In a capitalist world, the move towards industrialization and development seems to dominate over the importance of the ecosystem. As a result, deforestation and extinction of a lot of animals took place. In an effort to stop this phenomenon from recurring, global efforts are made to protect the various species that are now on the endangered list.
For example, the Siberian Tiger, also known as Amur Tiger is one of the many animals that are highly declining
in numbers. In 2005, there were 331-393 adult sub-adult Siberian tigers
in this region, with only a breeding adult population of about 250
individuals. The population has been stable for more than a decade due to
intensive conservation efforts, but partial
surveys conducted after 2005 indicate that the Russian tiger population is
declining! The Siberian tiger is
reddish-rusty or rusty-yellow in colour, with narrow black transverse
stripes. The fur of
the Siberian tiger is moderately thick, coarse and sparse compared to that of
other felids living in the former Soviet Union. It is mainly found in
Russia with some found in China and it is the largest living felid and ranks
among the biggest felids to ever exist.
Siberian tigers reach sexual
maturity at four years of age. They mate at any time of the year. Two or four
cubs are usually born but there can be as many as six. The cubs are born blind
in a sheltered den and are left alone when the female
leaves to hunt for food. Cubs are divided equally between genders at birth. However,
by adulthood there are usually two to four females for every male. The female
cubs remain with their mothers longer, and later they establish territories
close to their original ranges. Male cubs, on the other hand, travel
unaccompanied and range farther making them more vulnerable for attacks.
The decline of this extraordinary
species is mainly caused by poaching; the illegal hunting of tigers in the area
is the reason they are at risk of extinction. Plus, in the past, the building
of railroads seemed to cut off the population in specific parts thus confining
it to a limited area and number.
Recommendations for Conservation:
Awareness on the effects of
poaching and the risk of extinction of this species is the key solution to save
these amazing animals. Plus, further measures have been taken to ensure the
survival of tigers and their safety.
Tigers are included in the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Appendix I, banning international trade. Furthermore, in 1992,
the Siberian Tiger Project was founded, with the aim of providing a
comprehensive picture of the ecology of Siberian tiger and the role of tigers
in the Russian Far East through scientific studies. By capturing and outfitting
tigers with radio collars a lot of data is gathered
concerning the way they live. These data compilations will hopefully contribute toward minimizing poaching threats due to traditional
hunting. The Siberian Tiger Project has been productive in increasing
local capacity to address human-tiger conflict with a Tiger Response Team,
part of the Russian government’s Inspection Tiger, which responds to all
tiger-human conflicts.
In August 2010, China and Russia
agreed to enhance conservation and cooperation in protected areas in a Tran’s
boundary area for Siberian tigers. China has undertaken a series of public
awareness campaigns including celebration of the first Global Tiger Day in
July 2010, and International Forum on Tiger Conservation and Tiger
Culture and China 2010 Hunchun Siberian Tiger Culture Festival in
August 2010.
In December 2010, the Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS Russia) and Phoenix Fund initiated
a project in co-operation with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to
improve the protection of tigers and prey species in four key-protected areas.
Rotaract
Club of LAU Byblos – RID 2450, LEBANON
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