Straddling the border between northeastern China and the Russian Far East, the Amur-Heilong region contains one the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world, and is a key habitat for the critically endangered Amur leopard and tiger. WWF is working to ensure that these species and many others are protected in this vast yet fragile environment.
Amur-Heilong River Basin
Amur floodplain, Russian Far East.
A river runs through it
The Amur River is one of the longest rivers in Asia, flowing thousands of kilometres from the steppes of Mongolia through the untamed wilderness of China and Russia and ending at the Strait of Tartary where it empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Surrounding the river, the Amur-Heilong ecoregion covers vast areas of grasslands and forests, including some of the best-preserved temperate forests in the world.
These old-growth forests are home to tigers, leopards, brown bears, musk deer and many other species. Rich plant species include wild ginseng, long treasured for its medicinal uses.
These old-growth forests are home to tigers, leopards, brown bears, musk deer and many other species. Rich plant species include wild ginseng, long treasured for its medicinal uses.
Latest News & Publications
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Photos document success of prey recovery program for endangered Amur tigers
A group of captive-bred red deer that were released into a nature reserve in Northeast China’s Changbai Mountains four months ago have adapted to the area and successfully integrated with wild deer, ...
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Tiger killer given strong punishment
A Russian man convicted of killing an endangered Amur tiger has been sentenced to 14 months disciplinary labour and required to pay a fine of US$ 18,500. The perpetrator’s hunting rights have also ...
Land of the leopard, traces of tiger
Amur leopard.
With fewer than 35 left in the wild, the reclusive Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), also known as the Far East leopard, is considered one of the world’s most endangered big cats. Found mostly in the forests of Russia’s southwestern Primorskii Province, WWF is working to bring this species back from the brink of extinction.
The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Siberian tiger, is another cat species under threat. Although their numbers have increased from about 40 to 500 – thanks to vigorous conservation efforts – poaching and increased logging continue to affect their chances of survival.
The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Siberian tiger, is another cat species under threat. Although their numbers have increased from about 40 to 500 – thanks to vigorous conservation efforts – poaching and increased logging continue to affect their chances of survival.
Amur tiger.
Conservation results
It's not just the leopard and tiger under threat.
Habitat loss, logging, pollution and trade in other endangered wildlife all threaten the health of the entire Amur-Heilong area.
WWF is working with partners in Russia, China and Mongolia to achieve lasting conservation throughout the region. This includes programmes to reduce poaching, curb unsustainable and illegal logging, and protect key species through the creation of protected areas.
Major successes include:
WWF is working with partners in Russia, China and Mongolia to achieve lasting conservation throughout the region. This includes programmes to reduce poaching, curb unsustainable and illegal logging, and protect key species through the creation of protected areas.
Major successes include:
- Partnering with the government of Mongolia to establish the Onon-Balj National Park at the headwaters of the Amur- Heilong
- Working with hunting communities to protect deer and other ungulate – the main prey for endangered Amur tigers and leopards
- Assisting in achieving sustainable certification for millions of hectares of forests in the Russian Far East
- Re-routing the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline so vital leopard habitat would not be disturbed
Reversing the trend toward extinction is difficult but not impossible. We helped bring the tiger back from the brink and now it's the leopard's turn.
The Amur tiger and leopard and many other species depend on the health of the Amur-Heilong forests.
Location of the Amur-Heilong priority place
Key Contacts
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Olga Sass
Information center assistant
WWF Russia,
Amur Branch+7 4232 414868
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Eugene Simonov
Program Coordinator
WWF Russia,
Amur Branch
