ALTA Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance. Newsflash, November 2011

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1 ALTA Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance Newsflash, November 2011 The first ever camera trap photo of an Amur tiger in Zov Tigra National Park Linda Kerley/ZSL In this issue: One step closer to Leopard Land! Camera trap success. The death of the Bad guy by Misha. Say Cheese Photograph selection. The effect of canine breakage on tiger survival, reproduction and human-tiger conflict by Goodrich, M., et al. Fire fighting progress.

2 ALTA (Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance) is a coalition of 13 international and Russian NGOs working together for the conservation of Amur tigers and leopards. ALTA members have been co-operating for many years in developing, financing and implementing conservation projects in both Russia and China. This newsflash is produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to update supporters on Amur leopard and tiger news. ALTA partners: Newsflash, July 2011 One step closer to Leopard Land! On May 16 th the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is responsible for supervising the Amur leopard conservation program, held a meeting at Vladivostok. He announced that a National Park, Land of the Leopard will be established with a size of 380,000 hectares, twice as large as the present protected areas in the Amur leopard s range in Russia. He declared that We should do the utmost to conserve this, the most northern and rarest leopard. There has been a lack of attention for Amur leopard conservation for many years but this initiative is an indicator of a long-awaited attitude change in government policy. The Deputy Prime Minister, who has taken a personal interest in the Amur leopard since a visit to its range about four years ago, outlined the reasons behind the enlargement in his speech: We agreed on the park s borders. Scientists determined that a large part of the population lives outside of the present protected areas, northeast of the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve and the Leopardoviy Wildlife refuge. Therefore it was decided to include part of this forested area in a protected zone.

3 The enlarged area includes land behind the fenced off border zone and parts of the Nezhinsky and Borisovsky hunting estates. However, no hunting with dogs will be allowed in the area. Also, Sergei Ivanov stated that a 600meters long tunnel will be constructed near the Narvinsky pass on the RazdolnoeKhasan route, in order to diminish the risk of leopards colliding with lorries on the federal highway. The tunnel is designed to preserve traditional routes used by leopards to cross the road. The map above shows the existing protected areas in green and the new protected area (Leopard Land National Park) in red. Katerina at Pittsburgh Zoo Amanda Westerlund

4 Camera trap success! Camera traps have been used in Lazovsky State Nature Reserve for the past four years and they have provided valuable information about Amur tigers ever since. In 2010 only seven adults were identified, fewer than in previous years where between nine and twelve adult tigers were seen. Two females previously seen had disappeared with poachers being the main suspects. Fewer females clearly means fewer litters are produced and in fact no cubs had been reported since On October 16 th 2009, WCS Russia announced that the Amur tiger population, which had previously been stable for 30 years, was once again in decline across their range. The use of camera traps in Lazovsky State Nature Reserve proved to be a useful tool in tiger monitoring as it allowed for the problem to be seen on a local level and as a result, anti-poaching measures were taken. In 2010 WCS, Phoenix Fund and ZSL collaborated to strengthen anti-poaching brigades (APs) in Lazovsky Zapovednik and Zov Tigra. The APs implement a management information system called MIST. MIST is a database which processes data collected on poaching activities. It increases the AP brigades effectiveness by helping them to analyse and understand the poaching dynamics in the region. Camera trap photo of an Amur tiger in Lazovsky Zapovednik Linda Kerley/ZSL

5 The effectiveness of the AP brigades was verified when by May 2011, twelve tigers had been identified in Lazovsky Zapovednik. In March 2011, evidence of two litters was found, followed by evidence of a third and fourth litter in April and May respectively. Camera trap photo of an Amur tiger and cub in Lazovsky Zapovednik Linda Kerley/ZSL Although the Amur tiger population is still at risk from poachers and habitat destruction, the results on a local level are promising. In addition camera traps provide information about other endangered species in Lazovsky Zapovednik. Images of the endangered goral and the rare musk deer, which was thought to be locally extinct, were also captured. The effectiveness of the programme meant we could continue to implement the system, and in May 2011 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ALTA partners, Lazovsky Zapovednik and Zov Tigra Reserves to continue the work of APs during the next two years. Camera trap photo of gorals in Lazovsky Zapovednik Linda Kerley/ZSL

