Amur tiger program. Amur tiger research program in the Russian Far East
The program for the study of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East is an independent project within the framework of a permanent expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences to study the animals of the Red Book Russian Federation and other especially important animals of the fauna of Russia, which was created in 2008 on the basis of the institution. The scientific leader of the expedition is Academician Dmitry Sergeevich Pavlov, director of the IPEE RAS; head of the expedition - doctor of biological sciences Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Rozhnov, deputy. director of IPEE RAS.
Program " Amur tiger» aims to develop scientific foundations for the conservation of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East. The main objective of the program is to study the spatial structure of the Amur tiger population, the movements and numbers of these cats in Russia, and the nature of their use of space. In addition, scientists study the reproductive biology of the species, habitat characteristics, nutrition and food resources, as well as the distribution and population dynamics of the main prey species of the tiger, the relationship with other competitive predators.
To clarify the adaptive capabilities of a species in modern changing environmental conditions, it is necessary to study the structure of its habitat and assess long-term dynamics forest ecosystems Russian Far East, habitat modeling using GIS technologies to predict the distribution of the Amur tiger. An important component of the program is the study of the structural and functional organization of populations of the main prey species of the Amur tiger - ungulates (wild boar, roe deer, red deer, spotted deer) and populations of its main competitors - brown and Himalayan bears, wolves, as well as the specifics and consequences of interpopulation interactions between two large species of cats - the tiger and the Far Eastern leopard.
The issue of creating a state information center is also being considered, which should contain information on the state of tiger populations in particular and rare species of animals in general. The current method of counting the number of tigers needs to be adjusted.
In addition to purely scientific goals, the Amur Tiger program also provides for the solution of popular science, educational and social tasks. The goal of the program is not only to draw attention to the problem of protecting rare and common animal species in Russia, such as the Amur tiger, snow leopard, Far Eastern leopard, beluga whale, but also to tell the widest layers of local residents about the ecology and behavior of these animals.
In March 2009, within the framework of the international scientific and practical conference“The Amur Tiger in Northeast Asia: Conservation Problems in the 21st Century” was adopted a draft of a new edition of the “Strategy for the Conservation of the Amur Tiger in Russia”, prepared by a specially created working group of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia.
Devices for the study of tigers
camera traps
Camera traps (models from LifRiver and Reconix are used) are a kind of remote surveillance cameras. They are installed at certain intervals in the taiga along the paths of a possible tiger.
Each tiger has its own pattern on the skin, like humans have fingerprints. Each camera trap has a special flash card installed. Based on the data obtained (a kind of fingerprinting), scientists draw up individual cards for each tiger living in this place.
Camera traps are installed in such a way that they photograph the animal from both sides at the same time - this is the only way to make an individual portrait of each predator.
Special hinges
To catch a tiger, scientists use special loops manufactured by the Canadian-American company Margo Supplies LTD. To attract a tiger, a special mark is left on the tree under which the device is installed. Like all cats, the tiger goes for the smell of valerian. The trap is carefully camouflaged so that the beast does not suspect anything.
It is very important that the tiger gets into the trap with its front paw. Then he won't have room to jump. There is a known case when a tiger got into a trap with its back paw and broke it, trying to free itself.
When the animal gets caught in the loop, the transmitter, which is connected to the loop with a special fishing line, changes the signal.
The tiger is a very smart animal. He is cunning and subtly senses danger. So a tiger caught in a trap is a great success for the researcher.
Pneumatic devices for immobilizing tigers
To immobilize the tigers caught in the loops for the purpose of their subsequent research, pneumatic guns with optical sight from Dan-inject. The gas pressure is adjusted using a special pressure gauge depending on the distance of the shot. This is a special carbine for firing syringes. With it, you can shoot the beast from a distance of up to 40 m.
