Nocturnal poaching of Siberian tigers for their physique components persists

In the vast expanse of Russia's Far East, the Amur tiger, a majestic subspecies that can weigh over 600 pounds and stretch up to 10 feet, faces an alarming threat - illegal hunting. Wildlife researcher Allison Skidmore, in a groundbreaking investigation published by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has shed light on this hidden crisis in Primorye, a region that is home to about 52% of the boreal forest (taiga) that these tigers call home.

Skidmore's trips to Primorye, spanning over a hundred interviews with hunters and twelve buyers of tiger parts, have painted a chilling picture of the illegal tiger trade. More than a third of the men she talked with admitted to being involved in this illicit activity. Poachers, armed with guns, infrared goggles, and vehicles, hunt tigers at night, and smuggle their parts into China, where tiger bones, penises, and other body parts are in high demand for traditional medicine.

The tiger's plight in Primorye is further compounded by habitat loss and food shortage. Deforestation, driven by illegal logging, and the African swine fever outbreak are threatening the food supply of Amur tigers in the region. Hungry tigers sometimes attack communities, snatching livestock and dogs, while fatal incidents involving humans have been reported in Khabarovsk Krai, north of Primorye, in August 2021 and January 2021.

Estimating the population of Amur tigers isn't an exact science due to the high cost of reliable methods like aerial surveys and camera traps. The last official census in Russia, conducted in 2015, estimated the population at 532-67, a figure that Skidmore's research suggests may be significantly lower. She estimates between 49 and 73 Amur tigers are poached every year in Primorye, higher than the Russian government's reported numbers.

Russia's official response to Skidmore's findings has been frosty. Aramilev, the director general of the Amur Tiger Center, a Russian nonprofit, disputes Skidmore's research findings. However, biologist Marshall Jones, senior conservation advisor with the Smithsonian Institution, supports Skidmore's findings, adding urgency to the call for action to protect these endangered creatures.

It is illegal to kill tigers in Russia for nearly 75 years, with the Soviet Union making it a federal offense to do so in 1947, and Russia criminalizing the possession of tiger parts in 2013. Yet, the illegal trade continues, with some poachers and buyers claiming that their transactions are possible because of government officials taking bribes. Customs officers, too, are implicated, with some reportedly taking small payments for each shipment of tiger contraband.

Areas of remaining tiger habitat in Russia are designated protected nature zones. However, these protections are not enough to stem the tide of illegal hunting. As we continue to learn more about the extent of this crisis, it is crucial that we work towards effective solutions to protect the Amur tiger and its habitat, ensuring the survival of this magnificent creature for future generations.