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The Russian Far East is home to 95% of the global population of Amur tigers, the most northerly tiger subspecies. Their numbers had fallen to as low as 50 individuals but the most recent rangewide survey now numbers them at approximately 540. This has been achieved by bringing in and toughening wildlife crime laws, improved anti-poaching activities and the creation of more Protected Areas. Improved conflict mitigation and improved rehabilitation of injured and orphaned cubs has also helped keep Amur tigers in the wild.

Primorsky Krai is also home to the Critically Endangered Amur leopard, which numbers approximately 70 individuals. On the brink of extinction for several decades, we are now seeing a rise in the population thanks again to the committed conservationists working so hard to protect them.

Current projects
Monitoring Amur Leopards in Southwest Primorskii Krai (WCS Russia)

This monitoring has been funded since 2013 and recently has seen the implementation of a more extensive network across habitat outside the national park and the establishment of a joint database which will be used in analyses of the total leopard population in Southwest Primorskii Krai.

SMART Protecting Amur Leopards and Tigers in Russia (WCS Russia)

This project supports the implementation of the SMART patrol monitoring programme in six National Parks to increase the effectiveness of antipoaching and protection in an area home to an important source population of Amur tigers.