Zoletil and Medetomidine, currently used to immobilize all large predators, including the tiger, are used as immobilization drugs. The dose of the drug depends on the weight of the animals. In a sleeping state, the animal can be from 30 to 40 minutes. All procedures for immobilization and veterinary examination of tigers are carried out by specialist veterinarians. The chief veterinarian of the Moscow Zoo M. V. Alshinetsky takes part in the work.
All captured animals undergo ultrasound and take blood tests from them, after which they put a satellite collar around their neck.
Satellite collars
After the tiger gets into the loop, he will be put on collars with satellite GPS-navigators and Sirtrack transmitters ( New Zealand), Lotec (Canada) and Telonics (USA), as well as the Russian GLONASS system. Information about the location of the animal will be sent to the computer of scientists in real time. The tiger quickly gets used to the transmitter, which is small in weight. The battery of the collar lasts for about a year and a half, after which it automatically comes unfastened.
Molecular genetic methods for the study of tigers
Large-scale comprehensive studies using molecular genetic methods have not been carried out so far. This method is based on the analysis of microsatellite regions of nuclear DNA (blood and excrement are used). The structure of these DNA fragments is individual for each animal. The microsatellite parts of DNA used for individual identification have a different number of di-, tri-, tetranucleotide repeats and, as a result, different lengths.
Studying the Amur tiger in the Ussuri Nature Reserve
From each of the captured predators, scientists take blood, hair and excreta samples for molecular genetic and hormonal studies. In addition, all animals are marked with ear tags and put on GPS-Argos collars.
On August 31, 2008, during a visit by Vladimir Putin to the Ussuri Nature Reserve, a tigress was caught. After the predator was put on a satellite collar, she was released. However, in November the tigress fell into the noose again. Scientists decided to give her the name Earring: the fact is that the syringe with sleeping pills got into her in such a way that in the photo then it looked like an earring in her ear.
On October 20, 2009, Serga the tigress was caught again. They took off her collar, which had worked for exactly a year, and put on a new one instead. It turned out that the cubs had chewed off the transmitting satellite antenna from her old collar, which is why scientists could only track her with the help of a VHF transmitter. The tigress was measured again, biological samples were taken from her, the collar was replaced with a new one with fresh batteries.
From the old collar, we managed to get all the data on Earring's adventures during the year - these are 1222 locations, 16,500 activity measurements, 6 full daily moves. The data downloaded from the collar made it possible to obtain detailed information about the movements of the tigress over the past year. The habitat of the beast was almost 900 square meters. km, and only 56% of the locations were within Ussuri Nature Reserve, the rest are outside. The tigress actively used, among other things, the territories in the immediate vicinity of settlements - the villages of Kamenushka and Mnogoudobnoye.
On October 26, 2009, another tiger was caught in the Ussuriysky Reserve, which was named Boxer. He was about a year and a half old, he weighed 120 kg. Scientists have suggested that this is the son of Earrings, one of her three cubs. Subsequent genetic studies in the laboratory of the Institute confirmed this version: Boxer really turned out to be the son of Earrings.
In the spring of 2009, a one and a half year old tiger cub was caught in the reserve, left an orphan after the death of a tigress. He was given the nickname Oleg. Captured in a weakened state, on September 16, 2009, after rehabilitation in captivity, the cub was released into the wild. This is the world's first such experiment on the return of the tiger to nature.
This tiger cub, which weighed 60 kg, was transported for rehabilitation at the end of May 2009, kept in a large enclosure, which is a fenced area of the forest, and had the opportunity to regularly hunt sika deer, training hunting habits. By mid-September, the animal's milk fangs had changed to permanent ones, its body weight had reached 90 kg, and it had learned to effectively hunt ungulates.
To date, with satellite collars under the supervision of scientists, there is already a whole group of tigers of different ages. A database has been created that contains the results of using camera traps for photo-identification of tigers, the results of molecular genetic and hormonal analysis, as well as the results of tiger traces.
