Russia and North Korea are exploring a joint project to protect critically endangered Amur leopards that were once indigenous to the Korean Peninsula, an undertaking that one expert said could see Moscow help Pyongyang reintroduce the species to its territory.

Alexander Kozlov, the Russian minister of ecology and natural resources, said the two sides are currently “discussing” the wildlife conservation project, according to Russia’s RIA News Agency. 

“We have data on the presence of the Far Eastern (Amur) leopard in the territory of the DPRK,” Kozlov said, while adding that the exact number of leopards in North Korea remains unknown.