WCS researcher Sasha Rybin sets a camera trap
in Far Eastern leopard range. Photo by WCS.
WCS Russia is committed to conducting the best scientific research as a foundation for effective conservation actions, and to engaging local people as key stakeholders in wildlife conservation in the Russian Far East. The following projects represent one of WCS’s largest field programs in Asia.
Siberian Tiger Project
The Siberian Tiger Project is the longest running radio-telemetry-based tiger research and conservation project in the world. Each year this study brings new information that assists in designing realistic conservation plans for the Siberian tiger. The Siberian Tiger Project also provides the foundation for WCS to assist the Russian government in addressing tiger-human conflicts, and to train the next generation of young specialists that will lead wildlife conservation efforts in the Russian Far East.
Far Eastern Leopard Conservation
WCS is working to improve understanding of Far Eastern leopard ecology as a basis for the conservation of this sub-species, one of the world’s most endangered cats. Our activities include population monitoring and ecological and biomedical research, as well as efforts to improve wildlife and habitat management in the leopard’s range.
Hunters and Tigers
If Amur tigers are to survive in the wild, we must find ways for tigers, hunters and other local people to coexist on the multiple-use lands that comprise the vast majority of tiger habitat in Russia. WCS focuses on improving capacity for effective wildlife management in the Russian Far East as a basis for tiger conservation on multiple-use forest lands.
Amur Tiger Surveys and Monitoring
Millions of dollars have been invested in tiger conservation, both in the Russian Far East and elsewhere across tiger range. Yet, without effective surveys and monitoring there exists no mechanism to assess the success or failure of conservation activities. Since the early 1990s, WCS has been a leader in improving reliability and accuracy of tiger surveys in the Russian Far East. In addition, our Amur Tiger Monitoring Program provides a statistically sound basis to annually assess Amur tiger population status and trends.
Tiger Restoration: the Sino-Russian Transboundary Program
WCS, in partnership with Panthera, is working to demonstrate that not only can we secure a future for existing populations of tigers, but with focused efforts, it is possible to recover tiger numbers in former tiger range. WCS Russia works closely with the WCS China Program in implementing tiger conservation activities in SW Primorsky Krai, Russia and adjacent Northeast China, where suitable tiger habitat still exists, and where, we believe, a dramatic recovery of tiger numbers is possible.
Kamchatka Brown Bear Program
The Kamchatka Brown Bear Program seeks to enhance biodiversity conservation on the Kamchatka Peninsula through conservation of the region's brown bears. In collaboration with local experts and institutions, WCS is acquiring necessary data on brown bears while there is still time to create an effective bear management regime in Kamchatka. We are also promoting brown bear education, interagency collaboration and responsible tourism.
Blakiston’s Fish Owl Project
WCS is supporting efforts to improve understanding of Blakiston’s fish owl habitat use, which is greatly needed for development of sound conservation plans for the species, whose apparent need for old-growth, riverine habitat is in direct conflict with logging interests.