What are the main threats to Amur (Siberian) tigers?
Poaching of Amur tigers and their prey remains a problem. In addition, their forests are under threat from logging, conversion to agriculture, urban expansion, road construction, mining, fires, and inadequate law enforcement. Illegal trade The most immediate threat to the survival of Amur (Siberian) tigers is poaching to supply demand for tiger parts for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The Cold War protected Amur tigers from hunting by closing off their forests to most people. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s saw a poaching epidemic, mainly driven by Russia’s economic crisis combined with a relaxation of border controls and a ready access to the wildlife and traditional medicine markets of East Asia. Habitat loss & conflict with people The most significant long-term threat to Amur tigers is habitat loss and a decrease in prey due to human population pressure. Amur tigers are also killed as a result of conflict with people.
