A rare North Chinese leopard was spotted in northern China's Shijiazhuang City on November 8.

Wildlife expert An Chunlin from the Hebei Provincial Forestry and Grassland Survey, Planning and Design Institute has confirmed the individual as an adult North Chinese leopard.

An Chunlin explains that the North Chinese leopard, one of the nine subspecies of the leopard, is endemic to northern China. Historically widespread in the Taihang Mountain area, especially around Tuoliang, the species faced near extinction due to expanding human activities and environmental changes.

However, thanks to significant ecological projects like reforestation and sandstorm control in Beijing and Tianjin, the habitat in Tuoliang has seen a remarkable recovery.

Since 2019, over 50 sightings of the North Chinese leopard have been recorded in Tuoliang, with an estimated population of 4 to 5 individuals. These frequent sightings indicate a stable and growing population of this unique subspecies in Hebei, showcasing the positive impact of conservation initiatives on the region's wildlife and natural habitats.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

近日，河北省林业和草原局工作人员进行重点保护陆生野生动物监测时，在河北石家庄驼梁再次发现华北豹身影。这是今年入冬以来，河北太行山一带首次记录到华北豹影像。
　“此次拍摄到华北豹影像的相机布设在该保护区海拔1800多米处，视频中的华北豹，虽然一闪而过，但依然可以清晰看到它健硕的体态。”河北省林业和草原调查规划设计院野生动物专家安春林表示，这次监测到的个体是一只成年华北豹，食物链中“顶级捕食者”的出现，说明河北驼梁国家级自然保护区生态环境质量改善，生物多样性丰富。
安春林说，华北豹是全球9个金钱豹亚种之一，主要分布于中国华北地区，是中国特有的金钱豹亚种。华北豹历史上曾广泛分布于太行山区域，特别是驼梁一带，后因人类活动范围扩大，生态资源环境变迁，华北豹几乎绝迹。
据介绍，随着退耕还林、京津风沙源治理等一系列生态工程的实施，驼梁林草覆盖率达到90%，加之近年来河北野生动植物保护力度不断加大，华北豹多次现身。2019年至今，已累计在驼梁拍摄到华北豹50多次，个体数约为4只到5只，说明该物种在河北的种群数量较为稳定，栖息地范围不断扩大。