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Natural range loss limits the population growth of Asian big cats and may determine their survival. Over the past decade, we collected occurrence data of the critically endangered Amur leopard worldwide and developed a distribution model of the leopard’s historical range in northeastern China over the past decade. We were interested to explore how much current range area exists, learn what factors limit their spatial distribution, determine the population size and estimate the extent of potential habitat. Our results identify 48,252 km2 of current range and 21,173.7 km2 of suitable habitat patches and these patches may support 195.1 individuals. We found that prey presence drives leopard distribution, that leopard density exhibits a negative response to tiger occurrence and that the largest habitat patch connects with 5,200 km2of Russian current range. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the means by which endangered predators might be saved and survival prospects for the Amur leopard not only in China, but also through imperative conservation cooperation internationally.

The Moroccan town of Marrakesh is an important cultural and tourist destination. Thousands of visitors each day shop in the historic walled medina, where, besides clothes, carpets, curios and other items, wildlife is openly offered for sale. One species commonly traded is the Vulnerable spur-thighed tortoise Testudo graeca. In Morocco the species suffers from the effects of habitat destruction and alteration, and increased road density, and is expected to be affected negatively by projected future climate change. Up until the late s the species was legally exported from Morocco in the tens of thousands per year but since  it has been included on the country's protected species list, precluding all international and domestic trade.Znari et al. (, Journal of Arid Environments, , -) collected data from  shops in Marrakesh in July-August , recording  tortoises for sale; % were ,  cm in length and only % were large ($  cm) individuals. It appeared to them that the older, larger tortoises had been removed in the past and that in the early s smaller tortoises were taken to meet the demand for the pet trade. We recently had the opportunity to visit Marrakesh and reassess its tortoise trade. During seven visits in May-June , April-June and December  we recorded a total of  tortoises for sale. Tortoises were present during each survey, with fewest in June  ( tortoises) and more in June  ( tortoises) and December  ( tortoises). No seasonal pattern was apparent. The total number of shops selling tortoises was , with - having them on display at any given time. Typically vendors had small numbers on display, up to - tortoises, but at least three shops regularly had - tortoises in stock. All trade was open and no tortoises were kept hidden. As in  the majority of spur-thighed tortoises were small and two-thirds were c. - cm in length, corresponding to ages of c. - years. Circa % were large individuals, probably .  years of age. Asking prices varied with size and between vendors but  cm tortoises could be bought for USD . and  cm tortoises for USD .. The mean asking prices for tortoises in this size range increases in a linear fashion, starting at USD . and increasing by USD . for every cm increase in carapace length.We conclude that little has changed in terms of the trade in spur-thighed tortoises in Marrakesh since , with apparently similar volumes of similar age-classes entering the trade, which retains its openness in blatant disregard of the law. New protected species legislation was adopted by the Moroccan parliament in  but has yet to be brought into effect. This new legislation should provide more clarity and allows for greater punitive measures for trading in protected animals. Once adopted we hope that this will allow a new start for stronger enforcement actions and ultimately end the open trade of spur-thighed tortoises in Marrakesh and elsewhere in Morocco.

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