The program for the study of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East is being implemented as an independent project within the framework of the Permanent Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences to study the animals of the Red Book of the Russian Federation and other especially important animals of the fauna of Russia, created and included in the IPEE RAS on the basis of the Order of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences dated February 29 2008 No. 12300-128
Purpose of the program- development of scientific bases for the conservation of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East.
Program Objectives:
- Studying spatial structure of the Amur tiger population, movements and the nature of their use of space.
- Studying reproductive biology Amur tiger.
- Zoological and veterinary examination Amur tigers from the natural population.
- Study of interpopulation interactions between tigers and other predatory mammals.
- Studying food, food resources, distribution and population dynamics of the main prey species of the tiger.
- Preparation of a new version of the Strategy for the Conservation of the Amur Tiger in Russia, development of recommendations for monitoring the Amur tiger population and its conservation.
Tiger (Panthera tigris)- belongs to the genus of large cats. This cat is very large in size: body weight of males up to 320 kg, females up to 180 kg, body length of males up to 290 cm, females up to 190-200 cm, tail length of males 115 cm, females up to 110 cm.
The Amur tiger - the largest and most beautiful subspecies of the tiger - lives in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur Region. Listed on the Red List International Union Nature Protection. According to the latest data obtained in 2005, the population size is estimated at 400-500 individuals. Favorite habitats - low mountains, river valleys, padi, overgrown with vegetation of the Manchu type with a predominance of cedar and oak. The basis of nutrition is large and small ungulates. The tiger leads a solitary lifestyle on a plot of up to 1000 square meters. kilometers or more. The size of the habitat area and its structure can be influenced by a number of factors, such as: the depth of snow cover, the density of the prey population (the presence of herds of ungulates - wild boar, roe deer, red deer, sika deer), anthropogenic impacts (deforestation, poaching, availability of roads, ongoing hunting of ungulates).
Currently, the population of the Amur tiger exists in conditions of an acute shortage of suitable habitats and an adequate amount of food - wild ungulates. This causes an increase in the mobility of individual individuals and the appearance of the tiger outside the current area of its distribution.
To elucidate the adaptive capabilities of the species in today's changing environmental conditions, it is necessary to study the structure of its habitats and assess the long-term dynamics of forest ecosystems in the Russian Far East, as well as modeling habitats using GIS technologies to predict the distribution of the Amur tiger. An important component of the program is the study of the structural and functional organization of populations of the main prey species of the Amur tiger - ungulates (wild boar, roe deer, red deer, spotted deer) and populations of its main competitors - brown and Himalayan bears, wolves, as well as the specifics and consequences of interpopulation interactions between two large feline species - tiger and Far Eastern leopard.
The issue of creating a state information center is urgent, which should contain information on the state of tiger populations in particular and rare species of animals in general. The method of counting the number of tigers also needs to be adjusted.
02/03/2012 | Vladimir Putin's programs to save rare animals
In 2008, work began on several programs related to the study of rare and especially important animals in Russia. All programs are carried out with the support of the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin. At Russian Academy Sciences, the Permanent Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences was created to study the animals of the Red Book of the Russian Federation and other especially important animals of the fauna of Russia. Almost all species of animals studied by this expedition are listed not only in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, but also in the International Red List of the IUCN.
The programs provide for educational work among the local population. It is important not only to draw attention to the problem of protecting rare and common animal species in Russia, such as the Amur tiger, snow leopard, Far Eastern leopard, white whale (beluga whale), but also to tell the widest layers of local residents of the regions about the ecology and behavior of these animals.
Amur tiger research program in the Russian Far East
Amur Tiger Program its goal is to develop scientific foundations for the conservation of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East. The main objective of the program is to study the spatial structure of the Amur tiger population, the movements and numbers of these cats in Russia, and the nature of their use of space. In addition, scientists study the reproductive biology of the species, habitat characteristics, nutrition and food resources, as well as the distribution and population dynamics of the main prey species of the tiger, the relationship with other competitive predators.
