Help Tiger Rehabilitation Center in Russia

In Russia, for many years tiger specialists used two facilities for tigers in need, namely Utyos Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Dr.Yudin's facility which for several reasons did not meet necessary requirements for wildlife care. For example, Utyos Centre is located in Khabarovksy krai, and it takes up to 8-10 hours to transport an injured animal from Primorye. Consequently, it was crucial to build an adequate rehabilitation center in Primorye in order to ensure cubs’ survival and successful release back into the wild. In 2011, the Russian Government allocated funds to construct Amur Tiger Rehabilitation Center in Primorye. A remote wood lot of three hectares, the most suitable site for semi-free-ranging animals where "patients" would not be disturbed by visitors, was chosen near Alekseevka village, Nadezhdinsky district of Primorsky krai. In 2012, after one-year construction works a new rehabilitation center for Amur tigers and other wildlife finally opened wide its doors to wild animals that cannot survive in the wild without man’s help.  The specialists were ready to nurse cubs, teach them to hunt and fear humans to make the release possible and safe for both animals and humans living in tiger habitat. And in April 2012 a young Amur tigress named “Cinderella” became the first resident of the center.

The main construction work has been completed, although there is some extra work to be done. For example, at the moment it is crucial to set up a video monitoring system along the perimeter of the facility so that the center’s caretakers could monitor animal’s behavior. The video system and the computer system that supports it would give the opportunity to observe and learn from the patients. Center’s caretakers will often need to observe the animals to monitor their recovery, without causing more stress on them by entering the enclosure. Video monitoring is ideal for this. Video clips can be used by center’s caretakers, veterinarians, and scientists as well as for educational purposes. Our intention is also to share some of the videos on our social media and website and also use them for some of the education programs we have developed for children and adults. Along with the advantages of observing patients and sharing the information, we are also hoping to include the system as part of a security to the property entrance so that we can provide a safe environment for the wildlife we are caring for.

Equipment and supplies

8 weather-proof high-resolution Ai-SD28 speed-dome cameras (anti-vandal model) need to be installed. Power supply devices, digital video recorder, keyboard controller, cables video transmitter, plugs, electricity distribution boxes, hard drive and fasteners have to be bought and used to assemble a video surveillance system.