Wildlife conservation efforts in China appear to be yielding favorable results because of the recent discovery of nearly extinct Siberian tiger footprints in Heilongjiang province, where the big cats once roamed. Experts estimated the global population of Siberian tigers to be 400-500 in 2015, dropping to 50 in China in subsequent years.
Siberian Tiger Footprints Hint Improving Populations
The South China Morning Post was among the first to report that the discovery of Siberian tiger footprints in northeast China raises the prospect that major government efforts to preserve the big cat's natural habitats may be taking a positive effect. These efforts may aid Siberian tigers in returning to their territories.
The footprints were discovered near Mishan in northeast China, where most local conservation efforts have been concentrated in recent years. Siberian tigers, also known as Amur and Ussuri tigers, are the world's largest cat species and the world's northernmost type of tiger. These cats are already considered near-extinct due to factors such as poaching and natural habitat destruction.
The footprints discovered by border police were approximately 10cm in length and width, according to the SCMP. As per reports, only about 50 tigers can be found in the region spanning northeast China and far western Russia.
Based on a report by the Global Times, the city and local township public security officials have assigned officers to find the tiger and work to quickly look into any signs of the Siberian tiger in order to protect people's lives and property.
Continued Preservation Efforts
For the past 20 years, China has been working to promote national protection projects. "The scene of tigers roaring in the mountains has reappeared," Yang Zhongqi, a CPPCC member and chief expert of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, said.
The official added that the country's forests now cover 23% of its land thanks to extensive greening initiatives and numerous natural reserves that account for 18% of its total area.
According to China Daily, in order to establish a number of facilities and create a unified management system by 2020, the central government established a national park system in 2013.
After four years of operation as pilot projects, the same report tells us that five national parks, including the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, were formally established.
Success Stories
In 2017, China began construction on a mega national park that is said to rival Yellowstone National Park in the United States, with an area that is more than 60 percent larger. The vast national park will be a refuge for two endangered species: the Siberian tiger and the Amur leopard.
Additionally, another set of Siberian tiger tracks was discovered in the Greater Khingan Range in Inner Mongolia in January of this year. This was the first time markings had been discovered in the region in more than 50 years.
The long-term resilience and health of any ecosystem depend on species recovery, according to WWF. And some important species crucial to their ecosystems are making a comeback. Some of the species being returned to areas where they were extinct include cheetahs, wild bison, vultures, and black-footed ferrets.
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