The program includes studying the structure of tiger habitat, assessing the long-term dynamics of forest ecosystems in the Russian Far East, and modeling habitats using GIS technologies to predict the distribution of the Amur tiger. An important component of the program is the study of the structural and functional organization of populations of the main prey species of the Amur tiger - ungulates (wild boar, roe deer, red deer, spotted deer) and populations of its main competitors - brown and Himalayan bears, wolves, as well as the specifics and consequences of interpopulation interactions between two large species of cats - the tiger and the Far Eastern leopard.
The work uses such devices for researching tigers as camera traps, special loops for catching a tiger, pneumatic rifles with an optical sight for immobilizing tigers, and satellite collars. Molecular genetic methods for the study of tigers are being carried out.
On August 31, 2008, during a visit by Vladimir Putin to the Ussuri Nature Reserve, a tigress was caught. After the predator was put on a satellite collar, she was released. However, in November the tigress fell into the noose again. Scientists decided to give her the name Earring: the fact is that the syringe with sleeping pills got into her in such a way that in the photo then it looked like an earring in her ear.
On October 20, 2009, Serga the tigress was caught again. They took off her collar, which had worked for exactly a year, and put on a new one instead. It turned out that the cubs had chewed off the transmitting satellite antenna from her old collar, which is why scientists could only track her with the help of a VHF transmitter. The tigress was measured again, biological samples were taken from her, the collar was replaced with a new one with fresh batteries.
From the old collar, we managed to get all the data on Earring's adventures during the year - these are 1222 locations, 16,500 activity measurements, 6 full daily moves. The data downloaded from the collar made it possible to obtain detailed information about the movements of the tigress over the past year. The habitat of the beast was almost 900 square meters. km, and only 56% of the locations turned out to be within the Ussuriysky Reserve, the rest - outside it. The tigress actively used, among other things, the territories in the immediate vicinity of settlements - the villages of Kamenushka and Mnogoudobnoe.
On October 26, 2009, another tiger was caught in the Ussuriysky Reserve, which was named Boxer. Scientists have suggested that it is. Subsequent genetic studies in the laboratory of the Institute confirmed that this is the son of Sergi, one of her three cubs.
In the spring of 2009, a one and a half year old tiger cub was caught in the reserve, left an orphan after the death of a tigress. He was given the nickname Oleg. Captured in a weakened state, on September 16, 2009, after rehabilitation in captivity, the cub was released into the wild. This is the world's first such experiment on the return of the tiger to nature.
Program "Belukha-White Whale"
Program "Belukha-White Whale" aims to study the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Beluga is not endangered or a rare species, but is a recognized indicator of the state of marine Arctic ecosystems. The main task of the program is to study the distribution, seasonal migrations and abundance of beluga whales in Russian seas, as well as clarifying the current status of its various populations throughout the Russian range, studying the characteristics of the habitat, nutrition, and relationships with other species. For this, the scientists of the IPEE RAS use the most modern methods: satellite tagging (telemetry), aerial surveillance, veterinary and genetic research. Traditional methods of coastal visual observations are also used.
Summer 2009 Vladimir Putin took personal control of the Beluga-White Whale program, whose main task is to study seasonal migrations and the number of belugas in the Russian seas. The transmitter installed by Vladimir Putin stopped working, but the study of belugas continues.
In July-August 2009, satellite transmitters were installed at 3 in the area of Chkalov Island. They transmit data on the movement of beluga whales via the ARGOS satellite system. The transmitters were supposed to follow the movement of animals for six to nine months and determine not only the route of their movement, but also give a lot of new information about their relationships with each other and between individuals from other populations of the Sea of Okhotsk.
