Scientists in Far East See Spots

©WCS

In a remote corner of the Russian Far East, scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have once again crossed paths with an Amur leopard, the rarest big cat on the planet. Together with conservationists from the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Biology and Soils and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), they captured the female leopard in a remote location in southwest Primorye. There, with high-tech tools in tow, the veterinary team tranquilized the cat and checked her health before releasing her back into the taiga. With a population estimated between 24 and 32, Amur leopards are teetering on the brink of extinction.

“Catching this female was a big step forward in our efforts to understand the status of this population, and to better define necessary conservation actions,” said co-leader of the conservation project John Goodrich, a WCS researcher.

Amur leopards’ last remaining range, near the Chinese border with the Russian Far East, is restricted by human activity. Given the cats’ very small number, scientists believe inbreeding is likely occurring. They are currently investigating whether inbreeding is having damaging effects on the population so that they can plan conservation action for the future. WCS and ZSL are working with local organizations to launch a wildlife health monitoring program for leopards and other wildlife in the region.  

Initial findings from the veterinary examination show the presence of a heart murmur, which could be indicative of inbreeding. Using a portable sonogram device, the team managed to capture footage of the leopard’s heart, which they sent out for review by heart specialists. Still to come are test results concerning the cat’s reproductive condition as well as any illnesses or parasites she may have.

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