22 May 2007 - Sochi, Russia
– WWF has launched a major reintroduction
project that will see the critically endangered
Persian leopards, virtually extinct in Russia,
thrive once again in its former habitat
in the country’s Northern Caucasus region.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana),
once widespread throughout this mountainous
region between the Black and Caspian Seas,
saw its numbers decline drastically by the
20th century due to poaching and habitat
loss. It is believed that only a few leopards
now inhabit the area.
“The number of leopards here is too small
for the species to reproduce itself,” said
Igor Chestin, WWF-Russia’s CEO. “Only reintroduction
can help return the species to the Northern
Caucasus.”
Supported by the Russian Ministry of Natural
Resources and local businesses, WWF will
construct specially-made pens in Sochi National
Park for several leopards currently in captivity
from throughout the country. The offspring
of these leopards will become part of a
new founder population for the region.
“The goals we have set are challenging
and the stakes are high, but we are glad
that our idea of re-introducing the leopard
in the Russian Caucasus has received support,”
Chestin added.
In addition to leopards to the Russian
Caucasus, WWF plans to restore deer populations
to the region — the leopard’s main prey
— and reinforce anti-poaching activities.
END NOTES:
• The WWF Persian leopard project is one
of the first conservation projects in Russia
to be mostly sponsored by Russian businesses,
which includes Russian mobile operator Vympelcom
(Beeline) and the Roza Khutor ski resort.
Darya Kudryavtseva, Press Officer
