Saving wild tigers: A case study in biodiversity loss and challenges to be met for recovery beyond 2010

Wild tigers are being annihilated. Tiger range countries and their partners met at the 1st Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in January 2010 to mandate the creation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program to double the number of tigers by 2022. Only 3200–3600 wild adult tigers remain, approximately half of the population estimated a decade ago. Tigers now live in only 13 countries, all of which are experiencing severe environmental challenges and degradation from the effects of human population growth, brisk economic expansion, rapid urbanization, massive infrastructure development and climate change. The overarching challenge of tiger conservation, and the conservation of biodiversity generally, is that there is insufficient demand for the survival of wild tigers living in natural landscapes. This allows the criminal activities of poaching wild tigers and their prey and trafficking in tiger derivatives to flourish and tiger landscapes to be diminished. The Global Tiger Recovery Program will support scaling up of practices already proven effective in one or more tiger range countries that need wider policy support, usually resources, and new transnational actions that enhance the effectiveness of individual country actions. The program is built on robust National Tiger Recovery Priorities that are grouped into themes: (i) strengthening policies that protect tigers; (ii) protecting tiger conservation landscapes; (iii) scientific management and monitoring; (iv) engaging communities; (v) cooperative management of international tiger landscapes; (vi) eliminating transnational illegal wildlife trade; (vii) persuading people to stop consuming tiger; (viii) enhancing professional capacity of policy-makers and practitioners; and (ix) developing sustainable, long-term financing mechanisms for tiger and biodiversity conservation.     

Estimating abundance and density of Amur tigers along the Sino–Russian border

As an apex predator the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) could play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of forest ecosystems in Northeast Asia. Due to habitat loss and harvest over the past century, tigers rapidly declined in China and are now restricted to the Russian Far East and bordering habitat in nearby China. To facilitate restoration of the tiger in its historical range, reliable estimates of population size are essential to assess effectiveness of conservation interventions. Here we used camera trap data collected in Hunchun National Nature Reserve from April to June 2013 and 2014 to estimate tiger density and abundance using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) methods. A minimum of 8 individuals were detected in both sample periods and the documentation of marking behavior and reproduction suggests the presence of a resident population. Using Bayesian SECR modeling within the 11 400 km² state space, density estimates were 0.33 and 0.40 individuals/100 km² in 2013 and 2014, respectively, corresponding to an estimated abundance of 38 and 45 animals for this transboundary Sino–Russian population. In a maximum likelihood framework, we estimated densities of 0.30 and 0.24 individuals/100 km² corresponding to abundances of 34 and 27, in 2013 and 2014, respectively. These density estimates are comparable to other published estimates for resident Amur tiger populations in the Russian Far East. This study reveals promising signs of tiger recovery in Northeast China, and demonstrates the importance of connectivity between the Russian and Chinese populations for recovering tigers in Northeast China.     

Improving effectiveness of protection efforts in tiger source sites: Developing a framework for law enforcement monitoring using MIST

Wild tigers are in a critical state with an estimated population decline of more than 95% over the past century. Improving the capacity and effectiveness of law enforcement in reducing poaching of tigers is an immediate priority to secure remaining wild populations in source sites. From 2008–2010, standardized patrol-based law enforcement monitoring (LEM) was established under the Tigers Forever Program across 8 key tiger sites in order to improve and evaluate law enforcement interventions. Patrol-based monitoring has the distinct advantage of providing regular and rapid information on illegal activities and ranger performance, although, until recently, it has received relatively little scrutiny from the conservation community. The present paper outlines a framework for implementation of LEM in tiger source sites using MIST, a computerized management information system for ranger-based data collection. The framework addresses many of the technical, practical and institutional challenges involved in the design, implementation, sustainability and evaluation of LEM. Adoption of such a framework for LEM is a cost-effective strategy to improve the efficiency of law enforcement efforts, to increase the motivation of enforcement staff and to promote the accountability of law enforcement agencies in addressing threats to tigers. When combined with independent, systematic and science-based monitoring of tigers and their prey, LEM has great potential for evaluating the effectiveness of protection-based conservation investments.     

