New video provides evidence that 'Putin's tigers' are thriving in the wild
MOSCOW, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This month marks the one year anniversary of the biggest Siberian tiger release in history. Four of the five Amur (aka Siberian) tigers released last year in the Russian Far East have adapted successfully to life in the wild. Newly released video captured by a camera trap positioned at the Khingan Nature Reserve shows a healthy tigress Ilona marking her territory.
Satellite tracking and camera trap videos show that the rehabilitated orphan tigress continues to thrive in the Russian forests near the Chinese border. By tracking her movements, scientists have learned that she is hunting wolves, deer and wild boar.
"Success stories like Ilona are helping to change the opinion and policy of officials in the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources," said Maria Vorontsova, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Russia director. "There was a general belief that it was impossible to rehabilitate and return orphan tiger cubs back to the wild. IFAW and our partner groups have now proven that it is indeed possible."
Nicknamed "Putin's tigers" after President Vladimir Putin's participation in the release, all but one of the five tigers have successfully adapted to life in the wild. Kuzya, Ilona, Borya and Svetlaya have been tracked and are establishing territories of their own. Ustin was caught after months of wandering near human settlements, along the Chinese-Russian border and was ultimately taken to the Rostov-on-Don zoo due to public safety concerns.
The tigress Zolushka (which means Cinderella in Russian) was released in 2013 and was the first to be successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced to the wild. Scientists report that she is doing well and continues to thrive in the Bastak Nature Reserve. It is believed that she found a mate, Zavetny, and may already have given birth to cubs. If the young survive, they will increase the remaining population of approximately 400 wild Amur tigers.
With ongoing support from the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, a multi-group collaboration between IFAW, Special Inspection Tiger, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Phoenix Foundation make this tiger rescue, rehabilitation and release possible.
About IFAW
Founded in 1969, IFAW rescues and protects animals around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Photos are available at www.ifawimages.com.
Video - https://youtu.be/DqoNZKIHb5k
SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare
Share this article