Over the past 10 years, it has been possible to create a sustainable system for protecting the animal world and achieve a growth in the number of Amur tigers. Today the number of these predators in Russia exceeds 750, as Sergei Aramilev, general director of the Amur Tiger Centre, said at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

Sergei Aramilev took part in the work of the multimedia studio of the Znanie Russian Society and the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU). His report was dedicated to the northernmost wild cats living in Russia. He also noted that Russia has become a world leader in returning animals to the wild.

According to Aramilev, today about 30–40 Amur tigers are moving between Russia and China, and both countries are home to them. Previously it was considered that the animals could not cross the Amur River, but today’s monitoring systems proved that the felines can cross 600 metres of cold mountain water easily. The speaker stressed that China had significantly improved the quality of the habitat and created comfortable conditions thanks to which tigers live there for several months and then return to Russia.

“Their habitat includes the Primorye and Khabarovsk territories, the Jewish Autonomous Region and the Amur Region. Their presence proves the situation in the environment is good, and it is quite easy to count them,” the speaker noted, adding that the Amur tigers were something like an indicator of the environment’s condition in the Far East.

Aramilev said that the rehabilitation of Amur tigers was actively developing in the Far East. Injured animals or cubs left without adults are caught, treated, and taught to avoid humans, after which they are released into the wild.

Sergei Aramilev said that the chance to spot an Amur tiger in the wild is very low for tourists because the animals are extremely careful. In fact, Amur tigers, like Far Eastern leopards, can be described as quite peaceful: they never attack people first, but when a person comes across one it is important to follow several rules.

“It is not recommended to panic or run away, while loud noise will scare the animal. Don’t look them in the eyes: the animals regard this as a challenge. An attempt to take away food or showing attention to the cubs can also provoke an attack. In addition, a wounded tiger can pose danger,” Aramilev explained.

He also reminded everyone that drivers on roads passing through forests, nature reserves, and parks need to stay especially focused on the road: tigers, bears, and deer can appear on the road at any moment. At the same time, given the size of the Amur tiger (about two metres without the tail), and 180 kilogrammes of weight, it is possible to prevent a collision by observing the speed limit.

“If you see a wounded predator on the road, please report it to the Emergencies Ministry or the police, because this animal can pose danger for other people,” Sergei Aramilev said, adding that there were special groups in the Primorye and Khabarovsk territories to help in situations involving predators in settlements. They are well equipped, constantly undergo training and refresher courses. An insurance system has been created for damage caused by tigers under which owners who have lost livestock or other domestic animals can receive compensation.