Since September 2013 up to April 2014 WWF got camera trapped 14 photos of the Caucasian leopards. The analyses of the photos show that at least one male and two females live in the area for about a year. It gives hope that in 2014 the females will be able to deliver cubs which requires more attention and harder work to enforce the protection of these animals in the area. According to the camera trapped photos and field monitoring data the number of prey species (bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon) for the leopard has significantly been increased as well.
These achievements are the result of a long-term work carried out by WWF since 2002. It included enforcement of existing Protected Areas (Khosrov and Shikahogh Reserves), establishment of new Protected Areas (Arevik National Park, Zangezur and Khustup Sanctuaries) in the area of the main habitats of leopard through partnership with the Ministry of Nature Protection, UNDP, CNF, TJS, the State Environmental Inspectorate, Protected Areas, communities and partner NGOs.
In 2014 WWF will conduct regional and national workshops on the development of a new Regional Conservation Strategy for Leopard and based on it a new National Action Plan. Meantime, WWF will continue its cooperation with the partners on enforcement of Protected Areas system in Armenia as well as will work on consolidation of the Protected Areas ecological network in the south of the country through establishment of ecological corridors.
