How zoo Amur tiger programs contribute to wild tiger recovery while meeting welfare needs in captivity.
Amur tiger welfare in captivity demonstrates best practice for large felid management: large enclosures with environmental complexity, minimal public disturbance, protected contact training for health monitoring, and social management that respects the solitary nature of tigers outside of breeding. The wild recovery story — one of the great conservation successes of the 20th century — was achieved through field conservation rather than reintroduction of zoo animals, but zoo genetic management remains relevant for maintaining diversity in a still-small wild population. Welfare and conservation purposes are complementary in this program.