Vladivostok's 'Leopard Day' celebrates Amur leopard's remarkable recovery from near extinction
Vladivostok's 'Leopard Day' celebrates Amur leopard's remarkable recovery from near extinction
Vladivostok's 'Leopard Day' celebrates Amur leopard's remarkable recovery from near extinction
Vladivostok celebrated its annual 'Leopard Day' festival on May 3, 2023, at Admiral Fokin Square. The event highlighted conservation successes and cross-border efforts to protect the endangered Amur leopard, whose population has grown from just 30-35 in the early 2000s to 120 today. The festival kicked off with leopard-themed animators, live performances, and a warm-up session inspired by the big cats. Local bakery Vladkhleb treated attendees to specialities like Medovik cake with ginseng and Medalka cake.
Victor Bardyukov, director of the Land of the Leopard Federal State Institution, spoke about the Amur leopard’s vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Maria Okulova, the deputy director, also discussed ongoing cross-border conservation projects with China, including the 'Friendship Leopards' initiative. This programme aims to connect residents on both sides of the border with the predators living in the Land of Big Cats transboundary reserve. The event featured a cultural exchange with artists from China’s Tiger and Leopard Museum in Hunchun. Ten lucky winners took home prizes, while two secured spots in the LeoRun 2026 trail half-marathon. Organisers credited the Land of the Leopard National Park and scientific research for the species’ recovery, which has seen its numbers triple over two decades.
The festival showcased both conservation progress and community engagement. With the Amur leopard’s population now at 120, efforts continue to strengthen international cooperation and public awareness. The next LeoRun in 2026 will further highlight the region’s commitment to protecting these rare big cats.