Caucasian leopard campaign launched by WWF and Marriott Armenia...

(This rare photo of an endangered Caucasian leopard in southern Armenia was provided courtesy of World Wildlife Fund)

World Wildlife Funded has posted an announcement about a campaign to support the protection of the endangered Caucasian leopard. Guests at the Marriott in Armenia are being asked to donate $1 for every night of their stay during the month of September.

Proceeds from the campaign will support anti-poaching units that patrol the leopard’s habitat in southern Armenia. This will include the purchase of fuel for patrol cars, ranger uniforms, and other items necessary to combat illegal poaching, according to the WWF release.

The Caucasus leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) is the most critically endangered species in the Caucasus ecoregion. According to WWF, only about 20 of these leopards are left in the Lesser Caucasus and Talish mountains, and it is believed that there are 5-8 leopards in southern Armenia.