The Amur Tiger Centre took part in the 6^th World Parks Congress where a significant number of speeches addressed the conservation of Russia’s wild cats: the Amur tiger, Far Eastern leopard, manul cat and snow leopard. 

Director of the Amur Tiger Centre Sergei Aramilev said the creation of a nature reserve in Primorye was proof of Russia’s commitment to preserving big cats.  

In addition, the government has recently taken a decision to create in the Bikin River basin the largest national park in the geographic range inhabited by the Amur tiger. The area of the reserve will exceed one million hectares, he said.  

“This national park will be formed to preserve a unique natural system. The Udegei (local ethnic group) and tigers will live in harmony there,” he said. 

As part of the congress, plenary sessions, roundtables and workshops on preserving the world’s natural heritage were held. Attended by over 5,000 people from 160 countries, the World Parks Congress is the largest and most prestigious international forum on protected areas.

The organisers have tallied the results of the public voting to name a young tigress from the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve. She was named Victoria after the Australian state of Victoria and its famous national parks.