2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

BACKGOUND

Just a century ago, there were an estimated 100,000 tigers in the wild; today only about 3,500 survive and occupy 7% of their historic range. The tiger has traditionally been classified into nine subspecies, of which three are recently extinct and one likely so. Bengal, Amur, Sumatran, Indochinese, and Malayan tiger, are the surviving subspecies, while the Bali, Javan, Caspian, and, perhaps South China subspecies are extinct. A world without tigers would mean an ecological imbalance as they are the highest in the food chain and are predators. Nowadays, tiger is on the agenda at many highest level political meetings organized to discuss its conservation. At the end of one of such meetings, the International Tiger Forum held in St. Petersburg in 2010, leaders of 13 tiger range countries adopted a Global Tiger Recovery Program that includes a target of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022, making core tiger areas inviolate, increasing public awareness of tiger conservation, setting up cross-boundary protected areas and cracking down on poaching and smuggling.

Russia is one of the 13 tiger-range countries that signed a Declaration aimed at doubling tigers worldwide by 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin is deeply concerned about Amur tiger conservation and has conducted many visits to Primorsky krai in the south of the Russian Far East, which is home to 95 per cent of the global population of Amur tigers. Unfortunately, this subspecies, in spite of a relative stabilization during previous decades, still face many threats such as poaching, habitat destruction, prey depletion and others. Since 1998, the Phoenix Fund has been involved in Amur tiger conservation projects, and we make great efforts to help the Russian Government fulfill its pledges made at the International Tiger Forum.

This year in April, wildlife conservation groups announced that the world’s estimated population of wild tigers had grown to 3890, up 20 per cent in six years. Although some of this increase can be attributed to more accurate recording methods, more effective anti-poaching policies are also responsible. In Russia, the wild population of Amur tigers is currently estimated at 540 animals, including 417-425 animals in Primorsky krai,100-109 in Khabarovsky krai, four in Jewish Autonomous Oblast and two in Amurskaya Oblast, according to a range-wide tiger survey-2015.

Amur tiger 1940s 2005 2015 population in Russia 20-30 tigers 430-500 tigers 523-540 tigers

2015 Amur leopard Up to 2007 2007 population in 60-70 40 leopards 50 leopards Russia leopards

Originally, the range of the Amur leopard extended across Northeast China, the Korean peninsula, and the southern third of Primorsky krai, Russia. Up to 2007, only an estimated 40 leopards remained in a thin sliver of habitat in Southwestern Primorsky krai, with a few individuals wandering into China. The Amur leopard numbers were reduced via overhunting of prey and poaching combined with habitat loss from agricultural and urban development. The Russian Government is deeply concerned about the current state of Amur leopard population. In 2012, Land of the Leopard National Park was created where critical populations of two of the world's big cats – the Amur leopard and Amur tiger - are protected. In February 2015, the simultaneous count of Amur tigers and Amur leopards showed that the global population of Amur leopards is estimated at 60-70 species. 2

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

Such upward tendency in Amur leopard and tiger populations is very encouraging, but these big cats still remain at risk due to poaching, logging, forest fires, and prey depletion. Every year the wild populations of Amur tigers and Amur leopards officially loss up to ten individuals due to poaching and other human activities. And this year was no exception. In 2016, at least seven tigers have reportedly died. Brief description of the cases can be found below:

1) On December 30, 2015, specialists of Land of the Leopard National Park rescued a 4- month-old tiger cub that appeared for unknown reasons without its mother on a farmer’s yard in Filippovka village, Khasan district of Primorye. The emaciated animal was taken to the Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of Tigers and Other Rare Animals (‘Tiger’ Centre) in Alekseevka village. On January 4, 2016, the second tiger cub was found near human settlement. It was a 4-month-old tigress. Its weight was 15 kg that was almost half of normal weight. Unfortunately, the cub died on January 6 despite the efforts by veterinarians due to extreme emaciation and hypothermia. The third tiger cub was found severely emaciated on January 27. It could hardly move around due to hind leg weakness. On February 1, at 6:00 a.m. the young tigress died. 2) In March 2016, border guards of Primorsky krai suppressed an attempt to sell a body of tiger cub. A 50-year-old man purchased the body of rare predator from unknown persons for further resale. He hoped to find buyers among Chinese citizens and gained up to 300 thousand roubles. A refrigerator container with rare derivatives was located in the courtyard of resident of Prokhladnoye village (Nadezhdinsky district of Primrsky krai). A high privacy fence shielded it from prying eyes. Besides tiger body parts, there were eight deer heads and body parts of wild boar and red deer and 20 different hoofs. According to the detainee, he was going to use animal parts for personal purposes. The man bought them from fellow-villagers who go hunting. The entire content of the container was forwarded to Amur Tiger Centre for expertise. According the experts, the body parts belonged to a 3- or 5-month- old tiger cub. The damage to the wildlife was estimated at 1.68 million roubles. The total damage was up to 6.5 million roubles. On April 13, 2016, the police officers initiated 3

