WCS Russia

The Russian Far East is home to some of the world’s rarest and most unique species, including Amur tigers, Far Eastern leopards, Kamchatka brown bears, and Blakiston’s fish owls. The Wildlife Conservation Society focuses on these key species as a means to achieve biodiversity conservation and protect critical habitats throughout this region. We use science as a foundation for designing and implementing effective conservation plans.

Latest News

WCS SIBERIAN TIGER PROJECT STUDY ANIMAL THREATENS RESIDENTS OF TERNEY, AND DEATH BRINGS CONCERN OF DISEASE AS A NEW THREAT TO AMUR TIGERS July 2010

On June 1, 2010, at approximately 7:45 am, “Galia,” the last study animal of the Siberian Tiger Project, was shot within the village of Terney because of the dangers she posed to local citizens. For the many people who knew of Galia, who had been monitored by the Siberian Tiger Project for the past 10 years, this will come as a shock. This death marks the fourth radio-collared animal to die in the past 10 months either of natural causes, or due to conflict with humans. Presently, we are working under the hypothesis that all deaths may have been disease-related.

SAVING THE FAR EASTERN LEOPARD’S HOME FROM FIRES June 2010

The threats to the survival of the world’s last 30 Far Eastern leopards are unfortunately numerous. Leopards and their prey fall victim to poachers, the leopard’s habitat is under pressure from logging and development projects and – as if this isn’t enough – the animals are slowly losing their home due to frequent fires… In response, WCS and the Slavyanka Municipality are conducting an exciting project that could become a turning point in the fight against fires in Southwest Primorye.

TIGRESS GALIA KEEPING RESEARCHERS BUSY THIS SPRING May 2010

With a new radio-collar and a new litter of cubs, eight-year-old tigress Galia has been keeping very busy this spring, to the delight of WCS researchers and staff. With Galia's radio-collar batteries fading, in March Siberian Tiger Project specialists set out by helicopter to provide her a new collar. Under observation since 2002, Galia is one of WCS's longest-studied tigers, and as such she is not only a source of a wealth of important information needed for tiger conservation, but is also very dear to our hearts. And just two weeks ago, Galia gave us another reason to hope for the future of tigers -- she gave birth to three cubs, her first new litter in nearly four years.

Read about the helicopter flight to recapture Galia and replace her old radio-collar.

Learn about how WCS field researchers discovered Galia's new cubs.

WCS ISSUES TIGER REPORT CARD April 2010

A new tiger report card released by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) reveals how the iconic big cats are faring in eight key landscapes spanning nine Asian countries.

“In this Year of the Tiger, the best way we can celebrate these iconic big cats is by giving them a future,” said WCS President and CEO Steven E. Sanderson.

Read the full Tiger Report Card. To learn more about how you can support WCS efforts to conserve tigers in Russia, write to us at wcsrussia@wcs.org .