After 30 Years, Amur Tigers Return to Changbai Mountains

This footage captures a wild Siberian tiger in Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve, in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, China, on 3 December 2024. The discovery is proof that wild Siberian tigers have returned to the Changbai Mountain region after three decades, and signifies the ongoing expansion of the species’ habitat.

This reserve is situated near the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park which boarders Russia and North Korea. This area is a critical corridor connecting tiger and leopard populations between China and Russia. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with funding from WildCats Conservation Alliance, conducts conservation activities in the Hunchun Nature Reserve (HNR) and the adjacent lands within Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park (NCTLNP).

Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park where WCS China run their transboundary Amur tiger and leopard conservation project.

Tigers and leopards continue to disperse from source populations in Russia establishing permanent, sustainable populations within China. Northeast China has proven to be a reliable habitat for these migrating big cats and now boasts its own resident population. Monitoring efforts have highlighted the increasing productivity of resident female tigers in the Hunchun Nature Reserve (HNR), underscoring its importance as a key source site for the future expansion of tigers and leopards across the region.

The discovery of tiger footprints identified by rangers and then subsequent footage captured by nature reserve staff marks the first time since 1994 that an Amur tiger has been discovered in the Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve. This milestone reinforces the growth of tiger populations in China and the westward expansion of the Amur tiger’s habitat by over 200 kilometres from the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.

Female Amur tiger captured on a camera trap in HNR in 2023 – AmurtigerWCS_China2023

WildCats Conservation Alliance has been actively supporting conservation projects in this region. Our collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been crucial in monitoring and protecting Amur tiger and leopard populations. Since 1998, WCS has played a significant role in creating safe habitats, such as the Hunchun Nature Reserve, which serves as a vital corridor for these species between Russia and China.

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Habitat preservation, anti-poaching efforts, and community engagement are essential to ensure the continued recovery of Amur tiger populations. WildCats Conservation Alliance remains committed to supporting initiatives that address these challenges and promote the coexistence of humans and wildlife in Northeast China.