The wolf was first discovered on the territory of the "Land of the Leopard" in southern Primorye

Previously, wolves were not recorded here due to the highest density of their direct competitor, the Amur tiger.

The gray wolf is practically not found in the south-west of Primorsky Krai, although it is a typical species for the region. An unexpected guest was first discovered in the extreme south of the territory of the "Land of the Leopard" national park.

For the last time, permanently living wolves were noted in the center of the region in the 1970s, and in its extreme north in the 1990s.

"This is due to the fact that southern Primorye has the highest density of the Amur tiger, as well as the world's only population of the rarest Far Eastern leopard, for which the wolf is a food competitor. The extermination of the wolf by humans in the past played a role," the national park said.

However, this year, an adult wolf was photographed in the extreme south of the "Land of the Leopard". A large animal came out onto a country road and confidently moved right along it. Rare photographs and video footage were taken by a drone while monitoring the fire situation by employees of the Border Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Primorsky Territory, who handed over the materials to scientists.

Experts suggest that the predator came to the southern part of the national park from the north, from the Ussuri urban district. However, it is still impossible to talk about the return of wolves to the south of Primorye. If relatives of the imprinted predator are not seen here within the next months, it will be possible to consider that this is an accidental entry of a lone wolf. Among wolves there are wandering individuals who independently search for suitable habitats.