Experience in rehabilitation of the Amur tiger cubs (Panthera tigris altaica) for subsequent reintroduction

The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is a rare valuable representative of the wild fauna. Special measures for its conservation include prohibition of tiger hunting and this species inclusion in the Federal Red Book and in some other RF subjects Red Books. But the time has proved these actions to be insufficient for preservation of this «red book» species within its historical habitat, therefore some additional measures have been adopted. The article presents stages of the orphaned Amur tiger cubs’ rehabilitation and special preparation for living conditions in the wild environment. The authors describe practical measures for training and final adaptation of rehabilitated tigers in the wild nature after their release in the north of their historical habitat, within the Jewish Autonomous region borders, where the species completely disappeared in the second half of the twentieth century. Thus, in the Jewish Autonomous region, the Amur tiger population core has been revived. According to the RF state monitoring of the Amur tiger for the period of 2021–2022, there are more than 20 individuals in that territory, which exceeds the number of tigers, observed in 1950–1960. This rare species population revival in the north of its historical range is very important for both biodiversity maintaining and cognitive interest in the region.