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

criminal proceeding against the man who violated article 258.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia that establishes criminal responsibility for the illegal capture, keeping, procurement, transportation and trading of especially valuable wild animals and aquatic biological resources which are listed in the Red Data Book of Russia and which are protected by Russia’s International Agreements. On November 7, 2016, Justice of the Peace of Nadezhdinsky district of Primorye passed a sentence of 200 community service hours on the accused. 3) On May 13, 2016, the officers of Ussuriiskaya Custom Office initiated a criminal proceeding against a Chinese found attempting to smuggle Amur tiger bones (66 grams). The incident occurred at the border crossing point. The detainee wanted to smuggle tiger bones hidden in his pockets. A criminal case was filed. 4) On July 6, 2016, in Khabarovsk, four men tried to sell a tiger skin for 600 thousand roubles. The skin belonged to a young tiger cub, approximately 1 year old. 5) On December 12, 2016, a 2-year-old tiger was found dead near the Obor River in Lazo district, Khabarovsky krai. Specialists suggest that a conflict between a young tiger and a tigress with a cub occurred there. The dead body was taken for examination. 6) On December 13, 2016, traffic police officers of the city of Ussurrisk and frontier guards of the Federal Security Service stopped a car to check driver’s documents. It turned out that a 23-year-old passenger was in possession of a tiger skin. The young trader went to the city of Ussuriisk in the hope to find a buyer there. Luckily, his criminal plan was suppressed by frontier guards.

Moreover, in October-December 2016 there were a number of cases when Amur tigers strayed into human territory for different reasons. On October 21, a 2-year-old tiger cub weighing 140 kg was captured near Vladivostok city. It will be kept at the Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of Tigers and Other Rare Animals (PROO “Centre TIGER”) in the village of Alekseevka until it is ready for return into the wild. On the night of October 27, another Amur male tiger, approx. 3 or 4 years old, weighing 173 kg, was captured near Artyom town. Shortly after the capture, it was released back into the wild. On November 9, a tigress, approx. 3 or 4 years old, was captured near Solontsovy village, Khabarovsky krai and transported to Utyos Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. On December 16, specialists of the Primorsky Hunting Department and PROO “Centre TIGER” successfully captured an orphan tiger cub near Lazo village of Primorsky krai. It was a 5-month-old female tiger weighing 20 kilograms with 7.5 cm paw size. Unfortunately, the mother tigress was not found nearby that is why the decision was made to capture the cub.

In July, a leopard was hit by a car on Razdolnoye-Khasan highway. The animal jumped to its feet after being shunted by the vehicle, and quickly disappeared in the bush. It is likely that the predator was not seriously injured, and it is good that a horrible tragedy did not happen as it occurred in October 2015 when the leopard Meamur died in a car collision.

In view of this, it is crucial to carry on implementing activities aimed at protecting Amur tigers and leopards, their prey and habitat, and raising environmental awareness of local community.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

PROJECT SUMMARY

The project was implemented in Primorsky krai, also “It’s not just about known as Primorye, a federal subject of Russia that is technology,” says Sergei home to Amur tigers included as endangered species in Bereznuk, director of the IUCN Red List and Russia’s Red Book and Amur leopards classified as Critically Endangered since 1996 by Phoenix Fund, “but also IUCN and also included in Russia’s Red Book. Some education. We need to project activities were also carried out in Khabarovsky explain to local people krai. that having tigers in our

