Why is siberian tiger endangered

Current estimates indicate that tigers are poached in the Russian Far East each year, although actual numbers may be higher. Analysis of mortality data in Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve indicates that poaching rates may be at least this high in a significant area of Russian tiger range. Tigers are most commonly poached for their fur and for their body parts, such as bones, that are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The opening of the border between China and Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union has made it possible to easily transport goods to Chinese markets and beyond. Although tigers are a protected species in Russia, enforcement agencies have very limited ability to catch convict poachers, and, even when this happens, fines are relatively small and disincentives insufficient.

Poaching problems are further exacerbated by low incomes in many rural areas of the Russian Far East — sale of a tiger skin and bones represents a substantial source of income for poor people in remote villages. It is also common for hunters to poach tigers to eliminate competition for ungulates and for locals to kill tigers in retaliation for depredations on domestic animals such as dogs and cows.

Figure 1. Causes of mortality detected by radio-tracking tigers captured in and near Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve, Sample sizes number of dead tigers are above each bar. Habitat Loss In Russia, human population growth does not threaten habitat as it does in many other tiger-range countries.

However, activities such as logging, grazing, various development projects and uncontrolled fires are all resulting in direct habitat loss in the Russian Far East. Habitat is increasingly being divided into isolated patches, particularly at the southern edge of Amur tiger range. Main Threats Poaching persistently threats the survival of Amur tigers. Sometime the traps capture Amur tigers even if the target is ungulate. Amur tiger needs large territories to survive.

Along with habitat loss, tigers have suffered from severe loss of natural prey populations such as wild deer, goats, sheep, and pigs. Large-scale habitat destruction and reduction of prey populations are the major long-term threats to the continued existence of tigers in the wild.

As Amur tiger continues to lose their habitat and prey species, they have increasingly come into conflict with humans as they attack domestic animals—and sometimes people. The incident of Amur tiger attack on livestock is reported every year in Northeast China. Amur tiger on iced lake. To the elite Chinese, Siberian tiger meat is considered a delicacy, and other body parts -- bones, whiskers and teeth -- are used in traditional medicine.

Poaching is also contributing to the reduction of the Siberian tiger population in the wild. To counteract the dwindling population, the governments of the countries these tigers call home have set up nature preserves in an attempt to stabilize the numbers. And captive populations are monitored and carefully bred with the hope of keeping the species alive. In Russia, the Sikhote-Alin Reserve offers these animals a 10, square foot preserve, where they cannot be disturbed. The reserve offers the tigers the chance to roam, hunt and breed without fear of human interaction or loss of habitat.

By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. Overview The Siberian tiger closely resembles other breeds of tiger, but there are distinguishing characteristics. Destruction of Habitat Forest provides the needed habitat to Siberian tigers. Loss of Food Sources Siberian tigers rely on prey such as deer, fish, bears and rabbits.