The aerial observation program was carried out within 40 days from the end of July to the middle of September 2009. Animal censuses were carried out large group zoologists. For the first time in the Far East, an AN-38 Vostok laboratory aircraft was created, equipped with the latest technology specifically for monitoring marine mammals. For the first time in quite short term almost the entire coast of the Sea of Okhotsk was surveyed, with the exception of the Kuril Islands. The main concentrations of beluga whales, seals and whales during this period have been identified.
Irbis study program ( snow leopard) in southern Siberia
Program "Irbis - snow leopard" was launched in 2010 and is designed for 5 years. In the Red Book of the Russian Federation, the snow leopard is assigned category 1 - a species "endangered at the limit of its range." The number of snow leopards in the Russian part of the range is about 50 animals. The main objectives of the program are to study the state of populations throughout the range of the snow leopard in Russia, to identify key reproductive nuclei and groups, and to develop scientific foundations for the long-term conservation of the snow leopard (snow leopard) in southern Siberia in Russia. Scientists are studying the spatial structure of the snow leopard population, the movements and abundance of these cats in Russia; develop methods for counting the snow leopard; study the reproductive biology of the species, habitat characteristics, feeding habits, distribution and population dynamics of the main prey species, relationships with other competitive predators, and work on the Strategy for the conservation of the snow leopard in Russia and the preparation of recommendations for its conservation.
One of the most important tasks of the project is educational program for the local population, students and schoolchildren, increasing knowledge about native nature local residents. Program participants actively cooperate with the local press, telling reporters about the features and habits of this amazing beast. The Khakass branch of the Russian Geographical Society, formed in the fall of 2010, provides assistance to scientists in order to ensure their work on the territory of the Khakassky nature reserve, the Pozarym nature reserve being created, and other specially protected areas of the region.
In their work, scientists use camera traps, satellite collars, as well as molecular genetic, hormonal non-invasive research methods.
In the future, scientists plan to conduct work throughout the Russian part of the snow leopard range. Also in the plans is the coordination of activities to assess the abundance and study of the biology of the species with the scientific communities of the countries of the Altai-Sayan region (Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan), where such studies are being conducted.
Arctic Polar Bear Program
In April 2010, a complex expedition of the IPEE RAS took place under the Polar Bear Program within the framework of the Grant of the Russian Geographical Society to the area of the Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land. The purpose of the Program is to study, preserve and restore the population polar bear in the Russian Arctic.
Currently, the main threatening factors for the polar bear are: the industrial development of the Arctic, pollution and destruction of habitats, direct destruction - poaching. The factor limiting the movement of the polar bear is the seasonal state sea ice. One of the main tasks of the expedition was to test the method and technology for organizing work on satellite tagging at a remote location. Arctic territory Franz Josef Land State Nature Reserve.
In adverse weather conditions, with strong winds and frost below -20°C, for almost a month of work, the scientists managed to catch and immobilize 4 male polar bears. Two of them were wearing satellite collars. Russian production, which continue to work at the moment, although the first marked bear collar dropped.
Vladimir Putin, together with scientists, put a satellite collar on a bear caught in a special trap
In August 2008, Vladimir Putin, together with specialists from the Kronotsky Nature Reserve in Kamchatka, took part in a scientific expedition to study the gray whale. Vladimir Putin shot a whale with a crossbow with a special arrow in order to take a piece of gray whale skin for analysis. In May 2010, the head of the Government released Sochi from the cage into the enclosure. national park one of two female leopards brought from Iran.
Recently, at a meeting with Tomsk students, Vladimir Putin said that he considers it necessary to introduce additional economic mechanisms to protect the environment. On the eve of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, it is worth recalling that the only chance for the conservation of the animal world of Russia is the continuation of work to preserve and improve the ecological situation in the country, the creation of conditions for stopping poaching and a reasonable approach to the use natural resources countries, including hunting management.
We can confidently assume that without the support of Vladimir Putin, programs to support, study and preserve rare and especially important animals in Russia will lose funding and stop. Therefore, choosing Putin as the President of the Russian Federation, every person interested in the further development and prosperity of Russia will make the right choice.
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