SIBERIAN OR AMUR TIGER  
Panthera tigris altaica

Considered critically endangered, the Siberian Tiger (also known as the "Amur", "Manchurian" or "North China" tiger) is now confined completely to the Amur region in far eastern Siberia, where it is now protected. It is considered to be the largest of the 6 tiger subspecies. In addition to its larger size, the Siberian Tiger has paler fur and dark brown, instead of black, stripes. Their fur is also longer and quite dense due to the freezing temperatures of their habitat. In order to be able to walk, stalk and hunt in the snow, Siberian Tigers have quite large feet. Due to extreme conservation measures mostly in Russia, these tigers are currently thought to number close to 500 individuals; as recently as the 1940's, this number was less than 50. It is the hope especially of the Chinese conservationalists to be able to release some of their magnificent Siberian Tigers back into the wild, once their numbers have increased even more significantly.

RETURN to HDW's Wild Cats Portrait Gallery