A new research project carried out in Russia shows that conservational efforts in Russia have been successful. Siberian tigers are threatened due to hunting and loss of habitat, but the numbers of wild Siberian tigers have actually increased dramatically in Russia during the last two decades. During the 1940’s, the amount of wild Siberian tigers in Russia had decreased to no more than 24 known specimens. In 1994, this number had increased to 150-200 tigers and the most recent study reveals that this population seems to have done pretty well since then. Today there exists between 330 and 417 adult Siberian tigers in the region and during the count they cared for 97-112 cubs.

This new counting is the most extensive counting of Siberian tigers that have ever been performed in Russian and the researchers used skis as well as snowmobiles to reach the remote areas were Siberian tigers still dwell. The survey involved almost one thousand fieldworkers and was coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Russia program. Siberian tigers are very shy and it is necessary to spend a lot of time in the Russian forest to obtain reliable Siberian tiger information and true data regarding the Siberian tiger population. Studying the footprints that are left behind in the thick layers of snow is one way of obtaining new Siberian tiger information when the tigers prefer to stay hidden.

One of the reasons behind the successful Russian tiger conservation is probably the fact that the logging in the tiger habitats is selective instead of clear cutting. By cutting selectively, Russian foresters leave trees that are important for wild boar and other animals that the Siberian tigers need as prey. Some researches even suspect that this selective method of logging might help the Siberian tiger population to recover, since it opens up the forest and produces plenty of browse for deer, wild boar and similar animals. 

A problem with the logging is however that the roads that are being built to transport timber also provide hunters with a way of effortlessly travelling to this former inaccessible region. Poaching still poses a significant treat to the Siberian tiger population. Among the radio collared Siberian tigers, poaching is the most common cause of death. Siberian tiger coats are still popular souvenirs and purchased as interior decorations by unscrupulous collectors. Body parts from tigers are also extensively used in many traditional Chinese medicines.

More info on big and small wild cats:

Bengal Tigers
White Bengal Tigers
Royal Bengal Tigers
Bengal Tigers Facts
Jaguar Animal - Jaguar Cats
Black Jaguar (Animal)
Jaguar Animal Facts
Ocelot - Ocelot cat
Ocelot facts & Information
Siberian Tiger
White Siberian Tiger
Siberian Tiger Habitat
Siberian Tiger Fact
Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard Habitat
Snow Leopard Fact
Endangered Snow Leopard
White Tigers
White Bengal Tigers
White Siberian Tigers
Baby White Tigers