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Siberian Tigers Vanishing

Population may be down to mere hundreds

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 26, 2009 5:03 AM CST

(Newser) – The last remaining wild population of Siberian tigers is rapidly declining, researchers warn. A study of a portion of the tiger's range found just 56 tigers when the average of the last decade had been 95. Researchers blame the decline on poaching and habitat loss, and believe only a few hundred of the tigers remain, the BBC reports.

"The sobering results are a wake-up call that current conservation efforts are not going far enough to protect Siberian tigers," said the lead researcher. "The good news is that we believe this trend can be reversed if immediate action is taken." A Russian hunting ban in 1947 helped the tiger population recover when it was down to only 30 tigers.

Siberian tiger cubs play at Erdaohe Tiger Parkin Jilin Province, China.
Siberian tiger cubs play at Erdaohe Tiger Parkin Jilin Province, China.   (Getty Images)
Siberian tigers gather on the snow at a  safari park for Siberian tigers in Harbin, northeastern China's Heilongjiang province.
Siberian tigers gather on the snow at a safari park for Siberian tigers in Harbin, northeastern China's Heilongjiang province.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
cognitivefilter
Nov 27, 2009 5:45 AM CST
this is a favorite animal of mine. terrible news.
RockyPneumonia
Nov 26, 2009 12:57 PM CST
{{"They all exaggerate and lie"}} In other words, there was an isolated example, but "Nixon" is desperate to believe it's universal because that way, he is saved from the unspeakable horror of being asked to treat the environment in a responsible manner.
kokuaguy
Nov 26, 2009 12:37 PM CST
It's an AP story, by the way.

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