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae): A review of conservation status

The majority of wild Sumatran tigers are believed to live in 12 Tiger Conservation Landscapes covering approximately 88 000 km². However, the actual distribution of tigers across Sumatra has never been accurately mapped. Over the past 20 years, conservation efforts focused on the Sumatran tigers have increased, but the population continues to decline as a result of several key threats. To identify the status of the Sumatran tiger distribution across the island, an island-wide questionnaire survey comprised of 35 respondents from various backgrounds was conducted between May and June 2010. The survey found that Sumatran tigers are positively present in 27 habitat patches larger than 250 km² and possibly present in another 2. In addition, a review on major published studies on the Sumatran tiger was conducted to identify the current conservation status of the Sumatran tiger. Collectively, these studies have identified several key factors that have contributed to the decline of Sumatran tiger populations, including: forest habitat fragmentation and loss, direct killing of tigers and their prey, and the retaliatory killing of tigers due to conflict with villagers. The present paper provides management authorities and the international community with a recent assessment and a base map of the actual distribution of Sumatran tigers as well as a general overview on the current status and possible future conservation challenges of Sumatran tiger management.     

Indicators of success for smart law enforcement in protected areas: A case study for Russian Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) reserves

Although considerable conservation resources have been committed to develop and use law enforcement monitoring and management tools such as SMART, measures of success are ill‐defined and, to date, few reports detail results post‐implementation. Here, we present 4 case studies from protected areas with Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia, in which indicators of success were defined and evaluated at each. The ultimate goal was an increase in tiger numbers to 1 individual/100 km² at each site. We predicted that improvements in law enforcement effectiveness would be followed by increases in prey numbers and, subsequently, tiger numbers. We used short‐term and long‐term indicators of success, including: (i) patrol team effort and effectiveness; (ii) catch per unit effort indicators (to measure reductions in threats); and (iii) changes in target species numbers. In addition to implementing a monitoring system, we focused on improving law enforcement management using an adaptive management process. Over 4 years, we noted clear increases in patrol effort and a partial reduction in threats. Although we did not detect clear trends in ungulate numbers, tiger populations remained stable or increased, suggesting that poaching of tigers may be more limiting than prey depletion. Increased effectiveness is needed before a clear reduction in threats can be noted, and more time is needed before detecting responses in target populations. Nonetheless, delineation of concrete goals and indicators of success provide a means of evaluating progress and weaknesses. Such monitoring should be a central component of law enforcement strategies for protected areas.     

Historic distribution and recent loss of tigers in China

Historical records can provide important evidence of changes in distributions of wildlife species. Here we discuss the distribution of the tiger (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) over the past 2000 years in China based on 2635 historical records. We also compare tiger distributions outlined in these records with ecosystem type maps. Throughout this time period, tigers maintained a broad distribution across 7 biomes (from forests to deserts). However, in recent decades the range has been significantly condensed. Today, only 2 populations remain, neither of which is independently viable. Tigers have completely disappeared from the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of central China, a region that was traditionally their most important biome in China. The continued presence of wild tigers in China is highly dependent on significant conservation measures.     

Endoparasites of the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

There have been few reports on the diversity and prevalence of parasitic fauna of the endangered Siberian tiger, which inhabits the territory of the Russian Far East. The present review attempts to summarize the information about the parasitic fauna of wild Siberian tigers, which includes 15 helminths and 3 protozoan species. The most prevalent parasitic species was found to be Toxocara cati, followed by Toxascaris leonina. Another commonly recorded Platyhelminth species is Paragonimus westermani, which causes a lethal infection of the lung parenchyma in Siberian tigers. However, the information about infections by this fluke in the Siberian tigers is scarce, although P. westermani infections pose a serious health hazard to tiger populations. The nematodes Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Thominx aerophilus are found in Siberian tigers with an occurrence rate of 2.3% and 19%, respectively. The information on the parasitic infestations of captive populations of Siberian tigers is also presented along with the sources of infection and hazards for the wild tiger populations in their natural environment.     

