17/06/2005 – Tiger numbers
in Russia are stable, according to the results
of the latest full range survey to count the
animals.
While stressing that results are preliminary,
tiger conservationists around the world say
the news is a welcome relief, espeically as
tiger numbers have decreased in other parts
of Asia.
After a thorough winter study to determine
distribution and abundance of tigers in the
Russian Far East, the last stronghold of the
Amur – or Siberian – tigers, researchers report
that between 334-417 adult tigers remain in
the region, along with 97-112 cubs.
To determine numbers of tigers in this remote,
densely forested land, researchers sent out
nearly one thousand fieldworkers to survey
the entire region where tigers are believed
to live. Some of them spent months in the
field and covered over 21,000 km of transects
by foot, ski, snowmobile, and car.
Though wary of people, and seldom seen, tigers
nonetheless leave evidence of their presence
with their massive footprints in the snow.
A total of 4,100 tracks were recorded, most
representing multiple tracks of a single individual.
Researchers mapped out the location of these
tracks, and then estimated a minimum number
of tigers, based on their size and distribution.
"This tiger survey represents a milestone
in cooperative, international conservation
efforts, with full political support from
both regional and national governmental bodies
of the Russian Federation, as well as financial
and technical support from the international
conservation community," said Dale Miquelle,
Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s
(WCS) Russia Programme, and overall coordinator
for the project.
The project was funded not only by Russia’s
Ministry of Natural Resources, but by a host
of international organizations, led by Save-the-Tiger
Fund, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Rhinoceros
and Tiger Conservation Fund (both from the
US), Britain’s 21st Century Tiger, and WWF.
The last winter survey, conducted in 1996,
reported 330-371 adult tigers, with 85-105
cubs.
"The difference in results between 1996
and this survey is not due to a change in
numbers, but simply reflects the additional
effort we made to survey the entirety of tiger
range," said Dimitri Pikunov, coordinator
of the survey in Primorye, and a well-known
tiger specialist.
"Coordinators agree that this survey
represents the most extensive effort to date
to count tigers in Russia."
Tiger conservationists around the world were
buoyed by these results, especially since
India, once considered the greatest stronghold
for tigers, is now under pressure after recent
reports of tigers disappearing from some of
their core tiger reserves.
"These results are a tribute to the
hard work and dedication of conservation organizations
and government officials here in Russia,"
said Yuri Darman, Director of the WWF Russian
Far East Office. "Despite massive poaching
pressures in the 11000s, we have been able
to turn back the tide, and retain our tiger
population."
"Russia is a bright spot in the conservation
of tigers in Asia, and is proof of our belief
that a few dedicated individuals, with sufficient
motivation and adequate support, can make
a difference in the world," said John
Seidensticker, of the Save-the-Tiger Fund,
a partnership between Exxon Mobil, U.S. National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
Coordinators of the survey effort gathered
in Vladivostok today to present their results,
but emphasized that numbers are still preliminary.
Still to come will be an assessment of the
prey species tigers are dependent on, and
a more rigorous analysis of tiger distribution
and abundance.
"Over the next few months, we will be
completing the geographic database to ensure
these data are preserved, and then we will
begin a more intensive analysis of the data,"
added Miquelle.
"Results may change slightly, but we
think it’s safe to say that the population
appears stable."
END NOTES:
Sponsors of the 2005 Winter Survey of Amur
Tigers include: the Russian Ministry of Natural
Resources; the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation’s Save-the-Tiger Fund, sponsored
by Exxon-Mobil; 21st Century Tiger; U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s Rhinoceros Tiger Conservation
Fund; Wildlife Conservation Society; and WWF.
