Extensive work has been done to preserve the Far Eastern leopard and it is no longer on the verge of disappearing, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov said   at an event to commemorate Nikolai Vorontsov on 25 April.

Sergei Ivanov reminded guests that in 2012, when Land of the Leopard National Park was established, there were only about 30 spotted cats left in the wild. The results of the last count showed a positive trend: now there were about 100 leopards, including cubs, at the park.

“The Far Eastern leopard is no longer on the verge of disappearing. While solving one problem, <…> we have created another one; this often happens. Now there is not enough space: too many felines and each one needs its own habitat. We are working on this; there is some progress,” Sergei Ivanov said.

The special presidential representative also noted that the Russian project to preserve the Far Eastern leopard was one of the world’s best examples of how to protect endangered species.

“Our Far Eastern leopard has become a good brand, one that is recognised not only in Russia, but abroad. Many scientists, environmentalists who protect the animal world (I mean foreigners), acknowledge that this project to preserve the Far Eastern leopard – and also the Amur tiger, by the way – is one of the world’s best examples in the field,” Sergei Ivanov commented.

Land of the Leopard National Park was established in the Primorye Territory by a Government decree, dated 5 April 2012. It protects about 70 percent of the habitat of the Far Eastern leopard, the rarest feline on the planet.