利用触发相机在中国湖南省壶瓶山国家级自然保护区追踪华南虎

2001—2003年的20个月里,我们在中国湖南省壶瓶山国家级自然保护区内设置了一些触发相机,以确定该地区是否存在华南虎（Pantheratigrisamoyensis）。共设置r3种触发相机,包括TrailMaster（美国）的主动式和被动式相机以及WildlifeTwo（中国深圳）的被动式相机。首先在保护区西部沿着小路和动物足迹放置了一些相机。之后又从2002年开始在保护区东部追加放置了一些相机,这是因为有村民报告在这一区域发生了家畜丢失,发现猫科动物足迹以及听到吼叫声。在2002年5月到2003年12月的20个月期间,共8307个拍摄日,获得6180张照片,其中有1437张包括野生动物（平均每100个拍摄日17张野生动物照片）。合计拍摄到33种野生动物。,野猪（Susscrofa）、红腹锦鸡（Chrysolophuspictu．s）和毛冠鹿（Elaphoduscephalophus）是被拍摄最频繁的物种。既没有拍到虎和其他大型猫科动物,也没有拍到水鹿（Cervusunicolor）这种虎重要的猎物。最频繁被拍摄到的猫科动物是豹猫（Prionailurusbengalensis）。村民偶尔报告的掠走山羊的事件可能是豹（Pantherapardta）造成的,但是不能确定。利用触发相机调查超过1000d没有拍摄到虎,这一充分的证据足以支持该调查区没有虎的结论（d=0．05）。20个月超过8300个拍摄日没有在壶瓶山拍摄到虎,显示该地区没有虎。值得注意的结果是拍到红腹锦鸡、黄喉貂（Martesflavigula）、毛冠鹿和黑熊（Ursusthibetanus）的频率很高。这些物种是中国或国际受保护物种,包括被列为国内受保护物种,或同时列为国际受保护物种,又或者像毛冠鹿这种几乎是未知的物种。壶瓶山国家级自然保护区附近有3个保护区。我们讨论建议将这4个保护区合并为一个更大的保护地域来保护虎及其猎物。并且在此简要地评论了我们使用的3种触发相机的性能。     

Securing a future for wild Indochinese tigers: Transforming tiger vacuums into tiger source sites

A century ago, tigers (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) were so common in parts of Southeast Asia as to be considered pests, and governments sponsored their killing. Habitat loss and fragmentation, market-driven poaching and loss of prey have since led to the disappearance of Indochinese tigers from most their former range. Despite 15 years of dedicated tiger conservation funding, national estimates of Indochinese tiger subpopulations can at best only be roughly approximated. The future for the subspecies appears grim unless very focused efforts can be applied to stabilize and recover subpopulations. On a regional scale, the 2 proposed subspecies Panthera tigris corbetti and P. tigris jacksoni are effectively managed as separate conservation units. Evaluating where to place conservation efforts should consider the vulnerability (likelihood of extinction) and irreplaceability (likelihood that an area contributes uniquely to regional conservation) of tiger subpopulations. Only 1 site in Thailand supporting <200 individuals (Huai Kha Khaeng–Thung Yai) is considered low vulnerability, and is irreplaceable. Five sites in Lao, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia are medium vulnerability and irreplaceable. Priorities at these 6 sites are to double tiger numbers within 10 years through protection and monitoring. Seven sites in Lao, Thailand and Myanmar are high vulnerability and irreplaceable, and might be recovered if government commitment to tigers, staff capacity and legal frameworks for tiger protection are established. Tigers are extremely vulnerable or even extinct in Cambodia's Eastern Plains and the site is irreplaceable for tigers because it represents the only large (>10 000 km²) block of dry forest habitat available in the region. A reintroduction program is the only option to recover tigers there.     

Review of research methodologies for tigers: Telemetry

Over the past half century, wildlife research has relied on technological advances to gain additional insight into the secretive lives of animals. This revolution started in the 1960s with the development of radio telemetry and continues today with the use of Global Positioning System (GPS)-based research techniques. In the present paper we review the history of radio telemetry from its origins with grizzly bears in Yellowstone to its early applications in tiger research and conservation in Asia. We address the different types of data that are available using radio telemetry as opposed to using other research techniques, such as behavioral observations, camera trapping, DNA analysis and scat analysis. In the late 1990s, the rapid development of GPS collar technology revolutionized wildlife research. This new technology has enabled researchers to dramatically improve their ability to gather data on animal movements and ecology. Despite the ecological and conservation benefits of radio telemetry, there have been few telemetry studies of tigers in the wild, and most have been on the Bengal or Amur subspecies. We close with an assessment of the current tiger conservation efforts using GPS technology and discuss how this new information can help to preserve tigers for future generations.     