The long-term goal of the project was to stabilize Amur forests is a source of tiger and leopard populations in Primorye and reduce celebration and pride, so poaching of and trade in these big cats. The short-term that they will want to goals of the project were as follows: look after them for

future generations. 1) to reduce poaching of Amur tigers, Amur leopards, and their prey species and improve protection of their habitat; While we continue to 2) to improve law enforcement efforts within the protected focus on law areas; enforcement as the 3) and to raise people’s awareness about the state of Amur short-term key to the tiger and leopard populations and involve the public in nature conservation actions. survival of the species, we recognize that it is The project activities included: the education of the community that will  Implementation of a Law Enforcement Monitoring ensure the survival of Program (SMART, an upgraded version of MIST) in five protected areas, namely Sikhote-Alin the tiger in the long- Nature Reserve, United Direction of Lazovsky term.” Nature Reserve and Zov Tigra National Park, Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriisky Nature Reserve;  Consultations and training sessions on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to track and hunt down wildlife poachers and detect forest fires by protected area staff;  Environmental education and outreach activities that included Tiger Day Festival in Primorye, a workshop for educators, eco-lessons and an art contest.

Below, please read our 2016 Final Report where we bring you highlights of Phoenix Fund’s efforts over the past year to ensure a future for the Amur tigers, leopards and other wildlife and wild lands of the Russian Far East.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS IN FIVE PAs (work with SMART) Poaching remains to be one of the main problems for the protected areas (PAs). PAs represent core breeding habitat for tigers and leopards and are therefore priority for improved protection in Primorsky krai. A critical step in conserving Amur tigers, Amur leopards and other wildlife is to improve anti-poaching efforts. This is what our SMART program sets out to achieve by introducing patrol monitoring with SMART software and adaptive patrol management to conservation law enforcement agencies. The Phoenix Fund, together with its partners Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London, launched SMART anti-poaching program in December 2010 at two sites – Land of the Leopard National Park and Lazovsky Nature Reserve. In June 2011, the program was rolled out to two more protected areas -Zov Tigra National Park and Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Nature Reserve, and to a fifth site in 2013 - Ussuriisky Nature Reserve. We provided our rangers with the smartest technology to effectively combat all kinds of poaching. Analyzing the results of patrol work in the continuum we see a clear trend of declining violations on the territories where SMART was implemented.

The Phoenix Fund has achieved considerable success in improving anti-poaching efforts in Amur tiger habitat through a comprehensive, law enforcement monitoring (LEM) program, developed around a Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART). Designed to monitor poaching activities and anti-poaching patrol response, the biggest advantage of the SMART database is that it provides a means of measuring, evaluating and comparing outputs both in terms of effort expended (e.g. number of kilometres patrolled, number of patrol days) and results (e.g. numbers of citations, arrests, confiscations).This law enforcement monitoring tool with an incentive scheme for patrol staff provides a structure for continuously improving law enforcement results. With an incentive scheme the teams that demonstrate improvements and excellence in both effort and results are financially rewarded, and it also establishes friendly competition between teams and creates a stimulus for excellence in anti-poaching work.

During the reported period, the rangers worked long hours and risked their lives working in remote areas and approaching suspects who far more often than not were carrying a weapon. To provide adequate protection to the assigned areas the rangers regularly:

• patrolled on foot, by vehicles and boats; • checked camps, winter cabins and recreation centres located in the PAs; • made night ambushes on public roads leading to or running through the PAs; • tracked hunters over snow; • conducted roadblocks; • conducted car searches to confiscate game meat and illegal firearms;

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

• encouraged locals to be aware and pass on tips and leads to local authorities about potential poaching activities.

During the reported period, seven SMART feedback meetings were held for the law enforcement staff and PA’s managers, namely: • In April 2016 - Sikhote Alin Nature Reserve, • In April 2016 - United Directorate of Lazovsky Reserve and Zov Tigra NP, • In March 2016 - Land of the Leopard National Park, • In February 2016 and June 2016 - Ussuriisky Nature Reserve, • In March 2016 and June 2016 - United direction of Protected Priamurye.

Since introduction of MIST/SMART, some of PAs has becoming more or less independent from our assistance (data collection, data storage & management, data processing & periodic reports, data evaluation & feedback meetings). Technical dependence of SMART sites on our assistance can be explained by the time of work with SMART and different level of support of SMART from the management team (see the table below).

