China and Russia to protect big cats

BEIJING, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Russian and Chinese officials have agreed to set up a wildlife reserve to save endangered Siberian tigers and Amur leopards.

The agreement, signed in northwestern China, will protect the animals from hunters and, hopefully, increase the number of wild tigers by the year 2022, RIA Novosti reported Sunday.

The countries also agreed to a joint research program and improved communication, the report said.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates the Siberian tiger population at about 500, with 20 known to be living in China.