Amur tiger’s habitat in China, includes Wandashan Mountain area and Changbaishan Mountain area. The area dominated by ropencedrymion and coniferous forest, in the temperate and continental monsoon climate, owns high level biodiversity and well preserved ecosystem.
The provinces of Hunchun and Jilin host unique species such as the Amur tiger and the Amur leopard. A large variety of other ungulates find shelter in these regions, among which the sika deer, red deer, roe deer and wild bear. Also carnivores such as the Asian black bear, lynx, leopard cat and red fox live in this well preserved ecosystem. WCS conservation work focuses on the area of Hunchun, Jilin province, where the Amur tiger and leopard are most active.
Conservation Challenges
The Amur Tiger faces a number of threats in its habitat ranging from the danger of snares and traps set by hunters to the shortage of preys. The reduction in the population and density of prey species such as the wild pig and deer undermines the recovery of the tiger population. In addition, a large number of domestic cattle grazed in the forest not only competes for food with wild ungulates but also fosters human-wildlife conflicts whenever tigers prey on domestic cattle. Railways and highways which are being designed and under construction in this area intensify the habitat fragmentation and create an obstacle along the travel routes from teh Russian Far East to the west through Hunchun and the Wanda Mountains. Meanwhile, a large amount of human activities harvesting forest products also threaten this fragile wildlife habitat.
Conservation Approach
Since 1998, WCS has been working in northeastern China to help recover the Amur tiger and leopard populations. As a leader in conservation science, we have offered training in essential conservation skills, such as SMART patrols and self-protection from tiger encounters. Our efforts helped establish the Hunchun Nature Reserve, the first protected area for tigers in China. The reserve later became the basis for the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park (NCTLNP), the world's largest tiger reserve. Today, our program focuses on demonstrating community-based conservation solutions that can be implemented throughout the NCTLNP and beyond, including community patrol teams and community-led electric fences.