Monitoring and patrolling

Implementing Partner:

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Project Name:

Protecting and connecting Amur leopards and tigers.

Goal:

The project aims to recover and maintain stable, genetically diverse populations of Amur tigers and
leopards within the historical range of both big cats.

• Objective 1: Improve patrol quality at protected areas and private hunting concessions across tiger and leopard ranges through SMART.
• Objective 2: Collect baseline information on tiger, leopard, and prey connectivity across a major highway barrier. This information will:
  • Strengthen our arguments to decision-makers.
  • Allow for assessment of the impact of future conservation interventions over the next 1-2 years.

Background:

For over three decades, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has worked to recover Amur tigers and leopards in key habitats across their range.

Through this project, wildlife management efforts enhanced by implementing SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool), a globally recognised system for improving law enforcement efficiency. By providing training, equipment, and performance-based incentives for rangers, we are strengthening conservation efforts in key protected areas and expanding the use of SMART to additional landscapes.

A crucial part of this work involves reconnecting fragmented populations. A major transportation corridor currently restricts movement between habitats, leading to genetic isolation. While some wildlife crossings exist, they remain ineffective under certain conditions. Without improved connectivity, these big cats face continued risks of inbreeding and population decline. By identifying viable solutions and advocating for ecological corridors, this project aims to secure a future where Amur tigers and leopards thrive in interconnected landscapes.

Long-term monitoring remains a key aspect of our approach, ensuring conservation actions are guided by robust scientific data. Population surveys help assess whether protection measures are stabilising or increasing tiger and leopard numbers, while also equipping wildlife managers with the latest best-practice methodologies.

By addressing both immediate threats and long-term challenges, this initiative supports the recovery and persistence of Amur tigers and leopards in the wild. WildCats Conservation Alliance, in collaboration with WCS, is committed to ensuring these iconic species continue to roam their natural habitats for generations to come.

You can see the previous WCS projects funded by WildCats in our Archive

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