surrounded by a park with green areas in the shape of a giant leopard paw; in one of these areas is a playground.

“The new centre will become a benchmark for new research and environmental achievements. We will be able to provide adequate working conditions for scientists from all over the world. At the same time, the compound is a cultural and educational centre of sorts, where people can learn everything about the nature of the southern Primorye Territory,” Tatyana Baranovskaya said.

Governor of Primorye Vladimir Miklushevsky also emphasised the importance of the new centre. He said that together with research and environmental goals the new complex will play an educational role. “It is important to develop a love for nature in childhood, and this facility provides all the necessary conditions for that. Another goal is ecotourism; its popularity has been growing all over the world,” he said.

Young friends of Land of the Leopard – school students from the Khasan District – prepared a programme of performances. After the opening ceremony, a tour around the new centre was held. Visitors were shown the Land of the Leopard museum’s first exhibition, dedicated to the history of all nature reserves and national parks of Primorye and the research on rare animal and plant species of the region. Part of the exhibition is devoted to each of the Far Eastern leopards that have been spotted in the five years of the park’s activity.

Eco-friendly materials were used to build the Land of the Leopard central compound. The complex has its own gas boiler room, a diesel generator and fully autonomous fire extinguishing and waste treatment systems.