The body of a Far Eastern leopard was found on the territory of the Nezhinskoye Hunting Lease in Southwestern Primorsky Krai on February 15. A necropsy was performed on the leopard, a female pregnant with one cub, but results pertaining to cause of death were inconclusive. WCS is working with partners to help ensure needed samples are taken in order to further analyze the situation.

Experts estimate that only 30-40 Far Eastern leopards remain on the planet, and thus the loss of every individual is significant. Last winter one leopard was killed by an Amur tiger; in 2007 a female leopard was poached on the territory of Barsovyi federal wildlife refuge.

A number of environmental NGOs and government organizations are involved in Far Eastern leopard conservation and recovery efforts. Read more about WCS's activities here.