Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is one of the world's most endangered big cats, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. Native to the temperate forests of Russia's Far East and Northeast China, this rare subspecies has adapted to snowy climates with its thick, spotted fur. Poaching, habitat loss, and climate change have pushed it to the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts including anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection offer hope, but its critically endangered status makes every surviving Amur leopard precious. Their solitary nature and incredible camouflage skills make sightings exceptionally rare.