New tiger and leopard reserve created
Image - opencage.info
The Russian government has created a new protected reserve in the Far East of the country to preserve the habitat of the Critically Endangered Amur Leopard and the similarly Endangered Amur Tiger. The new national park spans approximately 1,000 square miles and has already acquired the name 'Land of the Leopard'.
The Amur (or 'Siberian') Tiger is believed to number approximately 500 specimens in the wild, and it is known that tigers routinely cross the nearby border into China. The Amur Leopard, however, is only believed to survive in the wild in a small region between the Chinese Jilin Province and the Sea of Japan, and population estimates only number in the region of 30 live specimens. Poaching of both species is a chronic problem.
Commenting, Wildlife Conservation Society Deputy Director for Asia Peter Zahler said “The creation of this park greatly increases the amount of land protecting critical populations of two of the world's big cats, and it will go a long way to securing their future. We look forward to continuing to provide whatever support is requested to help conserve tigers and leopards in the region."
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