Almost all wild Siberian tigers live the Southeast corner of Russia in the Sikhote-Alin mountain range east of the Amur River. Their former range included northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula, and as far west as Mongolia. They are the largest of the tiger species and can grow up to 13 feet in length and weigh up to 700 lbs.

              The tiger is one of the most emblematic symbols of conservation today, and its distinctively patterned coat and fearsome reputation make this species instantly recognizable. However, the siberian tiger is facing the grave threat of extinction due to illegal poaching and habitat loss.  

               Tigers are most commonly poached for their fur and for their body parts used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is estimated that in 1991 alone, one-third of the Siberian tiger population was killed to meet the demand for their bones and other parts used in this practice. This even though the practice is now unlawful in China. However, because it is such a lucrative trade –a single tiger can bring up to $50k on the International market- the practice is still flourishing.                

                 The other vital concern for the survival of the Siberian tiger in the wild is habitat loss. Research has demonstrated the Siberian tigers require vast forest landscapes to survive. However logging, both legal and illegal is threatening the tigers home by fragmenting their habitat thereby isolating them from each other.  Agricultural expansion, timber cutting, new roads, human settlement, industrial expansion and hydroelectric dams push tigers into smaller and smaller areas of land. These forest fragments are surrounded by rapidly growing and relatively poor human populations, including increasing numbers of illegal hunters. Without wilderness, the wild tiger will not survive.

                Genetic diversity is also a big problem for siberian tigers. The Siberian tiger may be doomed because of its lack of genetic diversity. While these tigers have made a great comeback, the huge decrease in the 1940s means that these tigers have a very limited gene pool. The cats may be inbreeding, thus causing serious health problems that may doom the subspecies. The Siberian tiger is very close genetically to already extinct tigers.

                 There are only about 500 siberian tigers left in the world. It is our job to protect the ones that are left before its to late.