Endangered Amur leopard population recovering

Changchun (CNS) --The Amur leopard, an endangered species even rarer than the Manchurian tiger, is beginning to show signs of recovering its population. It is confirmed that eight Amur leopards have settled in an area near the Sino-Russia border, according to a report from the provincial forestry department.

The population of Amur leopards has doubled since 1998. Jilin is home to one-fourth of the world's Amur leopard population.

"Thanks to joint efforts made by the government and some NGO's to protect the forest habitat and crack down on poaching, the big cat appears to be rebounding in China," said Jiang Jinsong, an official from the forestry department.

Jiang said the China National Forestry Bureau, World Wildlife Fund and World Wildlife Conservation Society conducted a survey upon the Amur leopard from November 2011 to this April.

The survey, which covered around 2,000 square kilometers, indicated that six female leopards, two male leopards and one cub are living in the province. It also identified 12 of the leopard's key habitats.