Nowadays the only viable population is left in a small area between Vladivostok and the Chinese border. In China and North Korea very few leopards remain. The Amur leopard is well adapted to the harsh climate of the Amur-Ussuri region. Apart from its long winter coat the Amur leopard is easily told apart from other leopard subspecies by its large rosettes. It also has longer legs, probably an adaptation for walking through snow.
Many specialists consider it to be the most beautiful leopard.
It certainly is a remarkable leopard, in some ways reminiscent of the snow leopard. The beauty of the leopard is something which can be disputed, but not its endangered status. The Russian population is estimated at 40 animals. The Amur leopard was studied in a small reserve named Kedrovaja Pad by a group of Russian and American scientists. Leopards were caught using spring traps.