FullyFully independent independent from WCS The accurate statistics on law-enforcement results for the second AlmostAlmost independent independent from WCS half of 2016 will be available in the late January-February 2017, DependentDependent on WCS and then it will be entered into the database and the final report on SMART implementation will be developed.

In general, SMART program continues to show good progress both in terms of maintaining a high level of patrol quality at most program sites and with respect to making sites more independent from our assistance. We satisfied with the results of SMART program in 5 PAs and would like to continue assisting them in 2017.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund Securing a Future for Amur Leopards and Tigers in Russia – IV  Final Report

WORK WITH UAVs In 2016, Phoenix carried on implementing the project that presupposes the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in order to improve conservation efforts in Amur leopard/Amur tiger habitat. In 2012, thanks to support from many sponsors, we launched this project in Primorye, in 2013-2014 we purchased a number of quadcopters and demonstrated them to the managers of Ussuriisky NR, Land of the Leopard NP, Lazovsky NR, Sikhote-Alin NR and other PAs. They have got interested in using drones in tracking poachers and wildlife monitoring and asked Phoenix to hold special training courses on work with drones for their staff. In 2015, we purchased two quadcopters and a fixed UAV wing and held 17 training sessions for personnel of PAs to use UAVs. In 2016, Phoenix continued holding training sessions and consulting the protected area staff on the work with UAVs, and began practicing to build terrain maps from drone imagery and create aerial 3D models using different types of UAVs.

During the reported period, Phoenix assisted in purchasing 12 UAVs for protected areas. In October 2015, together with our partners from Maritime State University named after admiral G.I.Nevelskoi we assembled a catapult UAV launcher and tested it in the field. The test revealed some drawbacks, which were removed in January 2016. Additionally, after losing one of the drones during a test flight, Phoenix decided to purchase a wireless beacon for locating lost UAVs. During the reported period, we also installed a parachute recovery system on one of the UAVs and a first person view video camera.

Phoenix held as many as 57 tests and joint flights under various weather conditions and on different landscapes and demonstrated the capabilities of UAVs to solve various nature conservation problems. During the reported period, Phoenix held 22 training sessions on the use of UAVs and conducted field tests and joint flights with the trained staff. All in all, 39 specialists from nine protected areas (Land of the Leopard National Park, Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, Far Eastern Marine State Biosphere Nature Reserve, Ussuriisky Nature Reserve, Anyuisky National Park, Protected Priamurye, Komsomolsky, Khingansky and Lazovsky nature reserves), scientists, educators and specialists of Hunting Management Department and Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resource Usage (Rosprirodnadzor) in Primorsky krai took the training courses. During the reported period, Phoenix began using drones to make 3D terrain and architectural models and accurate maps with coordinates. For example, we made a 3D map of the Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of Tigers and Other Rare Animals

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Eco-lessons at schools, kindergartens and eco-centres in 4 districts of Primorye

During the reported period, thanks to support from our sponsors, the Phoenix Fund continued supporting the educators working in three administrative districts of Primorye, namely Lazovsky, Khasansky, Terneisky and in Vladivostok city in order to increase environmental awareness among the local community. In all, from January through December 2016, the teachers gave 797 lessons and other nature-oriented events for 28,319 children.

- Terney is a strategically important place for tiger education. Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve is located in the district. The Uragus eco-centre led by Galina Maksimova, who devoted the greater of her life to teaching children Biology and Ecology, offers lectures, workshops and seminars, produces public actions, and provides a variety of environmentally oriented actions and information to Terney community. In January – December 2016, Galina Maksimova held 524 nature-oriented events for 22,832 children and 945 adults. Several events were organized for local residents of Terney where the audience got acquainted with conservation projects. The children together with specialists of Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve and adult volunteers transplanted 1,300 young Korean pines on the area that burnt out in 2013.

