From July 01 to September 30 Vladimir Schetinin Continued Giving Consultations on Environmental Legislation to Inspection Tiger Rangers and Law Enforcement Officers

Phoenix Fund

Operation Amba: Siberian Tiger Protection Efforts in 2004

Final report January 01 –December 31, 2004

Vladivostok 2004 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

FINAL REPORT January 01 – December 31, 2004

Grantor: Save the Tiger Fund Project Name: Operation Amba: Siberian Tiger Protection Efforts in 2004 Project #: 2003-0087-028 Grantee: The Phoenix Fund Report Period: January 01 – December 31, 2004 Grant Period: January 01 – December 31, 2004

I. Project overview

The project objective is to conserve endangered wildlife in the Russian Far East and ensure long-term survival of the Siberian (Amur) tiger and its prey species through anti-poaching activities, coordination of anti-poaching activities in the region, environmental education and outreach.

For the reported period January 01 – December 31, 2004 the Khabarovsky anti-poaching team of Inspection Tiger continued anti-poaching activities in the south of Khabarovsky krai. As a result, the team drew up 84 reports on violations, including 62 reports on violations of hunting regulations, confiscated 21 illegal rifles, 20 nets, 3 boats and 4 snares (see Table 1). Cases involving pollution of the forest and protected areas have increased this year, with 4 cases being reported.

Two public environmental investigation teams, in cooperation with state environmental law enforcement teams, conducted regular patrols to suppress poaching activity in Pozharsky, Krasnoarmeisky and Dalnerechensky districts of Primorye. For the reported period the team drew up 155 reports, including 136 reports on violations of hunting regulations, confiscated 92 illegal rifles and 2 tiger skins, 300 meters of fishing nets and 30 traps (see Table 2). The results are almost the same as in 2003. It means that poaching still remains a serious problem in the region. Besides anti-poaching activity, the team visited local schools and gave lectures for schoolchildren and students

Interregional team of Inspection Tiger has been coordinating the environmental law enforcement activities of all field teams of Inspection Tiger, establishing relationship with other environmental law enforcement agencies, assisting in solving conflict tiger cases. Training courses on law enforcement legislation are designed by Vladimir Schetinin, former commander of Inspection Tiger, to enhance the practical and knowledge based skills of rangers. The trainings took place on a regular basis in the office of Inspection Tiger.

Thanks to support from STF, the rangers achieved good results and showed high quality professionalism. Not only they patrol in an efficient and disciplined way, but also adhere to strict legal guidelines during the arrest and processing of violators.

In 2004 the Phoenix Fund continued the educational project in the north of Primorye. Two experienced teachers were provided with education materials to carry out eco-classes in Pozharsky district. Over 1,820 schoolchildren attended ecological classes at local schools and eco-centers in 2004. The Phoenix Fund has also organized the Tiger Day Festivals in several cities of Primorye to attract people’s attention to the tiger conservation problems and the “Young Inspectors’ Summer School” for ecologically oriented children of Pozharsky district, Northern Primorye. All the events were a success.

Below please find a detailed description of all project activities.

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II. Anti-poaching activity

The Khabarovsky team of Inspection Tiger

In February the team conducted a patrol in Nanai district and in “Tayozhnaya” hunting lease, drew up a protocol on Mr. Beldy. As the rangers found out Mr. Beldy had shot two deer in the beginning of December in the mouth of the Maken River, but could not take the meat with him and left it on the spot. A tiger found the meat and ate part of it. Along the tiger path Mr. Beldy set up two snares on tiger in order to catch the endangered animal. Taking into account the serious nature of the violation the team handed the case over to the head of Nanai district police department for further investigation and development.

In April the Khabarovsky team, together with © Inspection Tiger Khabarovsky GUPR (Main Directorate for Natural Ranger is drawing a report Resources and Environmental Protection) specialist, revealed unauthorized logging of oak, ash and linden tree species on the territory of Oborsky forestry. The case was documented and all materials were forwarded to the director of Oborsky forestry for further investigation.

