On 6 October, Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University hosted the international scientific conference Prospects for the Development of Juridical Science, Practice and Education in the Asia-Pacific Region. It brought together experts from Russia, South Korea, the United States and Japan to discuss the special features of environmental law. The Amur Tiger Centre autonomous non-profit organisation acted as one of the conference organisers.

The conference was part of the Tigers and the Law project intended to promote the development of juridical science and improve the quality of legal practices in rare animal species conservation. Sergei Aramilev, director of the Far Eastern branch of the Amur Tiger Centre, gave a report at the session “Legal Responsibility for Violations of Wildlife Protection Laws in Russia and Asia-Pacific Countries.” The subsequent discussion centred on illegal use and trafficking of wildlife and illegal trade in wildlife parts and derivatives.

Recommended guidelines for probing crimes against Amur tigers were presented, entitled Scientific and Practical Recommendations for Investigating Criminal Offences against the Amur Tiger Falling under Article 258.1 of the Russian Penal Code.

Legal regulations of Amur tiger protection in Russia are specified in the federal laws On Environmental Protection, On Wildlife and On Specially Protected Natural Areas. An action plan for Amur tiger conservation until 2020 has been drawn up in line with Russia’s Amur Tiger Conservation Strategy approved in 2010. In November 2010, environment ministers from 13 countries endorsed the 2010-2022 Global Tiger Recovery Programme at the International Tiger Conservation Forum in St Petersburg.