Abstract:The Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is critically endangered and there is no confirmed viable population in China.In the winter of 2009-2010, we conducted a field survey in and surrounding the area of Hunchun Amur Tiger National Nature Reserve using line transect method.There are 3 tigers 2 male and 1 female at least found in the surveyed area of 1 182 km2 in size and they are transient individuals between China and Russian border.The relative density of ungulate prey is 0.09 for Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), 0.43 for Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus), 0.12 for Sika Deer (Cervus nippon), and 0.03 for wild Boar (Sus scrofa) by tracks/km, or 0.11, 0.76, 0.07, 0.01 by individial/km2 respectively.These values are much lower than those in Russia.Poaching ungulate and habitat fragmentation by human activities, such as small villages attached with cropland patches, frog breeding farms, seasonal logging, collection of wild plants and cattle grazing, were the main reasons for tiger number and ungulate prey declining.Logging ban around the nature reserve, controlling human activity at frog breeding farms, enforcing punishment on poaching, and limiting cattle grazing ranges as soon as possible are fundamental ways to rehabilitate tiger habitat and protect ungulate prey.