In June the team in cooperation with fishing managers was patrolling on the Khor River. As a result, two men were arrested for illegal hunting. The rangers confiscated six rifles, drew up reports and made violators pay a fine. During that patrol three more people were arrested for illegal hunting without permits. The rangers confiscated three rifles. One day the rangers saw a motorboat and went to check it. But people started up the boat and © Inspection Tiger Patrol on the Khor river

disappeared. The rangers pursued the motorboat and saw a man throwing overboard a rifle. The rangers did not catch violators but found the rifle. Unfortunately, the owner was not determined.

In July the Khabarovsky anti-poaching team, together with fishing inspectors and police officers, went down the Khor river. A special journalist also participated in this patrol, and as a result, a special report entitled “River rangers” was published in the Moscowsky

3 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 regulation, detained a man for illegal hunting during closed hunting season and confiscated his rifle, drew up a report and initiated administrative proceedings. Besides this case, the rangers drew up 5 reports on violations of fishing regulations and confiscated 10 fishing nets.

In the beginning of August the Khabarovsky team resolved a conflict tiger case. The team received information that a tiger had killed a dog on the territory of Mukhensky mineral spring, Nanaisky district (about 30 km far from Mukhen village). Immediately afterwards, the team went to investigate the case. It was ascertained that the tiger had already killed 4 dogs for the last two months near mineral spring. The last case happened near an administrative building and the guard saw an adult tiger. The rangers gave instructions on safety rules and asked to take away the dogs from the spring territory. Besides this case, the Khabarovsky team continued patrolling and, as a result, 4 men were arrested for violations of hunting regulations.

In September the team, in conjunction with the gamekeepers of Mataisky wildlife refuge, conducted patrols in the Upper Kafen River. As a result, three reports on violations of hunting regulations were recorded. Besides, they carried out patrols on the territory of a military hunting lease near the Dolminka river. The joint team arrested a man for hunting a Siberian stag without license. The rangers drew up a report and confiscated a rifle. The violator paid a fine. Later on, while patrolling in Mataisky wildlife refuge the rangers met a man who handed in his unregistered gun voluntarily. At the end of September the rangers arrested two men for illegal entrance into the wildlife refuge. © Inspection Tiger The violators paid a fine. Checking rifles For the period October 04-11 Khabarovsky anti-poaching team was patrolling in Vyazemsky district and south of Lazo district of Khabarovsky region. The team revealed pollution with wastes, drew up a report on violation; the violator paid a fine. While patrolling the team detained Mr. Kartavy and drew up a report on illegal hunting without hunting license. In the basin of the Golda River the rangers confiscated a smoothbore shotgun from Mr. Belokrylov, who had neither permit papers for the gun, nor a hunting license. The team drew up a report and made the violator pay a fine. In the basin of the Olkhovy spring of the Motai River a smoothbore shotgun was confiscated from Mr. © Inspection Tiger Savin, who did not have a permit for the rifle Poached fish and a hunting license. The team made a report on violation; the violator paid a fine. The confiscated rifles were forwarded to Lazo police department. Both rifles were not registered at the Internal Affairs Office of Khabarovsky region. In October 21-27, while patrolling in Lazo district the team detained Mr. Antonyuk and drew up a report on illegal hunting without a hunting license. On the territory of “Lazovskoye” hunting lease the team checked the hunting documents of Mr. Poberezhny and confiscated his smoothbore shotgun as his weapon permit had expired. At that place the rangers detained Mr. Sheremetiev

4 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 for illegal hunting without a hunting permit. In October 29-31, the Khabarovsky anti-poaching team of Inspection Tiger was patrolling along the Khor River. The rangers drew up three reports on two men hunting without hunting permits and on a man fishing with prohibited fishing devices. All violators paid fines.

