Siberian Tiger | Return
At the dawn of the 20th century, over 100,000 wild tigers roamed across Asia. By 2010, this number had tragically dwindled to about 3,200, a result of habitat loss, human hunting, poaching, prolonged inbreeding, and skewed sex ratios. Adding to this bleak picture, the Bali, Central Asian, and Javan tigers have all vanished. The South China tiger, native only to China, has been scarcely sighted since the 1990s, marking its likely extinction in the wild.
In a bid to address this crisis, representatives from 13 tiger-inhabited countries, including heavyweights like Russia, India, China, and Indonesia, convened in St. Petersburg, Russia in November 2010. Collectively, they endorsed the “Global Tiger Recovery Program,” setting an audacious goal to double the tiger population to at least 6,000 by the next Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiac, in 2022. Yet, as 2022 rolled in, the population count fell short, hovering around 4,500 and missing the ambitious target.
Still flagged as “endangered” by the IUCN Red List, the tiger’s survival is paramount for the health of its ecosystem. To delve deeper into the challenges tigers face, and to explore the current state and prospects of both wild and captive tigers, we journeyed to the world-renowned Siberian Tiger Forest Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. There, we had the privilege of conversing with Liu Dan, the park’s chief engineer and a dedicated custodian of Siberian tigers for over three decades.
After joining the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1993, China has continually revised and enhanced its laws, stringently banning all trade in tiger bones. Moreover, efforts to raise awareness and bolster wildlife conservation have been amplified. From just a dozen in the 1980s, the wild Siberian tiger population in China has now grown to over 60. Meanwhile, the number of captive-bred Siberian tigers has surged past 1,000. The establishment and growth of the Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center 6 and the Harbin Siberian Tiger Forest Park have been pivotal in advancing the protection and conservation of the Siberian tiger subspecies over the past four decades.
“In the early 1980s, only a dozen wild Siberian tigers remained in China, pushing them to the brink of extinction. Such small populations risk genetic decline, leading to high mortality rates among young tigers, often resulting in deformities and premature deaths. Between 1986 and 1995, we saw incremental increases in tiger populations, starting with the first batch of 8 tigers, growing to 10, then 20. During these initial ten years, tigers were kept in total isolation under strict off-site protection. As the population grew, we began to address the issue of inbreeding. With the founding of the Siberian Tiger Forest Park in Harbin, we adopted a semi-open habitat model. Before this, there were no guidelines or textbooks to follow. Although local zoos had some prior experience with tigers, managing large populations was uncharted territory.”
“Additionally, funding for tiger conservation and their feeding posed significant challenges. In the past, relying solely on bank loans wasn’t feasible. The policy back then could be summarized as ‘Let the tiger fend for itself.’ In January 1996, the Tiger Forest Park was established in Harbin, aimed at providing tigers a sustainable environment while also addressing their basic needs.”
“We’re currently employing a two-step approach. First, we’re focused on maintaining the captive population while conducting genetic screening; it’s not just about increasing numbers. Over the past decade, dedicated funds have been allocated for gene sequencing. Initially, we examine the inbreeding coefficient, then screen for diseases, genetic defects, physical attributes, fur color, stripe patterns, and both maternal and paternal traits to evaluate gene quality.”
“To survive in the wild, tigers must master stealth, recognize prey signs such as wind direction, scents, footprints, and droppings. Captive tigers lack experience with wild prey. For example, introducing them to wild boar scents helps, but they still fall short of wild tigers in terms of endurance, cold resistance, hunting, and reproduction. The differences are significant.”
“Our future vision includes creating an advanced wild training zone for tigers, situated within their natural habitats. This area, devoid of human or vehicle interaction, will utilize smart monitoring techniques. Tigers will learn genuine hunting and breeding in the wild. A key step is to allow a pregnant tigress to give birth in the wild, under surveillance, without human interference. The success of breeding captive tigers in the wild is groundbreaking at a global scale. Only with nature’s trials and early training can they truly adapt.”
“After 40 years dedicated to the protection and development of natural forests, we’ve seen a remarkable recovery in wild ecosystems, resulting in a resurgence of prey for tigers. The establishment of the Siberian Tiger and Leopard National Park in 2018, spanning Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces and adjoining a protected area in Russia (in total 17,200 square kilometers), ensures the continued growth of wild Siberian tiger populations.”
“In our 30-year journey of raising tigers, we’ve transitioned from population conservation to reintroduction into the wild. The restoration of China’s wild tiger numbers and enhancement of their genetic diversity is imminent. Achieving our end goal is just a matter of time.”
“Since 1986, when the Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center was established, international feline experts visited and assessed our base twice. The idea of a feline breeding center in China garnered international recognition and attention. Yet, there were questions about our purpose and the number of tigers we housed. These were points of contention. Notably, academician of ICCA RAS, who oversaw Putin’s 2014 tiger release, visited our base in 2016. He came away inspired and expressed full confidence in our Chinese specialists.”
“Our experts concur that the future will demand transnational protection, and we’ve been seeking this cooperation. Historically, border issues posed challenges, but now passages are open, allowing tigers to move seamlessly across borders. In recent years, tigers from both sides have ventured across the border temporarily. The future of tiger conservation will inevitably involve cross-border efforts, including species introductions as a key collaborative direction.”
“In April 2021, we captured a tiger which I named ‘Wanda Mountain No. 1.’ It marked China’s first capture of a wild tiger. This tiger, born in the wild, had been with its mother until it was about two or three years old. Later, while hunting, it mistakenly wandered into a village. By the time we got there in the afternoon, the local community and vehicles had already agitated the tiger. In its distress, it harmed both people and vehicles, ultimately seeking refuge in a diesel storage area at a farmer’s house. With the help of a veterinarian, we administered anesthesia, a process that took about four hours. After its successful capture, I consulted the State Forestry Administration and then transported the tiger to the Hengdaohezi base for recovery and testing. There, we sequenced its DNA and conducted health screenings.”
“Subsequent to the capture, a conference with both domestic and international experts was convened to deliberate on the tiger’s release. Some raised concerns about the potential risks to humans if the tiger were released. From our expert perspective, we contended that the tiger, being a wild-born specimen, should be reintroduced to its natural habitat. Its venture into the village was an isolated incident due to its youth and naivety.”
“After thorough scientific evaluation, we identified an appropriate location for its release. We’ve monitored the tiger using a tracking collar for over a year. The tiger has thrived in the wild, with surveillance cameras capturing its activities. Initially weighing 200 kilograms upon release, recent images reveal a robust tiger, now weighing close to 250 kilograms and aged five years.”
“While circuses and ‘cubs paradise’ settings offer a chance for children to learn about animals, it presents a limited view. Particularly, the proximity to humans is not a practice we endorse.”
“Our facility not only focuses on the protection and restoration of wild tigers but also the preservation and education of tiger culture. Over the past two decades, millions have visited, becoming familiar with tigers and understanding their habits, cultural significance, and ecological role. Though direct interaction with tigers might not be ideal in terms of animal habits, it provides an invaluable opportunity for education and awareness.”
“Not all tigers carry the same conservation value. What’s the role of tigers that result from selective breeding and evolution? I believe in promoting the legacy of tiger culture and its natural education, fulfilling our mission in the process. It’s a misstep to conflate these two aspects, or to take an extreme viewpoint on them.”
Documented by Tang Siyu. Words and interview by Murphy Guo.
*This story was published in noisé 03 The Last Unicorn, 2023.