The Amur leopard is a critically endangered subspecies of leopard found in far eastern Russia, with a population of less than 100. It has adapted a pale coat and widely spaced rosettes to camouflage itself in the snowy Siberian forests. WWF is working to protect the Amur leopard through anti-poaching efforts, monitoring the population, and establishing protected areas like Land of the Leopard National Park to help save this rare big cat.

1. A M U R L E O P A R D

2. F A C T S
Usually, when people think of leopards, they often think
about leopards in the African savannah, but in the far east
of Russia a very rare subspecies has adapted to live in the
harsh climate of Siberia. The Amur leopard (panthera
pardus orientalis) is one of the most critically endangered
animals in the world with a population less than 100. Just
like other leopards, the amur leopard can run at speeds of
around 60 kmph. This incredible animal has been reported
to leap more than 19 feet horizontally and up to 10 feet
vertically.

3. C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S O F T H E
A M U R L E O P A R D
The Amur leopard is solitary, nimble-footed and strong. It
carries and hides unfinished kills so that they are not taken
by other predators. It has been reported that some males stay
with females after mating and may even help with rearing the
young. Several males sometimes follow and fight over a
female. They live for 10-15 years in the wild. In captivity they
live up to 20 years. It weighs around 30-50 kg. It lives in
temperate, broadleaf and mixed forests. The Amur leopard is
also known as the Far East leopard, Manchurian leopard etc.

4. A D A P T A T I O N S O F A M U R
L E O P A R D
The Amur leopard is adapted to the very
cold climate by having thick fur which grows
up to 7.5 cm long in winter. For camouflage
in the snow, their coat is paler than other
leopard subspecies. The Amur leopard's
rosettes are widely spaced and larger than
those seen on other leopards.

5. W H Y D O E S T H E A M U R
L E O P A R D M A T T E R ?
The Amur leopard is important ecologically,
economically and culturally. Conservation of its habitat
benefits other species, including Amur tigers and prey
species like deer. With the right conservation efforts, we
can bring them back and ensure long-term conservation
of the region. Amur leopards are top predators in their
landscape, so they’re crucial for keeping the right balance
of species in their area.
Amur Leopard
Amur Tiger

6. T H R E A T S T O A M U R
L E O P A R D S
The Amur leopard is poached largely for its beautiful, spotted fur. In
1999, an undercover investigation team recovered a female and a male
Amur leopard skin, which were being sold for $500 and $1,000
respectively in the village of Barabash, not far from the Kedrovaya
Pad reserve in Russia. Agriculture and villages surround the forests
where the leopards live. As a result, the forests are relatively
accessible, making poaching a problem—not only for the leopards
themselves, but also for important prey species, such as Siberian roe
deer, sika deer and Siberian hare, which are hunted by the villagers
both for food and cash.
Siberian Roe Deer
Siberian Hare

7. W H A T W W F I S D O I N G
Stopping Poaching and Trade
With such a small population left, the loss of
each Amur leopard puts the species at greater
risk of extinction. WWF supports
antipoaching work in all Amur leopard habitat
in the Russian Far East and in known leopard
localities in northeast China. WWF
implements programs to stop the illegal trade
in Amur leopard parts.
Monitoring Population
WWF monitors Amur leopard populations
and its habitat. WWF camera traps have
often yielded amazing results, allowing the
world to catch a glimpse of the world’s
rarest wild cat. WWF is also working to
increase population of Amur leopard prey
like, Siberian roe deer, sika deer etc.
Amur-Heilong Landscape
(Habitat of Amur Leopard)

8. W H A T W W F I S D O I N G
Amur leopards received a haven in 2012 when
the government of Russia declared a new
protected area, named Land of the Leopard
National Park, this marked a major effort to
save the Amur leopard. Extending nearly
650,000 acres it includes all the Amur leopard’s
breeding areas and about 60 percent of the
leopard’s remaining habitat. The park is also
home to 10 endangered Amur tigers.