On November 01, the team made a joint patrol together with the head of the nature conservation department of the Lazo district administration. They detained Mr. Nesmeyanov who was fishing in the Khor River with prohibited fishing devices and without a fishing license. He had caught 15 pikes, 10 lenoks (salmon species), 4 taimiens (Japanese huchen), and a chum salmon. The violator recovered the loss and paid the fine. Next day the team checked an off-road vehicle on a logging road and found deer meat. The driver could not provide hunting permit and paid a fine. © Inspection Tiger On November 03, the team was investigating a Checking the winter house conflict tiger case. On the 2nd of November the Director of Khorsky forestry informed the Inspection Tiger team that a tiger had killed a sheep on the apiary 4 km from Kutuzovka village near the Shkolny spring. The beekeeper explained that he had let the sheep out at 7 am and started cleaning the barn. In several minutes he heard some noise and having left the barn he saw a tiger dragging a sheep into the forest 40 meters far from the barn. He preserved tiger tracks (paw width 7 cm) and called the director of the forestry. During investigation the team found out that the first sheep had been killed in spring, but the beekeeper had not informed about that case. In summer the tiger did not appear near the apiary. The apiary and the barn are not fenced. In daytime the goats and sheep leave the barn and pasture freely. The anti-poaching team searched the forest near the apiary, but could not find the sheep remains. The beekeeper was explained the guidelines of human behavior and livestock management in tiger habitat.

During November 12-13, the team was investigating a conflict tiger case. On November 12 at 8 a.m. the head of the nature conservation department of Vyazemsky district administration informed that a tiger had come to the quarry that was situated on the 159th km of the Vladivostok – Khabarovsk road (30 km far from Vyazemsky town). The team went to the site and was informed that at night on November 06 a worker at a nearby farm had heard tiger roar. On November 11, tiger roar was heard again near the cowshed. Over 10 dogs are kept without leash there. The team searched the forest near the quarry and could not find tiger tracks, as there was no snow. The head of the quarry was informed about © Inspection Tiger safety rules and guidelines to human behavior Checking documents and livestock management in tiger habitat. If the tiger appears again, special measures should be taken to care the tiger away.

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On November 15-17, the anti-poaching team was patrolling in Vyazemsky district. They detained Mr. Sheludko for hunting without a hunting license and drew up a report on violation. In the basin of the Pashino spring the rangers confiscated a 20-calibre smoothbore shotgun from Mr. Budarin, drew up a report on violation. The violator paid a fine for hunting without a hunting permit. The shotgun was forwarded to Vlazemsky district police department.

On December 05-07, the patrols in Lazo district of Khabarovsky region resulted in detention of Mr. Seleznev for hinting without a hunting permit. The violator paid a fine. On December 12-13 the patrols were carried out in Vyazemsky and Lazo districts. In the quarry near Grushevaya mount in Lazovskoye hunting lease the rangers found a motorbike without registration plate. The man’s tracks led into the forest. At 8 p.m. Mr. Androschuk came up to the motorbike with a gun. He showed a permit for the gun and a license for hunting a hazel grouse. Following his tracks the rangers found a backpack with the roe deer meat and drew up a report on violation. The violator paid a fine. During the period December 20-24, the © Inspection Tiger team patrolled Vlazemsky and Lazo districts. The ranger is checking the hunter’s licences Following the trail along the Potopilokha confluent of the Khor River, the rangers found a dugout. Having searched the earth –house the rangers found two guns in a cache: one double-barreled shotgun and a single-barreled rifled gun. The guns were forwarded to the Lazo district police department. During that period the team detained Mr. Serov for hunting without a license.

Public environmental investigation teams

In January near the Chanza stream, the team rangers noticed bear tracks going away into the forest and clear footsteps of three people above them. Having examined the surroundings, the rangers found a skin of Asiatic black bear 200 meters far from the hunting path. Bear meat and fat were hidden in the snow. Unfortunately, the public rangers could not determine a person who had killed the bear.

