If you ask someone to tell you where tigers come from, chances are they won't think of Russia. This is a great shame, since Russia is home to the majestic Siberian, or Amur, tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. altaica).
There are, in total, only around 520 Siberian tigers left in the wild. Of these, around 20 live in arboreal habitats along China's border with Russia. The other 500 (an optimistic estimate) live in Primorsky Krai and southern Khabarovsky Krai in the Russian Far East (see map below).
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| Range of the Siberian Tiger. Credit: WCS Russia. |
Much of the Siberian tiger's decline can be blamed on anthropogenic (human-caused) factors. Perhaps the biggest threat to the Siberian tiger is poaching: of both the tiger itself, and the prey species it relies upon, such as deer and wild boar.
Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation are also major drivers of the decline of this species, with logging (especially clear felling), changes in land use, and uncontrolled fires being key factors. The loss of prey species as a result of habitat loss further worsens the situation, leading to a knock-on effect throughout the food chain.
Here are a few facts about the Siberian tiger:
- Largest tiger sub-species in the world
- Prey includes elk, wild boar, sika and roe deer
- They will also eat badgers, racoons and bears!
- Prefer forest habitats, especially where prey are present
- Lifespan in the wild can reach 14 years
- In captivity, lifespan can reach 35 years
- Litter sizes are generally 1 to 5 cubs
- From nose to tail, an adult male can measure up to 3 metres in length
Further reading:
http://www.wcsrussia.org/en-us/wildlife/amurtigers/ecology.aspx
http://www.wcsrussia.org/en-us/wildlife/amurtigers/conservationthreats.aspx
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15956/0
Photograph credit: Eric Maurer.
