Veterinary research to detect potentially dangerous infectious diseases for Amur tigers and Far Eastern leopards is underway for the first time at Land of the Leopard National Park. The work is organised together with the Federal Research Centre of East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 

Veterinarians primarily examine badgers and foxes, as a dangerous disease that occurs in these species can quickly infect other animals, including the rare tigers and leopards. “Preliminary assessment of the national park inhabitants’ health is very encouraging: the animals we have seen all appear healthy, active and well-nourished; they have every chance for a safe winter season,” said Nadezhda Sulikhan, junior researcher at the research centre.

Collected samples are analysed and then prepared to be sent to a veterinary laboratory where they are examined for any infectious disease markers.

Based on the research findings, scientists plan to develop a strategy for preventing disease outbreaks in animals.