The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has officially recognized Russia`s significant contribution as a global leader in the conservation of the Amur tiger. According to Minister Alexander Kozlov, a remarkable 95% of the total population of this majestic predator lives within Russian territory, and their numbers are currently stable. This encouraging announcement coincides with the annual observance of International Tiger Day, celebrated worldwide on July 29th.
Minister Kozlov`s statement emphasized Russia`s unwavering position at the forefront of protecting the planet`s largest feline species. “Ninety-five percent of the Amur tiger population resides specifically in our country, and today the numbers of these formidable inhabitants of the Far Eastern taiga remain stable,” he affirmed.
Kozlov further elaborated that the Amur tiger`s survival faced grave peril during the 20th century. During that period, humanity, in its quest to “conquer” nature, often overlooked the potential long-term repercussions of its actions. He highlighted that it required decades of dedicated conservation efforts by the state to successfully reintroduce and establish a healthy population of these magnificent big cats back into their natural wilderness.
“It is crucial to continue moving forward. Tigers do not acknowledge state boundaries, and therefore, restoring their historical habitat can only be achieved through close collaboration and partnership with other nations,” Kozlov added.
He noted a key recent initiative: last year, Russia and China collaboratively established a transboundary reserve named “Land of Big Cats.” Currently, researchers from both nations are actively engaging in data exchange from photo-monitoring efforts to precisely ascertain the number of these elusive predators within this shared protected area.
The Amur tiger holds the distinction of being one of the rarest large carnivores on Earth and is prominently listed in the International Red Book. Within Russia, these splendid animals are primarily found across four distinct regions: Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast, and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. Expert assessments estimate the Russian tiger population to be approximately 750 individuals.
In 2024, the Russian Federation and the People`s Republic of China formalized their commitment by signing an agreement for the creation of the “Land of Big Cats” transboundary reserve. This sanctuary is specifically designed for the comprehensive protection of two endangered species: the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger. From the Russian side, the reserve encompasses the “Land of the Leopard” National Park and the “Kedrovaya Pad” Nature Reserve, while China`s contribution includes the Northeast National Park. The inaugural meeting of the joint commission, convened to oversee the implementation of this agreement, took place on June 4th in China, where both parties successfully approved a two-year action plan for the “Land of Big Cats” transboundary reserve.
