A new project on the Amur tiger conservation kicked off

A joint project of WWF and Nordens Ark Zoo will be run on funds provided by Swedish Post Lottery in Nanaisky district where in recent years several protected areas were declared with Anyuisky National Park to be the largest one.

The project for tiger conservation – at present its northern population numbers about 20 Amur tigers – envisions increasing wild ungulates number, creation and support of anti-poaching groups, and raising awareness of local population.

WWF and Nordens Ark Zoo have been working for 10 days in the area doing feasibility study and participating in anti-poaching raids. Anyuisky National Park and Khabarovskii Province Service for Fauna and PAs Protection will be main executives of the project.

The project’s goal is to secure sustainable development of the NP and adjacent territories. Local people including indigenous tribes the Udege and Nanai will get new jobs working as eco-tourism projects staff and members of anti poaching groups. The new visitor center will be open; special curricular on ecology and biodiversity conservation will be developed for schools.

WWF staff and experts from All-Russia Wildlife Management Institute will access tiger status and its prey capacity; tiger monitoring and field work will be done in close cooperation with aboriginal people. Three new anti poaching groups will be formed and equipped with all necessary devices, including off-roaders, snow mobiles, boats and outboard boat engines. The project will cover expenses for fuel and introduce bonus system to reward high performing rangers.

“Getting support from local is an important part of the project, - comments Viktor Nikiforov, WWF-Russia pilot projects coordinator. - Living here communities including indigenous tribes should have chances for nature use, traditional hunting and fishing and get advantages of ecotourism development”.