- The Khasan district where Rodnichok Ecological Centre is situated is very rich in biodiversity. Although Rodnichok is a place-based ecological learning centre in Slavyanka village, the educator regularly visits spread out villages of Khasan giving ecological lessons to schoolchildren of Zarubino, Zanadvorovka, Vityaz and other villages. Centre’s programs connect to the school general education curriculum while encouraging learners to go deeper, immersing themselves in the natural world to feel, understand and act for the environment. In 2016, Natalia Drobysheva, a professional environmental educator, carried out 61 classes for 1,549 children 7- 16 years old. Natalia's performance remains stable over years however the working methods and educator's experience are always progressing. Teachers from rural schools always appreciate her classes, as they take over new creative ideas and methods of ecological work they can use. 9

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

- In Lazovsky district, Phoenix has been cooperating with Ecological Department and eco- centre specialists of Lazovsky Nature Reserve. The specialists established systematic work with schools, kindergartens, and people of Lazovsky district. Educators developed a large number of ecological games, holiday scenarios, training programs for pre-schoolers and children of primary school. “Ecological teams” consisting of teachers and club members are sent to district schools. With the help of traveling exhibitions, discussions, theatre performances, film screenings and games, schoolchildren and teaching staff of village schools become familiar with ecological education. Not only theoretical knowledge is involved; pupils also plant trees, make and set up birdfeeders, and collect rubbish. There is a Nature Museum at the Reserve, where thematic excursions are organized. From January through December 2016, the educators gave 172 eco-lessons for 3,938 children aged 3-17 and adults. It is important to continue supporting educational outreach activities targeted at local citizens in Lazovsky and Olginsky districts of Primorye in order to increase their support for the programme for reintroduction of the Amur leopard into Southern Sikhote-Alin.

- In Vladivostok, the Phoenix Fund has been supporting the Centre for Environmental Education and the first citywide Environmental Theatre. Alexandra Vinogradova, proficient actress and acting instructor, gave 40 drama/performing arts lessons for schoolchildren. These special classes at the Centre let children unleash their creativity through movement, improvisation, singing and dancing. The children learned new songs about nature and wildlife and found out about rhythm, timing and how sounds are formed. Moreover, Alexander Vrisch, coordinator of education projects of the Phoenix Fund, gave two lessons on rare and endangered animals inhabiting the south of the Russian Far East, including the Amur tiger and Amur leopard. In 2016, the young artists showed five mini-performances on wildlife conservation topics and performed during the Tiger Day celebration in Vladivostok on 25th September.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

ANNUAL WORKSHOP FOR EDUCATORS Since 2005, Phoenix has been organizing an annual workshop aimed at increasing level of teachers' knowledge and professional skills, introducing new computer technologies and giving educators an opportunity to share their experience. The workshops proved to be effective in raising skills of our educators and improving ecological lessons. The workshops offer opportunity for professional development, as well as meet teacher's specific needs. During a workshop, educators share their lessons, presentations, and other information, experience and materials with their counterparts, and are trained in new methods in education and outreach. Each year we involve more and more people and educational institutions.

Between March 28 and March 30, the Phoenix Fund held the 11th annual workshop for 45 environmental education specialists from the south of the Russian Far East. During a three-day workshop, the participants discussed regional nature conservation issues, got acquainted with innovative ways of work with the community and advanced guidance/reference papers on conservation of the Amur tiger and the Amur leopard. This year, the Phoenix Fund has welcomed the representatives of 13 protected areas.

Traditionally, the educators from the eco-centres in Arseniev, Luchegorsk, Novopokrovka, Slavyanka, Sovetskaya Gavan, Terney and Ussuriisk towns attended the workshop too. Among the special guests of the meeting there were the representatives of Museum of A.V. Zhirmunsky Institute of Marine Biology (the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences), Red Book Scientific Research Centre, Architecture and Urban Development Department (School of Engineering of the Far Eastern Federal University), Regional Social Rehabilitation Centre for Disadvantaged and At-Risk Children ‘Sail of Hope’, Primorsky Safari Park, and the N. N. Dubinin Boarding School for Gifted Children (Vladivostok State University of Economics and Services).

During the workshop, the attendees listened to the reports on the following topics: “Amur Tiger on the South of the Russian Far East”, “Amur leopard”, “Science for Traveling. Primorye”, “Green technologies, ecological and solar architecture”, and others. The participants found information about the outreach work with different age groups very useful and interesting. During the breaks between sessions, the teachers and educators shared their experience gained during their work with children and adults, unlock personal secrets and tips to help involve schoolchildren in nature conservation activities, and confide their plans to inspire higher levels of environmental awareness among people.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

ART CONTEST For eleven years, the Phoenix Fund has been organizing annual art contests for children with the purpose of promoting careful and respectful attitude towards the Amur tiger and Amur leopard at young age. The topic always concerns these big cats. We believe that creating art is a healthy way for children to use their imaginations and to express themselves. Children have a natural affinity for animals and art – both of which can help them develop fundamental skills, values and attitudes. Art helps to give children a voice, encourages open-minded thinking and builds a sense of connection with the natural world.

