SHANGHAI, July 29. /TASS/. The Amur leopard population in Russia and China has increased sixfold over the past 20 years, as there are now 223 of the big cats out there, according to the press service of VTB, a bank that sponsors the Red Data Book big cats.

"The sixfold growth of this rare species' population results from the attention and involvement of the professional community, financial support from major companies, and a caring attitude toward Russia's natural heritage," said Pyotr Shpilenok, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the Management Board at VTB, as stated by the press service.

At least 223 Amur leopards have been recorded in the "Land of Big Cats" reserve, according to Russian and Chinese scientists. Of these, 135 were spotted in Russia's "Land of the Leopard" National Park, and 115 in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, with 27 individuals classified as transboundary, meaning they are recorded in both countries.

In the early 2000s, there were only about 35 wild Amur leopards left in the world. On May 16, 2024, in Beijing, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, an agreement was signed to create the world's first transboundary reserve for the Amur leopard and the Amur tiger the "Land of Big Cats," which united the protected areas. Its total area covers 1.8 million hectares.

VTB serves as a sponsor in the "Leopard Guardians" program run by the "Land of the Leopard" reserve directorate. The bank sponsors a big cat family that includes a female named Gerda and her cubs Phoenix, Sierra, and Fusion.