Amur tigers are the largest wild cat species and critically endangered, with zoo populations supporting both genetic conservation and essential public engagement for their survival.
Zoo Amur tiger welfare requires large exhibits with complex terrain, opportunities for territorial behavior including scent marking, and provision for their cold adaptation — heated indoor access must be balanced with outdoor access even in cold weather. As solitary predators, adult tigers should be housed separately except for managed breeding introductions. Feeding enrichment using whole carcasses or prey-simulation feeding activates natural stalking and killing behaviors. Juveniles benefit from complex play environments. The extreme territory requirement in the wild makes captive tigers inherently limited in movement, requiring behavioral enrichment to partially compensate. Anti-poaching programs protecting wild tigers in Russia are as critical as zoo breeding for species survival.