Every year the team of the Phoenix Fund has the difficult – but heart-warming – task of choosing winners from the amazing original artwork submissions that come pouring in from schoolchildren across the Russian Far East. This year was no different: as many as 1,856 children between 5 and 18 years of age sent in paintings – 1,301 tiger drawings and 555 leopard drawings. (Compare: in 2015, Phoenix received 1,741 Amur tiger drawings and 884 Amur leopard drawings).

This year the contest expanded its geographical borders and welcomed participants not only from Primorsky and Khabarovsky krais, but also from Amurskaya, Autonomous Jewish, Chelyabinskaya, and Moskovskaya provinces and the Republic of Korea. Four years ago, Phoenix and the Tiger and Leopard Conservation Fund in Korea (KTLCF) decided to make the drawing contest international by organizing it in both Russia and Korea and providing an opportunity for Korean and Russian children to help each other on protection of Amur tiger and leopard populations in Russia and China.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

TIGER DAY FESTIVAL

Phoenix started preparations for the Festival in March, began working on design of Tiger Day promotion materials, such as magnets, toys, key chains and symbolic awards, which were given away to the most active participants of the festival in September. Besides preparing souvenirs, on May 26 and June 23 Phoenix met with the specialists of Youth Welfare Department of Vladivostok City Administration to initiate preparation for the festival and discuss what original and innovative entertainments could be included in the program.

In the run-up to the festival, there were a number of events for young children and adults. The Festival program included the unveiling of the memorial honouring Vasiliy Oschepkov, famous judo coach and one of the founders of Sambo who drew on tiger habits and movements to develop sambo. On September 20, there was a graffiti workshop during which children learned to draw graffiti. On September 22, Phoenix and secondary school #28 officially opened an eco- theater in Vladivostok. During the opening ceremony the young artists showed a mini performance about the Amur tiger and Amur leopard. On September 25, the young artists dressed as animals of the Ussuriiskaya taiga entertained the spectators and attracted people to take a quiz about Amur tigers.

On Saturday, September 24, Sportivnaya Gavan waterfront, one of the oldest and Vladivostok residents' most favorite recreation places, attracted residents and guests by the following entertainment events: - Best dance contest (the winners performed on the main stage on September 25); - Award ceremony for winners of art and poetry contests; - Presentation of the third illustrated book by Sergei Georgiyev, Amurchik, or The Adventures of a Tiger Cub, sponsored by the ANO Amur Tiger Center.

Also, there was a concert on the stage of the Chamber Hall of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. The program included Honorary Certificate Delivery Ceremony during which rangers and tiger specialists received letters of gratitude from the Russian Geographical Society and ANO Amur tiger Center. Also, deserving citizens were awarded the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honour, an honorary award bestowed by the President of the Russian Federation, as public recognition of their contribution to conservation of unique natural resources of the Russian Far East.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

On Saturday, about 5,000 participants took part in Vladivostok International Marathon (5 km, 21,1 km and 42,2 km) specially organized to attract the public towards nature conservation. On September 25, 2016, about 15 thousand guests and citizens of Vladivostok took part in celebration of the 17th anniversary of Tiger Day. Traditionally, the Festival began with a carnival procession. The weather was beautiful, and the parade was a great success. At noon, costumed parade units representing local schools, kindergartens, businesses, governmental agencies, non- governmental organizations, children’s activity centers, etc. began moving down Okeansky prospect to the central city square.

Every year, the participants compete using any and all possible methods such as colorful tiger costumes, masks, balloons, posters, conservation slogans to encourage people to save Amur tigers and other wildlife in the Russian Far East in order to stand out their parade units. The parade itself comprised about 100 units. Specialized motor vehicles (three quad bikes and seven off-road jeeps) designated for the use in taiga by anti-poaching teams headed the procession. Later on, on the central stage the vehicles were handed over to Primorsky Hunting Management Department and hunting leases by ANO Amur Tiger Center.

