The Amur Leopard is one of the most endangered species in the world with estimates of remaining population in the wild as low as 30. Obviously, conservation efforts need to be both immediate and effective.

Here is what is currently being done to ensure that the Amur Leopard does not become extinct.

The Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance

The Amur Tiger is being threatened by the same forces as the Amur Leopard; namely poaching and loss of habitat. Although the tigers are slowly increasing in numbers, the leopards are more endangered. The two species are grouped together because they share the same habitat in Russia’s Far East region.

The Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA) is a coalition consisting of national conservation groups from thirteen countries. Their focus is on the following initiatives:

• Ending poaching
• Fighting controlled forest fires
• Compensation to local villagers for livestock killed by leopards and tigers
• Education and awareness programmes
• Monitoring of the current population using tracking and cameras
• Research in ecology and biomedical options
• Enforced protection of habitat regions and hunting licenses
• Government lobbying efforts regarding policy and regulations
• Conservation efforts in China

Currently, ALTA is working within the border of Russia monitoring the area for poaching and attempting to keep it protected from further damage. Ongoing scientific research on the Amur Leopard is being performed. Other members of the group are in charge of lobbying and educational efforts.

Russian Government

In a March 2009 meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, the country’s Minister of Natural Resources urged that federal funds be used to introduce additional Amur Leopards into the existing population, presumably from captivity. This came on the heels of a sharp reduction in the number of law enforcement officers assigned to monitor poaching activity. Whilst that was a big blow to conservation efforts, the most recent news is a step in the right direction.

The Moscow Zoo is a major partner in a captive breeding programme instituted by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Currently there are more than 100 Amur Leopards in zoos, a vital part of providing new gene pools as well as educating the public and being the impetus for charitable contributions.

ZSL also maintains the Amur Leopard Programme website which provides news resources for zoos and the general public. Conservation efforts are funded by a grant from the Darwin Initiative Fund.

Russia’s Wildlife Conservation Society has also teamed up with Russian government authorities and the Primorskii State Academy of Agriculture to provide monitoring of the leopards’ health in an effort to reduce disease that may kill further Amur Leopards.

It is encouraging to realise that so many diverse organisations are working together to do what they can to preserve the Amur Leopard.

For more information find out about the work of ALTA and the Amur Leopard Breeding Programme.