6 The death of the Bad guy by Mikhail (Misha) Goncharuk The story starts with phone call in the last days of the February It was my friend-biologist from Sikhote- Alinsky reserve (North-East of Primorsky kray). He told me that dead tiger was found there recently. Tiger died with quite strange conditions, and necropsy should be performed soon. Conditions were really strange front limbs were covered by multiple deep wounds/bites. Tiger took these wounds presumably from another tiger. However, there were no visible serious traumas that could cause animal death. Of course, such event produced for me huge interest and enthusiasm to investigate this case. For the first I contacted institution, where necropsy should be performed, to clear up question of my presence and taking part in this procedure. Pathologists warmly accepted my application, and reported that necropsy should be performed on the 3rd of March (i.e. in three days). Undoubtedly, necropsy will throw light on many things, but I was bursting to find out something and I started to collect information about tiger, his life all that was possible. Tiger is happened to be resident male of the area. Tiger was not radiocollared, but phototraps caught animal quite often. The first time was in 2007 when our friend was photographed near red deer kill. According to assertions of biologists in that time animal was about 1,5 2 years old, thus animal was 5,5 years old at least to this moment. It was also discovered that female was present in this area, and possibly another male. Our male spent about twenty four hours on the rookery (in one place) before death. Who did such deep bites still was a mystery. The day of necropsy had come. People from different government and nongovernment organizations had assembled there. It was established that wounds on the limbs were taken relatively for a long time ago, it was bites of another tiger. Wounds were seriously infected (they had color of boiled meat). Septicemia was the cause of death. Furthermore, fresh injuries presented as hemorrhages were revealed in the area of hind limbs, which told us that by having pathological process in the front limb tiger had another fight before death. But another interesting stuff was revealed during the necropsy procedure stomach contents were presented by remains of another tiger. Cannibalism in populations of wild tigers is a quite rare event. As far as I found out - there were only 3 fixed cases (including that one) of cannibalism among tigers on the Russian Far East for last 50 years. On another hand, it is common that one male kills during fight another one to confirm his dominance in the area, or kills cubs (from foreign litter) to do mating with female but consuming of killed congener. Such cases could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

7 These circumstance begged a lot of questions at the reserve employees. As parts of consumed tiger (part of head and paws) were found in the stomach it means that our male consumed them not so long time ago (2-3 days). If take to account that our tiger slacken off during last days this fact lessened radius of area for searching of consumed tiger remains. Special group of reserve employees were sent for this purpose. Their work was not vain as they had found two skeletons of tiger cubs (about 6 months old) with eaten head and limbs. There were no doubts that our tiger consumed these ones. Now everything, more or less, slotted into place. Possibly it had happened in such way to have mating with female tiger killed her cubs. By trying to protect children, tigress (or even cubs for themselves) injured male. Infection joined to injured tissues afterwards. It is difficult to say now if tiger was predisposed to cannibalism or animal just could not get another prey because of weakness but he consumed cubs before death this is fact. Of course, It is not necessary that all thing happened in such way we just can guess, but such sequence of events seems to be logical at least. As for fresh hemorrhages point of little combat between our male and another male was found near the place of death. They fought about two days before our one has gone. So, five tigers in the area of 2 square kilometers were looped in this event which is strange in itself. For more of Misha s stories from the field, visit

8 Say Cheese! Amur leopard photos (above) Jackie Thomas, leopard photo (left) Paul Bussell. Amur tiger photos Harald Loeffler. ALTA would like to thank all photographers!

9 Effects of canine breakage on tiger survival, reproduction and human-tiger conflict The aim of the study conducted by (Goodrich, M., et al.) was to determine whether broken canines have implications on survival in the wild, reproduction and human-tiger conflict. Data from conflict tigers (who had been involved in conflicts with humans) was collected from and from research tigers (who were caught for research) was collected from The data was then analysed. Results: No significant difference was found in the proportion of broken canines in research (24% breakage) and conflict tigers (27% breakage). This implies that human-tiger conflict is not impacted greatly by broken canines. No significant difference was found in the annual survival of tigers without broken canines (82%), compared to those with broken canines (73%). The mean age of death was greater for tigers with broken canines (10.8) compared to that of unbroken canines (7.6). The data suggests canines are not of major importance for survival in the wild. No significant difference was found in reproduction. The cubs born per year to research tigresses with broken canines were 1.2 and without broken canines 1.3. This is an indication that canine breakage does not affect reproduction.

10 Canine breakage increased with age. Broken canines- serious health issue in 2/17 cases 1. A conflict tiger with 3 broken canines and several other teeth missing. The tigress was emaciated when captured, probably due to difficulty in eating due to missing teeth. She had also been involved in human-tiger conflicts, killing a number of domestic animals in a town. 2. A research tiger with a broken upper canine at the gum line. The break extended 3cm into the skull creating a hole where food debris piled up and resulted in infection. The tiger had a very low territory range of 159km 2 (normally km 2 ), probably because of health problems caused by the tooth break. 3 months after capture, all contact was lost with this animal, most probably due to poaching. Conclusion: The data supports the view that broken canines in wild tigers are not an impairment to the tiger s ability to kill wild prey and in most cases are not involved in increased human-tiger conflict. Similar results were obtained from a study on African lions. Broken canines do not necessarily mean a serious health problem. All teeth should be examined carefully for infection, but tigers should not be taken out of the wild on the basis of broken canines alone. Goodrich, J. M.; et al. (2011) Effects of canine breakage on tiger survival, reproduction and human-tiger conflict. Zoological Society of London, Journal of Zoology, 1-6

11 Fire fighting progress A fire fighting brigade was first set up in Slavyanka last year. The first season showed great success as fires were reduced by 83% compared to the previous year. Following this success, a second brigade was set up in Bezverkhovo (Leopardoviy Zakaznik) this year. Unfortunately, the news from the new fire project in Bezverkhovo is not as good. It is an area that always burns more intensely than the priority area in Slavyanka and first analysis indicates that the team has been unsuccessful at reducing the level of burning in Bezverkhovo during this first season. The team in Bezverkhovo consists of six men hired in Slavyanka who are lead by one inspector from Zhena Stoma's team. A Japanese mini-van and seven airblowers were purchased to aid the effort and speed up the process of dealing with fires. The team was operational in March before any significant burns had taken place. The majority of the fires in the Bezverkhovo area started along the railway and the team managed to extinguish these fires, although several dozens of hectares were burned due to high winds. Unfortunately, a single fire on 11th and 12th April turned out to be unstoppable due to very strong winds and crossed through most of the project area. This key event overshadowed all previous success. The original team in Slavaynka has had much more success. The season is coming to an end now and unless we have an unexpected disaster in the coming week (before the shrubs have greened up sufficiently) we will probably beat last year s result of 83% reduction in Slavyanka comments Michiel Hötte, Director of the Tigris Foundation. Funds are still available for two full seasons - autumn 2011 and spring The achievements will be quantified in June In order to be as successful in Bezverkhovo, the following steps will be taken during the next two seasons: Burn the stroke along the railway. The spring season is not very suitable for controlled burning, because there are just too many fires to fight. However, controlled burning at the start of the fall season will be a priority. Engage a municipality appointed fire warden to educate the villagers in the very small settlements close to the railway where fires start every year. With optimism for the future Michiel Hötte remarks I hope we will be more successful the coming two seasons. I also understand that a bit of luck is involved. The fire that did the most damage was unusual; I hope it was a one-time event!

12 If you can t wait until the next newsflash....you can sign up to our Facebook and Twitter pages! Here we post the latest news on Amur leopards and tigers. You are more than welcome to contribute interesting bits of news, music and articles. You can find us via the following links: Facebook: Leopard-and-Tiger-Alliance/ Twitter: Or you can of course keep an eye on our website that we update regularly Send in your photos and videos Join our Supporter Gallery by sending in a photo or video of yourself supporting Amur leopards, preferably with the Amur leopard emblem, which can be downloaded here: /index.php? Dima at Pittsburgh Zoo Amanda Westerlund ALTA would like to send a special thanks to We would like to thank Tigris Foundation for their recent donations to ALTA. Also we would like to thank all our other donors who have contributed to help save Amur leopards and tigers! For more information about our projects, visit our website and if you would like to help us continue our efforts to support field conservation projects and work towards saving the Amur leopard and its habitat, please donate. We ensure that 100% of the funds donated via our website are provided to Amur leopard or tiger conservation field projects. Questions or comments? E- mail us at ALTA@zsl.org