Leopard population rising amid protection efforts

TAIYUAN — A healthy North China leopard was recently spotted in the wild in Shanxi province, further confirming the increasing population and expanded activity range of this rare species.

The North China leopard is one of the world's nine subspecies of leopards. Its population is mainly distributed in northern China, with the total population across the country estimated to be fewer than 400.

In the past, the leopard was widely distributed in the Taihang Mountain area. Today, however, its population is fragmented, with each cluster containing fewer than 50 animals.