A North China leopard, distinguished by its unique black rosettes, has recently been spotted in the Yinheshan Provincial Nature Reserve in Fuping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, just 160 kilometers from Beijing's administrative boundary. This marks a significant step toward the species' long-awaited return "home," after an absence of nearly 30 years.

Image of a North China leopard captured by an infrared camera

As the only leopard subspecies found exclusively in China, the North China leopard is internationally known as the "Chinese leopard". It is a globally rare and endangered species that is listed as a first-class nationally protected wild animal in China. Since it was last recorded in Miyun, Beijing, in 1995, the North China leopard has been absent from Beijing's forests for exactly 30 years.

Beyond its symbolic significance in maintaining ecological balance, the North China leopard's population dynamics directly reflect the overall health of the ecosystem, making it an important indicator species for biodiversity conservation.

Image of a North China leopard captured by an infrared camera

To support the return of the North China leopard, Beijing, Hebei, and Shanxi are implementing a three-step plan (short-term, medium-term, and long-term) to create forest habitats conducive to the survival and reproduction of the North China leopard and other wild animals. The aim is to promote the growth of the North China leopard population and build a "protection-development" virtuous cycle model, ultimately achieving the dual goals of stable reproduction of the North China leopard population and regional sustainable development.

(Source: Beijing Youth Daily)