Scientists and state inspectors at Land of the Leopard National Park count animals and track down poachers from an Mi-2 helicopter. During the latest observation flights, specialists saw a family of three Amur tigers and managed to snap several photographs of these rare cats, a female tiger with two grown-up cubs.  

During the flights, specialists spent most of the time conducting aerial counts of the hoofed animals, which are the main prey of Far Eastern leopards and Amur tigers, to assess the overall status of the hoofed population in the national park. “Aerial monitoring is a reliable method for determining the density of the hoofed population in this area,” said Yevgenia Bisikovalova, Land of the Leopard deputy director for research. “But it is also a very complex job that calls for identifying a species, the number of animals within sight and other parameters in a matter of seconds. After analysing the materials, we will be able to assess the overall situation with the hoofed population and the quality of measures we are taking to boost their numbers.”

Aerial counts are also one of the most effective methods of fighting poaching. This time no poachers were spotted during the flights around the park. “Aerial patrolling of the protected area in winter allows us to inspect a large part of the territory in a short span of time, looking into the remotest parts of the national park and the reserve. It is one of the most effective methods of combating poachers,” said Yevgeny Stoma, Land of the Leopard deputy director for security.