Conservationists have welcomed the Russian government's decision to strengthen laws protecting the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), the world's most endangered big cat, from extinction. Fines for poaching will be increased to
100 times the nation's annual minimum wage.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/sci_nat_enl_1178223408/html/1.stmCompare this to: "Poachers can sell a dead Amur leopard for up to $37 000. If caught, they risk a fine of just $800, according to Russia’s ecological watchdog Rosprirodnadzor."
(from
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2007/04/24/leopard.shtml)
ETA: earlier posts on Amur leopard
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=115&topic_id=93386http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2819433http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=115&topic_id=92749