WVI is to integrate support for the Amur tiger, the world’s largest big cat, in its current Amur leopard programme. The latest report from WVI vet Dr John Lewis highlights the need to expand our Amur leopard activity to include Amur tigers, which not only share both existing and planned future leopard habitat – but also similar disease risks:

“Over the past few years it has become apparent that there is considerable overlap in the veterinary support requirements for the conservation of the Amur leopard and Amur tiger in the Russian Far East. Although there are differences in degree, the infectious disease risks faced by both cats have been demonstrated to be similar (see Goodrich, Lewis et al 2012). Necessary local disease diagnostic requirements are almost identical and the training requirements of Russian biologists and vets dealing with either cat are largely the same. Many of the staff concerned are involved with both cats anyway. Whilst it remains the case that a reintroduction programme is only necessary for the Amur leopard, tigers are present in both the existing habitat of the leopard and in the proposed area for reintroduction. As a result, veterinary concerns for the two cats overlap even within a programme designed for just one.