The Simba & Shere Kahn’s Of The World Are Growing Scarce!
The Wildlife Conservation Society has just announced a disturbing report revealing that the last of the remaining Siberian tiger population has likely declined significantly. Due to rising poaching and mass habitat loss, the total number of Siberian tigers was estimated at only 500 individuals in 2005.
A 500 count isn’t necessarily the worst news, since they were estimated to have been only 30 animals in the late 1940s, but by now the Siberian Tiger population should have increased dramatically. The Siberian Tiger Monitoring Program, revealed a recent tiger survey that showed a 40 percent decline from a 12-year average. The annual tiger surveys are conducted at 16 sites across the tiger’s native range (9,000 square miles) and act as a warning system to detect the changing tiger population. Surprisingly, only 56 tigers were counted at the sites, researchers think the past winter and its heavy snow fall may have forced tigers to reduce the amount they traveled making them virtually un-detectable, but still the report sees a four year trend of decreasing tigers.
“The sobering results are a wake-up call that current conservation efforts are not going far enough to protect Siberian tigers,” said Dr. Dale Miquelle, of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Russian Far East Program in a WCS press release.
The reason for the declining population is thought to be the result of increased poaching. After 1940, poaching was kept to a minimum in Russia but became a problem in the 1990s, when the economy of Russia collapsed. Improvements in the local economy led to greater resources and conservation efforts but also an increase of economic activity led to increased deforestation.
Saving these scarce Siberians is still possible. “Working with our Russian partners we are hopeful and confident that we can save the Siberian tiger,” said Dr. John G. Robinson, WCS Executive Vice President for Conservation and Science in a WCS press release.
Siberian Tigers are the northernmost subspecies of Tigers, and are known to inhabit eastern Siberia. The tiger is noted for its thick coat, a paler golden hue and fewer stripes.
Never seen one? Siberian tiger cubs are right here in New York, at the Bronx Zoo. They are living in an exhibit that is recreated to look just like the big cats native Russian Far East.
Source: WCS
Photo Credit: MJCdetroit/ WCS
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