In September, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin launched an initiative aimed at restoring the population of the Central Asian Leopard (Panthera pardus ssp. Saxicolor) in Russia's Caucasus region. Mr Putin personally placed two male leopards into an enclosure where they will soon be accompanied by females. At a government presidium meeting yesterday, he enquired about his leopard friends with Natural Resources Minister Yury Trutnev.
"They're okay, thank God. But they need some more money for food," the minister replied.
Mr Putin was clearly surprised, "Have they already eaten up their whole allowance?"
"Well, it's good to see they have a good appetite," he added, apparently deciding to grant the request. "All right."