After the parade ended, the festivities continued on the central city square. Primorye Territory Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky and acting Vladivostok mayor Konstantin Loboda congratulated the residents and visitors on the 17th anniversary of Tiger Day. Konstantin Loboda awarded three best parade units for brilliance, originality and full compliance with topic. All the participants received a Tiger Face acrylic award.

Additionally, at the Phoenix’ pavilion, a press wall/stand with two images of Amur tigers and text “We are so similar” gave the guests of the festival a possibility to make a unique memory photo of the Tiger Day. Both children and adults were happy to place their faces through the hole in tiger face and take a picture.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

At the Phoenix’ pavilion, Natalia Drobysheva and Valeria Nazarova, highly skilled teachers, gave the children a quiz with questions about Amur tigers and other tiger subspecies. Every child who gave a correct answer received a small gift, such as a tiger paw magnet, bookmark with info about tigers, toy tiger or colorful calendars with tiger images.

The square was the main ground for festive events. The spectators saw the winners of Ecological Fashion Contest with costumes made of plastic bottles, paper and other recycled materials. The winners of Best Dance Contest amazed the audience with captivating dances. Everyone had a chance to visit pavilions of non-governmental ecological organizations and find out details of their activities, projects and interesting facts about the Amur tiger. Also, with great pleasure the children participated in the following contests organized by Phoenix: “The strongest tiger”, “The cunning tiger” and “The hungriest tiger” with tug-of-war.

A live concert of the Russian rock band Listya Travy (Leaves of Grass), Ken Hensley with the UK rock and roll band Our Propaganda, and a popular Russian pop/rock band ZVERI (Animals) gave zest to the holiday. The concert was held on the stage of the city square at 6:30 p.m. The quantitative results of the event are as follows:

- About 15,000 people - number of participants and guests; - About 100 units participated in the parade; - Over 20 articles and TV reports about the Tiger Day in mass media.

We are glad to admit that administrations of Primorsky krai and Vladivostok city are more involved in Tiger Day celebration in Vladivostok. Also, in September-October 2016, the Tiger Day Festival celebrated in cities of Primorsky (Lazo, Kirovka, Partizansk, Terney, Arseniev, Luchegorsk, Ussuriisk and Novopokrovka towns) and Khabarovsky krais.

Taking into account that thanks to a successful tiger rehabilitation project, the geographical range of Amur tiger has expanded and tigers are making a comeback in Amurskaya and Jewish autonomous provinces, it is necessary to educate people there and raise their awareness about the importance of tiger conservation. Thus, it is necessary to focus on holding Tiger Day Festival in those new areas.

2016 Annual Report – Phoenix Fund

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our gratitude to all our partners for continuous support of our projects aimed at Amur tiger/Amur leopard conservation in the Russian Far East. Thanks to support from our sponsors, we continued to increase capacity of the anti-poaching teams in order to reduce poaching activities, enhance wildlife and habitat protection, and attract young people as well as adults to wildlife conservation problems, increase their awareness of main threats to the survival of Amur tigers and leopards and measures to conserve these big cats and their habitat, and involve them in nature conservation activities.

In 2016, the Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a decree making 2017 the Year of Ecology. This move should help attract public attention to environmental issues in Russia, the conservation of biological diversity and ensure ecological safety.

Our profound thanks go to all our supporters, including:

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Global Giving Foundation International Fund for Animal Welfare Kolmarden Fund Raising Foundation Korean Tigers and Leopards Conservation Fund Rufford Foundation Russian Geographical Society Tiger Island/ Dreamworld Conservation Fund Whitley Fund for Nature Wildlife Conservation Society Zoological Society of London

We want to thank equally many other donors who have contributed to our work through individual gifts and online donations. We are thankful for the terrific work, dedication and passion for nature of many organizations, namely the Centre for Reintroduction and Rehabilitation of Amur Tigers and Other Rare Animals (PROO “Centre TIGER”), Land of the Leopard National Park, Lazovsky Nature Reserve, Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Nature Reserve, Zov Tigra National Park, Ussuriisky Nature Reserve and others.

Photo credits: Press service of the MIA Administration for the Primorsky Territory, Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of Tigers and Rare Animals (PROO “Centre Tiger”), Press service of Frontier Department of the Russian Federal Security Service in Primorsky Krai, Alexander Khitrov, Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Nature Reserve, Ussuriisky Nature Reserve, and Phoenix Fund.