On March 10, 2004 wildlife managers of © Phoenix Fund Primorsky Hunting Management Department, Public ranger found meat of a poached Siberian stag in cooperation with public ranger and while checking a truck representative of NGO, confiscated two Amur tiger skins from a policeman in Chuguevsky district, central Primorye, Russian Far East. The skins of two tiger cubs were confiscated from Andrei Rekunov, police officer of Chuguevsky district. One of the wildlife managers, together with a public ranger, posed as buyer and arranged a meeting with a seller. The others made an ambush around the place of meeting. The ‘deal’ was arranged in the car of the skins’ owner.

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When the ‘buyers’ received the skins, the wildlife managers and public rangers blocked up the car of illegal trader. First, Andrei Rekunov, the police officer, locked on the inside and did not get out of his car, and denied that the skins belonged to him. Fortunately, the public rangers noticed a car approaching to them, in which there was Vasily Tabolov, police colonel. Thanks to his assistance more police officers were sent to arrest the offender. Two hours later, the arrested policeman resigned his position. The confiscated skins and all documents were forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office of Chuguevsky district for further investigation.

In April while patrolling on hunting grounds near the July stream, the rangers heard three shots. Immediately afterwards, the team went to find out © Phoenix Fund the reasons of shooting. They found ski traces on Ranger carries confiscated illegal rifles the snow and decided to track them down. As a result, the team saw a man cutting a carcass of a killed wild boar. Two dogs were walking around. The public rangers arrested a poacher, confiscated illegal rifle and 12 cartridges and poached meat, and drew up a report on violation of hunting regulations. Later on, the team arrested one more poacher near the Bolshoe Takhalo River for illegal hunting with two dogs. The rangers confiscated rifle, 2 cartridges, and documents and drew up a report.

On June 09 while patrolling near Shumny village the rangers stopped a motorbike with two men. One of them appeared to be a gamekeeper who, according to his words, was coming back after a patrol in hunting grounds. After checking the motorbike, the rangers found two sacks with meat of roe deer and Siberian stag. Arrested people explained that they had heard shots and found the sacks with meat near their winter house. Some doubts were cast upon it and rangers decided to check the place where gamekeeper and his fellow had found poached meat. Immediately upon arrival to the place, the rangers found two salted bear skins 15 m far from the winter house. The gamekeeper could not explain why those skins had been lying near the winter house. While checking the winter house inside, the rangers found a 8 mm rope. Apparently, it was used to make snares for hunting big predators, like bears and tigers. The gamekeeper could not show the place where they had found meat. After examining the surroundings, the rangers found a man-made salt lick and 20-meter high “lobaz” (a hiding construction for hunting) 800-900 m far from the winter house. The foot-prints left on the loam of salt lick was identical to gamekeeper’s boots. But the gamekeeper told that he had never seen that salt lick. Further scene examination allowed finding two skins of killed roe deer (male and female) 30 m far from the salt lick. The rangers came to conclusion that the gamekeeper had killed two roe deer using his official position and had drawn up a fictitious report in order to take the meat out of the hunting lands. As a result, the rangers drew up a report on violation of hunting regulations and forwarded the document to the local police department.

From July 01 to September 30 the main attention was paid to conservation of the habitat of the ungulates, as it was a period when hunting on ungulates was closed completely. Nevertheless, poachers like hunting on man-made salt licks, natural mineral feeding grounds and during breeding season. On July 26 a man was arrested for illegal hunting without permit. The public rangers confiscated a rifle and imposed a fine of 500 rubles ($17).

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On July 28 near the Situkha river the rangers apprehended a man for violations of hunting regulations. The violator had a rifle and was hunting without license and any documents for his weapon. As a result, the rifle was confiscated and the violator paid a fine of 500 rubles ($17). On the same day near the Big Sibichi river the team arrested a man who was hunting on bear with home-made poaching devices (2 items). The rangers confiscated the devices and imposed a fine of 500 rubles ($17).

During an August 13 patrol on a logging road 27 km far from Lermontovka village in the flood lands of the Alchan River, the team detained © