Siberian tiger: Difference between revisions
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The Siberian tiger population in the framework of the [[European Endangered Species Programme]] numbers about 230 individuals, including wild-caught founders.{{fact|date=October 2011}} |
The Siberian tiger population in the framework of the [[European Endangered Species Programme]] numbers about 230 individuals, including wild-caught founders.{{fact|date=October 2011}} |
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⚫ | In recent years, captive breeding of tigers in China has accelerated to the point where the captive population of several tiger subspecies exceeds 4,000 animals. Three thousand specimens are reportedly held by 10–20 “significant” facilities, with the remainder scattered among some 200 facilities. This makes China home to the second largest captive tiger population in the world, after the [[USA]], which in 2005 had an estimated 4,692 captive tigers.<ref name=Nowell2007>Nowell, K., Ling, X. (2007) [http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/tigers/WWFBinaryitem15400.pdf ''Taming the tiger trade: China's markets for wild and captive tiger products since the 1993 domestic trade ban'']. TRAFFIC East Asia, Hong Kong, China.</ref> In a census conducted by the US based [[Feline Conservation Federation]], 2,884 tigers were documented as residing in 468 American facilities.<ref>Wildlife Watch Group (2011) [http://www.citesnepal.org/download.php?id=18 ''Less than 3,000 Pet Tigers in America''] . Wildlife Times 5 (37): 12–13.</ref> |
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In recent years, captive breeding of tigers (not exclusively Siberian tigers) in China has accelerated to the point where the captive |
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⚫ | population exceeds |
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In 1986, the [[Government of the People's Republic of China|Chinese government]] established the world's largest Siberian tiger breeding base "[[Heilongjiang]] Northeast Tiger Forest Park (黑龙江东北虎林园)"<ref>[http://www.easyseosolution.com/blog/archives/807 A Siberian tiger appears in Heilongjiang China] June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.</ref> and was meant to build a Siberian tiger gene pool to ensure the [[genetic diversity]] of Siberian tigers. Liu Dan, Chief Engineer of the Heilongjiang Northeast Tiger Forest Park, introduced a measure such that the Park and its existing tiger population would be further divided into two parts, one as the protective species for genetic management and the other as the ornamental species. It was discovered that when the Heilongjiang Northeast Tiger Forest Park was founded it had only 8 tigers, but according to the current breeding rate of tigers at the park, the worldwide number of Siberian tigers will break through 1,000 in late 2010.<ref>{{zh icon}}{{cite web |publisher=SINA Corporation |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/p/2010-01-14/170319469755.shtml |title=黑龙江东北虎林园将打造千虎园}}</ref> |
In 1986, the [[Government of the People's Republic of China|Chinese government]] established the world's largest Siberian tiger breeding base "[[Heilongjiang]] Northeast Tiger Forest Park (黑龙江东北虎林园)"<ref>[http://www.easyseosolution.com/blog/archives/807 A Siberian tiger appears in Heilongjiang China] June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.</ref> and was meant to build a Siberian tiger gene pool to ensure the [[genetic diversity]] of Siberian tigers. Liu Dan, Chief Engineer of the Heilongjiang Northeast Tiger Forest Park, introduced a measure such that the Park and its existing tiger population would be further divided into two parts, one as the protective species for genetic management and the other as the ornamental species. It was discovered that when the Heilongjiang Northeast Tiger Forest Park was founded it had only 8 tigers, but according to the current breeding rate of tigers at the park, the worldwide number of Siberian tigers will break through 1,000 in late 2010.<ref>{{zh icon}}{{cite web |publisher=SINA Corporation |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/p/2010-01-14/170319469755.shtml |title=黑龙江东北虎林园将打造千虎园}}</ref> |
Revision as of 12:01, 12 October 2011
Siberian tiger | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Subfamily: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | P. tigris |
Subspecies: | P. tigris altaica
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Trinomial name
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Panthera tigris altaica Temminck, 1884
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Distribution of the Siberian tiger (in red) |
The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Amur tiger, is a
The Siberian tiger together with the
Characteristics
The Siberian tiger is reddish-rusty or rusty-yellow in color, with narrow black transverse stripes. The body length is not less than 150 cm (59 in), condylobasal length of skull is 250 mm (9.8 in), zygomatic width is 180 mm (7.1 in), and length of upper carnassial tooth is over 26 mm (1.0 in) long. It has a supple body standing on rather short legs with a fairly long tail.[4] It is typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) taller than the Bengal tiger, which is about 107–110 cm (42–43 in) tall.[5]
Measurements taken by scientists of the Siberian Tiger Project in Sikhote-Alin range from 178 to 208 cm (70 to 82 in) in head and body length measured in straight line, with an average of 195 cm (77 in) for males; and for females ranging from 167 to 182 cm (66 to 72 in) with an average of 174 cm (69 in). The average tail measures 99 cm (39 in) in males and 91 cm (36 in) in females. The longest male “Maurice” measured 309 cm (122 in) in total length (tail of 101 cm (40 in)) and had a chest girth of 127 cm (50 in). The longest female “Maria Ivanna” measured 270 cm (110 in) in total length (tail of 88 cm (35 in)) and had a chest girth of 108 cm (43 in). These measurements show that the present Amur tiger is longer than the Bengal tiger.[6] According to modern research of wild Siberian tigers in Sikhote-Alin, an average adult male of more than 35 months of age weighs 176.4 kg (389 lb), the average asymptotic limit being 222.3 kg (490 lb); an adult tigress weighs 117.9 kg (260 lb). The mean weight of historical Siberian tigers is supposed to be higher: 215.3 kg (475 lb) for male tigers and 137.5 kg (303 lb) for females.[7]
Measurements of more than fifty captured individuals suggest that body size is similar to that of Bengal tigers.[8]
The largest male, with largely assured references, measured 350 cm (140 in) "over curves", equivalent to 330 cm (130 in) between pegs. The tail length in fully grown males is about 1 m (39 in). Weights of up to 318 kg (701 lb) have been recorded and exceptionally large males weighing up to 384 kg (847 lb) are mentioned in the literature but, according to Mazák, none of these cases can be confirmed via reliable sources.[9]
A further unconfirmed report tells of a male tiger shot in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains in 1950 weighing 384 kg (847 lb) with an estimated length of 3.48 m (11.4 ft). In some cases, Siberian tigers in captivity reached a body weight of up to 465 kg (1,025 lb), such as the tiger "Jaipur".[10]
Skull
The skull of the Siberian tiger is distinguished by its larger overall size, as well as the development of its
Female skulls range from 279.7 to 310.2 mm (11.01 to 12.21 in). The skull length of the males from
Fur and coat
The ground colour of Siberian tigers' pelage is often very pale, especially in winter coat. However, variations within populations may be considerable. Individual variation is also found in form, length, and partly in colour, of the dark stripes, which have been described as being dark brown rather than black.[11] The
Distribution and habitat
The geographical range of Amur tigers in the Russian Far East stretches south to north for almost 1,000 km (620 mi) throughout the length of
The number of Amur tigers in China is estimated at 18–22, and it is not known if any still survive in North Korea. In 2005, there were 331–393 Amur tigers in the Russian Far East, comprising a breeding adult population of about 250, fewer than 100 likely to be sub-adults, more than 20 likely to be less than 3 years of age. More than 90% of the population occurs in the Sikhote Alin mountain region.[1]
Siberian tigers are known to travel up to 1,000 km (620 mi), a distance that marks the exchange limit over ecologically unbroken country.[4]
They travel only through dense spruce forests, and are attracted to rocky areas and forests abundant with wild boar, wapiti and moose. In times of food scarcity, they travel through village outskirts and hay fields. They avoid areas of deep snow due to the scarcity of game. During frost they are more conspicuous.[citation needed]
Ecology and behavior
Between January 1992 and November 1994, 11 tigers were captured, fitted with
Other prey species include Manchurian wapiti, musk deer, goral and smaller prey like hares, rabbits, pikas and salmon.[9] Tigers may prey on both brown and black bears when ungulate populations decrease.[4]
Reproduction
Siberian tigers reach sexual maturity at four years of age. They mate at any time of the year. A female signals her receptiveness by leaving urine deposits and scratch marks on trees. She will spend 5 or 6 days with the male, during which she is receptive for three days. Gestation lasts from 3 to 3½ months.
Interspecific predatory relationships
From 1944 to 1950, only 17 instances of tiger attacking
Asian black bears and Ussuri brown bears constitute 5-8% of the Siberian tiger's diet.[9] Brown bears are estimated to constitute 1-1.5% of of their diet.[14] Certain tigers have been reported to imitate the calls of Asian black bears to attract them.[15]
Despite the threat of predation, some brown bears actually benefit from the tiger's presence by appropriating tiger kills that the bears may not be able to successfully hunt themselves, as bears often dominate these disputes over kills.[16]
There have been observations of bears that changed their path after coming across tiger trails, as well as of bears following tiger tracks with no signs of fear and sleeping in the same den.[4][17] Russian researchers have identified specific "satellite bears" who regularly follow tigers over extensive periods of time, sequentially usurping kills by tracking the tigers in the spring snow.[18]
Tigers depress
This competitive exclusion of wolves by tigers has been used by Russian conservationists to convince hunters in the Far East to tolerate the big cats, as they limit ungulate populations less than wolves, and are effective in controlling wolf numbers.[20]
Threats
In the early years of the
In 1987, law and order almost entirely broke down due to the impending dissolution of the Soviet Union. Subsequent illegal deforestation and bribery of park rangers made the poaching of Siberian tigers easier, once again putting the subspecies at risk from extinction.[5]
Conservation
Tigers are included on
In 1992, the Siberian Tiger Project was founded, with the aim of providing a comprehensive picture of the ecology of the Amur tiger and the role of tigers in the Russian Far East through scientific studies. By capturing and outfitting tigers with
Re-population ideas
In 2010, Russia exchanged 2 captive Amur tigers for
Stimulated by recent findings that the Amur tiger is the closest relative of the Caspian tiger, discussions started if the Amur tiger could be an appropriate subspecies for reintroduction into a save place in Central Asia. The
In captivity
The large, distinctive and powerful cats are popular zoo exhibits. The Siberian tiger is bred under the auspices of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), in a project based on 83 tigers captured in the wild. According to most experts, this population is large enough to stay stable and genetically healthy. Today, approximately 160 Siberian tigers participate in the SSP, which makes it the most extensively bred tiger subspecies within the program. Developed in 1982, the Species Survival Plan for the Siberian tiger is the longest running program for a tiger subspecies. It has been very fortunate and productive, and the breeding program for the Siberian tiger has actually been used as a good example when new programs have been designed to save other animal species from extinction.[citation needed]
The Siberian tiger population in the framework of the
In recent years, captive breeding of tigers in China has accelerated to the point where the captive population of several tiger subspecies exceeds 4,000 animals. Three thousand specimens are reportedly held by 10–20 “significant” facilities, with the remainder scattered among some 200 facilities. This makes China home to the second largest captive tiger population in the world, after the
In 1986, the
The Siberian tiger is not very difficult to breed in captivity, but the possibility of survival for animals bred in captivity released into the wild is small. Conservation efforts that secure the wild population are therefore still imperative. If a captive bred Siberian tiger were to be released into the wild, it would lack the necessary hunting skills and starve to death. Captive bred tigers can also approach humans and villages, since they have learned to associate humans with feeding and lack the natural shyness of wild tigers. In a worst-case scenario, starving tigers could even become man-eaters. Since tigers must be taught how to hunt by their mothers when they are still cubs, a program that aimed to release captive bred Siberian tigers into the wild would create great difficulties.
Genetic research
Several reports have been published since the 1990s on the genetic makeup of the Siberian tiger and its relationship to other subspecies. One of the most important outcomes has been the discovery of low genetic variability in the wild population, especially when it comes to maternal or mitochondrial DNA lineages.[31] It seems that a single mtDNA haplotype almost completely dominates the maternal lineages of wild Siberian tigers. On the other hand, captive tigers appear to show higher mtDNA diversity. This may suggest that the subspecies has experienced a very recent genetic bottleneck caused by human pressure, with the founders of the captive population being captured when genetic variability was higher in the wild.[32][33]
At the turn of the century, researchers from the
Samples of 95 individuals were collected throughout their native range to investigate questions relative to population genetic structure and demographic history. Additionally, targeted individuals from the North American ex situ population were sampled to assess the genetic representation found in captivity. Population genetic and
Managers will be able to selectively breed to help preserve the unique and rare gene variants. This variation may be used to re-infuse the wild population sometime in the future if reintroduction strategies are deemed warranted.[35]
In culture
The
Attacks on humans
Unlike the
According to the Japanese Police Bureau in Korea, a tiger killed only one human, whereas leopards killed three, wild boars four and wolves 48 in 1928.[36] Only six cases were recorded in 20th century Russia of unprovoked attacks leading to man-eating behaviour. Provoked attacks are however more common, usually the result of botched attempts at capturing them.[5]
In December 1997, an injured Amur tiger attacked, killed and consumed two people. Both attacks occurred in the
In January 2002, a man was attacked by a Siberian tiger on a remote mountain road near
In an incident at the San Francisco Zoo in December 2007, a Siberian tiger escaped and killed a visitor, and injured two others. The animal was shot by the police. The zoo was widely criticized for maintaining only a 12.5 ft (3.8 m) fence around the tiger enclosure, while the international standard is 16 ft (4.9 m). The zoo subsequently erected a taller barrier topped by an electric fence. One of the victims admitted to taunting the animal.[47]
Zoo keepers in
In January 2011, a Siberian tiger attacked and killed a tour bus driver at a breeding park in the northern province of Heilongjiang, China. Park officials reported that the bus driver broke safety guidelines by leaving the vehicle to check on the condition of the bus.[49]
References
- ^ a b c Template:IUCN
- ^ Mazák, V. (1981) Panthera tigris. Mammalian Species 152: 1–8.
- ^ a b Driscoll, C.A., Yamaguchi, N., Bar-Gal, G.K., Roca, A.L., Luo, S., Macdonald, D. W., O'Brien, S. J. 2009. Mitochondrial Phylogeography Illuminates the Origin of the Extinct Caspian Tiger and Its Relationship to the Amur Tiger. PLoS ONE 4 (1): e4125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004125.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Geptner, V.G., Sludskii, A. A., (1972) Mlekopitaiuščie Sovetskogo Soiuza. Vysšaia Škola, Moskva. (In Russian; English translation: Heptner, V.G.; Sludskii, A.A.; Bannikov, A.G.; (1992) Mammals of the Soviet Union. Volume II, Part 2: Carnivora (Hyaenas and Cats). Smithsonian Institute and the National Science Foundation, Washington DC). Pp. 95–202.
- ^ )
- ^ a b Kerley, L.; Goodrich, J.; Smirnov, E.; Miquelle, D.; Nikolaev, I; Arjanova, T.; Slaght, J.; Schleyer, B.; Kuigli, H.; Hornoker, M. 2005. Chapter 7. Morphological indicators of the Amur tiger. 15 pp. In D.G. Miquelle, E.N. Smirnov, and J.M. Goodrich (Eds.). Tigers in Sikhote-Alin Zapovednik: Ecology and Conservation. PSP, Vladivostok, Russia Template:Ru icon Translate.google.com
- ^ Slaght, J. C., D. G. Miquelle, I. G. Nikolaev, J. M. Goodrich, E. N. Smirnov, K. Traylor-Holzer, S. Christie, T. Arjanova, J. L. D. Smith, and K. U. Karanth. 2005. Chapter 6. Who‘s king of the beasts? Historical and recent body weights of wild and captive Amur tigers, with comparisons to other subspecies. In D.G. Miquelle, E.N. Smirnov, and J.M. Goodrich (Eds.). Tigers in Sikhote-Alin Zapovednik: Ecology and Conservation. PSP, Vladivostok, Russia Template:Ru icon. Pages 25−35.
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- ^ a b c Mazák, V.: (1983) Der Tiger. Nachdruck der 3. Auflage von Westarp Wissenschaften Hohenwarsleben, 2004. ISBN 3894327596
- ^ Wood, G. (1983) The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9
- ^ a b Mazák, V. (1967) Notes on Siberian long-haired tiger, Panthera tigris altaica (Temminck, 1844), with a remark on Temminck's mammal volume of the Fauna Japonica. Mammalia 31: 537–573.
- ^ Loukashkin, A. S. (1938) The Manchurian Tiger. The China Journal 28 (3): 127–133
- ^ a b Miquelle, D. G., Smirnov, E. N., Merrill, T.. W., Myslenkov, A. E., Quigley, H., Hornocker, M. G., Schleyer, B. (1999) Hierarchical spatial analysis of Amur tiger relationships to habitat and prey. In Seidensticker, J., Christie, S. Jackson, P. (eds.) Riding the Tiger. Tiger Conservation in Human-dominated Landscapes. Cambridge University Press, UK. Pp. 71–99
- ^ Seryodkin, I. (2006). "The ecology, behavior, management and conservation status of brown bears in Sikhote-Alin [[:Template:Ru icon]]". Far Eastern National University, Vladivostok, Russia. pp. 1–252.
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- ^ Seryodkin, I. V., Goodrich, J. M., Kostyrya, A. V., Schleyer, B. O., Smirnov, E. N., Kerley, L. L., Miquelle, D. G. (2005) Relationship between tigers, brown bears, and Himalayan black bears. In D. G. Miquelle, E. N. Smirnov, and J. M. Goodrich (eds.) Tigers of Sikhote-Alin Zapovednik: Ecology and Conservation. Vladivostok, Russia: PSP. Pages 156−163.
- ^ Yudakov, A. G., Nikolaev, I. G. (2004). "Hunting Behavior and Success of the Tigers' Hunts". The Ecology of the Amur Tiger based on Long-Term Winter Observations in 1970-1973 in the Western Sector of the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains (english translation ed.). Institute of Biology and Soil Science, Far-Eastern Scientific Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kerley, L., Goodrich, J., Miquelle, D. "Bears and tigers in the Far East". International Bear News 5 (2): p4
- ^ Miquelle, D. G., Stephens, P. A., Smirnov, E. N., Goodrich, J. M., Zaumyslova, O. J. and Myslenkov, A. E. (2005) Tigers and Wolves in the Russian Far East: Competitive Exclusion, Functional Redundancy, and Conservation Implications. In: Ray, J. C., Redford, K. H., Steneck, R. S., Berger, J. (eds.) Large Carnivores and the Conservation of Biodiversity. Island Press, Washington, DC. Pages 179–207.
- ^ Fulbright, T. E., Hewitt, D. G. (2007) Wildlife Science: Linking Ecological Theory and Management Applications. CRC Press ISBN 0-8493-7487-1
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- ^ Miquelle, D., Goodrich, J., Seryodkin, I. (2008) Siberian Tiger Project: Long-Term Research, Training, and Tiger-Human Conflict Mitigation in the Russian Far East. Wildlife Conservation Society
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- ^ Jungius, H., Chikin, Y., Tsaruk, O., Pereladova, O. (2009) Pre-Feasibility Study on the Possible Restoration of the Caspian Tiger in the Amu Darya Delta. WWF Russia
- ^ Nowell, K., Ling, X. (2007) Taming the tiger trade: China's markets for wild and captive tiger products since the 1993 domestic trade ban. TRAFFIC East Asia, Hong Kong, China.
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- ^ A Siberian tiger appears in Heilongjiang China June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Template:Zh icon"黑龙江东北虎林园将打造千虎园". SINA Corporation.
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ignored (|author=
suggested) (help - ^ Platt, John (8 July 2009). "Rare Siberian tigers face potential genetic bottleneck". Scientific American. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
- ^ Henry, P., Miquelle, D. Sugimoto, T., McCullough, D. R., Caccone, A., Russello, M. A. "In situ population structure and ex situ representation of the endangered Amur tiger" Abstract Molecular Ecology 18 (15): 3173−3184.
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External links
- 21st Century Tiger
- Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA) - Conservation of Amur tigers and leopards in the wild
- World Wide Fund for Nature: Amur tiger
- animals.nationalgeographic.com: Siberian Tiger Profile
- Wildlife Conservation Society's Siberian Tiger Project
- Amur.org.uk: Preserving leopards and tigers in the wild
- USDA Information Resources on Tigers, Panthera tigris
- flickr.com: Captive Amur Tiger images at Highland Wildlife Park, Scotland