Far Eastern leopards are exploring new territories in Primorye

The press service of the national park "Land of the Leopard" reported that the presence of a Far Eastern leopard was confirmed for the first time in the Oktyabrsky municipal District of the Primorsky Krai. Experts carefully checked the reports of local residents about encounters with the predator, found its tracks and captured the beast using a camera trap.

The leopard was recorded dozens of kilometers north of the population core in the national park. The analysis of the obtained images showed the reliability of scientists' assumptions that the spotted pioneer is a young dispersing male. Experts identified the pattern of spots on his skin and revealed that the predator, being a kitten, was marked on the "Land of the Leopard" in 2023. Now his age is from 1.5 to 2 years old.

"During the investigation of this unusual case, experts also confirmed the hypothesis formed over decades of studying Far Eastern leopards in the wild: large rivers are an insurmountable obstacle for rare cats. The Razdolnaya River, on the right bank of which a young male spent several days searching for a crossing, is the largest watercourse in southern Primorye. An inspection of the leopard's tracks showed that he did not dare to cross the main channel," the report says.

According to experts, young leopards are looking for ways to new lands, as the population density in protected areas has increased significantly. Razdolnaya River is an important test for spotted predators. It is currently unknown why exactly water barriers restrict the movement of animals.

Experts plan to continue checking reports from local residents about encounters with leopards or traces of their presence in the future. This is necessary, among other things, to search and survey potential ecological corridors for the settlement of animals that may follow the pioneer leopard.