The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest wild cat. Recovering from near-extinction, its welfare in the Russian Far East depends on habitat protection and prey availability.
Amur tigers face welfare challenges specific to their extreme environment. In severe Siberian winters, prey becomes scarce and tigers must travel vast distances to meet caloric needs. Tigers that fail to establish adequate prey-rich territories may suffer chronic hunger, particularly young dispersing males. Snare injuries from traps set for ungulates cause severe, often fatal, wounds. Tigers that survive snare injuries may carry injuries that compromise hunting ability, causing progressive starvation. In contrast, well-protected reserves with abundant prey support tigers with positive welfare — successful breeding, long life spans, and stable territories. The recovery of the Amur tiger is one of conservation's great successes, but ongoing habitat protection and anti-poaching remain essential to sustaining welfare at the population level.