浅谈野生虎生态学研究

虎在生态系统中处在食物链的顶端，是自然保护中的旗舰物种，具有重要的生态价值和科学价值。目前，虎的分布范围及数量已经明显减少，成为最受威胁的大型猫科动物之一。针对虎的这种濒危状况，虎的研究得到了极大关注，尤其是野生虎的生态学研究。本文综述了野生虎生态学的研究，从野生虎生态学的研究历史出发，作者认为野生虎的保护应该做到以下几点：减少人为干扰；保护好现有虎栖息地，对现有虎种群实行异质种群管理；建立新的保护区，扩大虎的栖息地；设法扩大虎猎物种群的数量。     

A comparison of food habits and prey preferences of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) at the southwest Primorskii Krai in Russia and Hunchun in China

A small, isolated Amur tiger population ranges across the southwest Primorskii Krai region in Russia and Hunchun region in China. Many individuals, with “dual nationality,” cross the border frequently. Formulating effective conservation strategies requires a clear understanding of tiger food requirements in both countries. While the diets of tigers ranging in Russia is clearly understood, little is known of the tigers' feeding habits in China.. We used scat analysis combined with data on the abundance of 4 prey species to examine Amur tiger diet and prey preferences in Hunchun. We examined 53 tiger scat samples from 2011 to 2016 and found that tigers preyed on 12 species (11 species in winter), 4 of which were domestic animals with 33.58% biomass contribution; this was the first record of Amur tigers eating lynx in this area. Tigers showed a strong preference for wild boar (Jacobs index: +0.849), which were also the most frequently consumed prey, and a strong avoidance of roe deer (Jacobs index: ?0.693). On the Russian side, domestic animals (just dog) were rarely found in tiger scat, and tigers did not show strong avoidance of roe deer, but of sika deer. We also found red deer footprints during winter surveys and that tigers ate red deer on the Chinese side, while there was no record of red deer feeding on the Russian side. Reducing or eliminating human disturbance, such as grazing, is essential to recovering tiger prey and habitat in this area and the Sino‐Russian joint ungulate annual survey is indispensable for prey estimates of this small, isolated Amur tiger population.     

Density and carrying capacity in the forgotten tigerland: Tigers in the understudied Nepalese Churia

While there are numerous wildlife ecology studies in lowland areas of Nepal, there are no in‐depth studies of the hilly Churia habitat even though it comprises 7642 km² of potential wildlife habitat across the Terai Arc. We investigated tiger, leopard and prey densities across this understudied habitat. Our camera trapping survey covered 536 km² of Churia and surrounding areas within Chitwan National Park (CNP). We used 161 trapping locations and accumulated 2097 trap‐nights in a 60‐day survey period during the winter season of 2010–2011. In addition, we walked 136 km over 81 different line transects using distance sampling to estimate prey density. We photographed 31 individual tigers, 28 individual leopards and 25 other mammalian species. Spatial capture–recapture methods resulted in lower density estimates for tigers, ranging from 2.3 to 2.9 tigers per 100 km², than for leopards, which ranged from 3.3 to 5.1 leopards per 100 km². In addition, leopard densities were higher in the core of the Churia compared to surrounding areas. We estimated 62.7 prey animals per 100 km² with forest ungulate prey (sambar, chital, barking deer and wild pig), accounting for 47% of the total. Based on prey availability, Churia habitat within CNP could potentially support 5.86 tigers per 100 km² but our density estimates were lower, perhaps indicating that the tiger population is below carrying capacity. Our results demonstrate that Churia habitat should not be ignored in conservation initiatives, but rather management efforts should focus on reducing human disturbance to support higher predator numbers.     

Human–tiger conflict: A review and call for comprehensive plans

Human-tiger (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) conflicts (HTC), manifested primarily as attacks on people and domestic animals, exacerbate at least 2 major threats to tigers: (i) conflicts often result in mortality or removal of tigers from the wild; and (ii) they result in negative attitudes towards tigers by local people, thereby reducing support for tiger conservation. Although HTC has decreased over the past century, it will likely increase if current and proposed conservation initiatives to double tiger populations are successful. Increased HTC could undermine successful conservation initiatives if proactive steps are not taken to reduce HTC. The present paper provides a review of the impacts of HTC and the measures taken to reduce it in ways that reduce negative impacts on both humans and tigers, and stresses the need for development and implementation of comprehensive plans to reduce HTC.     

