Also known as the Far-East leopard or Siberian leopard, the Amur leopard is currently the rarest of the big cats. Only an approximate number of 25 to 34 remain in the wild.

Experts say that the leopard's diminishing numbers is caused by habitat slashing and poaching. Their natural habitat once ranged from the Russian Far East, North Korea, and northeastern China. But what sets it apart from the other leopards? The Amur have long legs that let it hunt in the deep snow and a long fur coat to withstand the cold.

The joint forces of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Russian Academy of Science, and Wildlife Conservation Society carried out the census which was done by checking the Amur's tracks in the snow covering around 1,930 square miles. Darron Collins, managing director of WWF had this to say: "We've known for some time that Amur leopard numbers were low. But this collaborative census demonstrates precisely how dangerously low the numbers are and how dire the overall situation is."

They also found four litters and hope that that is a sign that the leopard population is regenerating. Around a hundred leopards are needed to ensure that the species survive. Experts are now asking for help from the three countries that share the Amurs' natural habitat: China, North Korea, and Russia. Deputy head Oleg Mitvol of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources is spearheading the campaign. Reportedly, the Russian government has agreed to change the route of a planned oil pipeline so it'll avoid the leopard shrinking territories.

Reports also show that the Russian Ministry of Justice wants to take steps to remove the power of arresting and fining poachers from nature reserve officials. China on the other hand is currently considering lifting the domestic trade ban on tiger parts that are used in traditional medicine. Leopards are "often used as substitutes for Chinese remedies". Little is known about what steps North Korea will take, if any.

Let's hope the Amur leopard survives.