During the International Environment Forum in China in September 2013, specialists of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve signed an agreement with China’s Changbaishan Nature Reserve on cooperation in scientific research and educational tourism.

The first stage of cooperation involves organising animal tracking and obtaining omparative data on both specially protected natural areas, as well as analysing the environment in the Amur tiger’s habitat in Changbaishan region. Tigers were observed in the area until the early 1990s, but the animal has not been spotted here since.

At the present stage, specialists of the two nature reserves will evaluate Changbaishan to determine whether the area is suited to the Amur tiger as well as the population density of hoofed animals, its main food source.

In December 2013, a group of five Russian specialists visited the Changbaishan Reserve to demonstrate how to track animal numbers through the winter. The workshop included lectures and numerous field practice sessions, and was attended by over 50 staff members of the Changbaishan Reserve.

The preliminary survey results showed that Changbaishan has a dense population of roe deer and wild boar, which gives hope that the tiger will be able to return to the reserve.

Specialists of the Changbaishan Nature Reserve will visit the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve in the near future to take part in surveying animals’ winter trails.