As a part of the program to support the fight against poaching, the Amur Tiger Center has developed and handed over winter clothing sets to state game wardens of Primorye.
Poaching is one of the main threats to the Amur tiger population. To effectively fight against poachers, the Amur Tiger Center is actively working with the structure responsible for the protection of tigers and animals, which serve as the predator’s forage: the Department for Protection, Control and Regulation of the Use of Wildlife in Primorsky Krai.
To increase the effectiveness of "tiger defenders", a project is being implemented to re-equip the operational groups: specialized transport, satellite phones, handcuffs, rubber sticks and gas cartridges were purchased. This summer, the Amur Tiger Center developed and handed over summer clothes sets, and when it became cold, inspectors were dressed in warm winter uniforms. The new functional clothing is designed specifically for work in the harsh climatic conditions of the Far East: it allows you to remove excess moisture from the body, regulate heat exchange and protect you from the cold.
According to the senior inspector of Primorye Directorate for the Protection of Wildlife and PAs Alexander Korneeva the uniform not only makes work more comfortable in the cold season, but also increases the authority of inspectors, disciplines hunters.
"People began to treat us differently, they understand that the service is working. Hunters immediately can see that in front of them is a representative of a serious organization - a state inspector. - Alexander Korneyev comments. "Of course, we have gained the authority without the uniform, but it's much better with it."
In addition to the project for the re-equipment of operational groups, the Amur Tiger Center developed and implemented a program to award inspectors, which implies the payment of cash bonuses for each effective detention. In 3 quarters of 2014 inspectors were paid about 700 thousand rubles.
Recall that the process of reorganizing the structure of hunting supervision has been completed in Primorsky Krai. 24 people were transferred to the Directorate for the Protection of Wildlife and PAs from Primorye Department of hunting supervision. There are 4 operational detachments, each of which has two raid groups (altogether 24 wardens). In addition, 26 wardens – employees of the Directorate - ensure the protection of eleven PAs of regional importance and adjacent territories.
In addition to control and supervise wardens’ work with hunting users, law enforcement agencies and authorities, and monitor the state of wildlife populations and habitats. In addition, there is group to resolve conflict situations with large predators, including Amur tigers in Primorsky Krai.
According to the Directorate for the Protection of Wildlife and Specially Protected Natural Territories (PAs), from November 10 to 24 state game wardens conducted 63 environmental raids and identified 28 violations in the hunting area. Also, during the implementation of environmental protection measures, wardens seized 7 hunting weapons, including 1 rifle. During the suppression of one of the violations in the hunting area, 2 poached roe deer were seized.