东北虎（Panthera tigris altaica）个体识别技术研究进展

对东北虎种群的科学监测是采取有效保护、管理及恢复措施的基础,而准确的个体识别又是保证有效监测的前提。尤其是在中国,在野生东北虎种群数量很少,种群密度极低的情况下,能根据它留下的各种信息进行个体识别就显得尤为重要。目前,用于野生东北虎个体识别的技术主要有：足迹识别、DNA识别、条纹识别以及气味识别等。本文对这几种技术的特点、研究进展、应用注意事项等做了介绍,并且结合中国的实际情况,分析每种技术在中国的适用性,认为如果要建立中国的东北虎种群数量数据库,足迹识别和DNA识别比较适合在中国现有东北虎分布区推广使用。通过足迹识别,信息容易获取,也是最经济和比较成熟的方法;由于种群密度低,含DNA的遗传样本虽不能每次都采集到,但可以长期积累;现阶段条纹和气味识别只能起到辅助的作用。     

济南动物园孟加拉虎和非洲狮行为节律与游客行为的关系

动物园是迁地保护的重要场所,研究动物行为与游客行为可以为动物和游客管理提供有价值的信息。本文分析了济南动物园孟加拉虎、非洲狮的日行为活动节律,以及其行为与游客行为之间的关系。结果显示:孟加拉虎的日行为中走动时间所占比例最大,占45. 47%;其次是睡眠,占43%,卧息占10. 88%,其他行为仅占0. 65%;非洲狮卧息时间所占比例最大,占62. 76%;其次是睡眠,占27. 82%,走动行为占7. 24%;其他行为仅占2. 18%。二者行为与游客召唤、拍照行为以及游客停留时间存在一定的相关关系。游客停留时间与孟加拉虎的活跃状态存在显著相关性;当其睡眠时,游客的召唤行为增加,游客的停留时间也随之增长。游客拍照行为与非洲狮卧息行为有一定相关性。因此动物园应增加环境丰富度,促进动物自然、多样的行为表达;加强游客教育,为游客创造更好的观赏体验,以提高动物园的综合效益。     

Noninvasive genetics provides insights into the population size and genetic diversity of an Amur tiger population in China

Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species. The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conservation. Due to habitat loss and human activities, available habitat and population size are continuously shrinking. However, little is known about the true population size and genetic diversity of wild tiger populations in China. In this study, we collected 55 fecal samples and 1 hair sample to investigate the population size and genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers in Hunchun National Nature Reserve, Jilin Province, China. From the samples, we determined that 23 fecal samples and 1 hair sample were from 7 Amur tigers: 2 males, 4 females and 1 individual of unknown sex. Interestingly, 2 fecal samples that were presumed to be from tigers were from Amur leopards, highlighting the significant advantages of noninvasive genetics over traditional methods in studying rare and elusive animals. Analyses from this sample suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers is much lower than that of Bengal tigers, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of this Hunchun population in China was lower than that of the adjoining subpopulation in southwest Primorye Russia, likely due to sampling bias. Considering the small population size and relatively low genetic diversity, it is urgent to protect this endangered local subpopulation in China.     

Applying molecular genetic tools to tiger conservation

The utility of molecular genetic approaches in conservation of endangered taxa is now commonly recognized. Over the past decade, conservation genetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA sequencing and microsatellite genotyping have provided powerful tools to resolve taxonomy uncertainty of tiger subspecies, to define conservation units, to reconstruct phylogeography and demographic history, to examine the genetic ancestry of extinct subspecies, to assess population genetic status non-invasively, and to verify genetic background of captive tigers worldwide. The genetic status of tiger subspecies and populations and implications for developing strategies for the survival of this charismatic species both in situ and ex situ are discussed.     

中国虎的起源和濒危过程的研究

依据中国虎化石的记录,研究了虎的起源,提出了虎是起源于中国黄河流域中部的新观点。认为中国华北地区的虎应是世界上虎的最古老的地理种群,并依据实地调查结果阐述了我国虎的濒危过程及致危原因。     

圈养东北虎育幼期行为观察

2017年3月19日昆明动物园1头雌性东北虎产下3只幼仔。本项研究通过监控视频,使用瞬时扫描法,记录了雌虎及幼虎在此日后30 d内的行为并进行了整理和分析;观察结果显示,雌虎在哺乳初期的行为以休息和哺乳为主,分别占到了行为总频率的55.13%和19.21%,而幼虎在哺乳初期的行为以休息和吮乳为主,分别占到了71.25%和12.98%。不同时期雌虎出现的休息、哺乳、亲幼虎行为差异显著(P<0.05),移动、进食和其他行为的差异极显著(P<0.01);幼虎表现出的休息、吮乳、拱拔、张望、玩耍和其他行为在6个时期都呈现极显著差异(P<0.01),亲雌虎行为差异显著(P<0.05),而移动行为在不同时期的差异不显著;幼虎在哺乳初期还有新的行为发育出现。