Government Declares 2019 as the Year of the Caucasian Leopard

The year 2019 has been declared the Year of the Caucasian Leopard. This decision was made by the Government of Armenia.

“During 2019, a number of activities are planned, including issuing a stamp themed around the Caucasian Leopard, organizing an international conference on the Caucasian Leopard, filming a documentary about Armenia's biodiversity, and organizing relevant exhibitions,” said Acting Minister of Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan at a cabinet meeting.

According to him, in 2018, the video traps of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) captured the first-ever images of a Caucasian leopard in the territory of the Khosrov Forest Reserve, which is included in the Red Book of Armenia and the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List as a species at risk of extinction.

Currently, there are 7-9 leopards registered in Armenia, residing in the Ararat, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions.

The leopard conservation program is being implemented by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia in collaboration with WWF.