Donate now

Amur-Heilong forests

The Amur (or Heilong) river flows for 4,400km, starting in Mongolia and forming the border between China and Russia. Around it is a vast region of grasslands and forests, home to one of the world’s largest cats, the Amur tiger, and the rarest - the Amur leopard, fewer than 40 of which are left in the wild.

Amur leopard, snarling in snow.

Why we’re involved

The Amur’s mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests are full of life - they’re home to more species than almost any temperate forests in the world, including some iconic wildlife.

As well as the 400 or so Amur (‘Siberian’) tigers, mostly found in Russia’s Sikhote-Alin mountain range, and the critically endangered Amur leopards, you’ll also find:

  • the world’s largest salmon, the Siberian taimen
  • flocks of oriental white stork and red-crowned crane
  • wild ginseng, long treasured for its medicinal uses
  • musk deer and brown bears
Much of the region is still largely unaltered, with vast areas of pristine habitats. But times are changing and the Amur-Heilong faces serious threats.

Amur tiger resting in a water puddle near Khor river. Amur region.

There’s intense pressure on the region’s forests from forest fires, infrastructure development and the global demand for wood and paper. Habitats are being lost and prey numbers are falling, affecting the region’s wildlife. Poaching is a problem too.

The Amur is one of the world’s longest undammed rivers, but there are plans for building hydroelectric dams to meet the rising demand for electricity in China. Dams would alter the rivers natural patterns and could threaten many migratory fish species, including the taimen.

How we’re helping

We’re working with governments and other partners to look after the long-term future of the Amur-Heilong region and the species it supports. Our work includes…

  • Establishing protected and connected habitat for species such as leopards and tigers so they have secure places to live and breed, and can move safely between them.
  • Supporting the prey species that tigers and leopards feed on - for example, by providing additional food for deer during harsh winters, vaccinating wild boar against disease and working with local wildlife managers on more sustainable practices.
  • Combating the illegal trade of wildlife products - for example, we work with TRAFFIC (the wildlife trade monitoring network) to provide training to the public and customs agencies.
  • Helping to strengthen and increase anti-poaching patrols.
  • Tackling unsustainable and illegal logging, with the help of our Global Forest & Trade Network. The network works globally and locally to support trade between companies committed to responsible forestry.

Deciduous forest, Amur region

In 2010, we helped persuade the Russian government to ban the logging of Korean pine - which forms part of critical forest habitat for Amur tigers and leopards, and provides important food for prey species. Some local communities now harvest pine nuts as an alternative, sustainable source of income.

As with all our work, our aim is to strike a balance between the needs of people and nature.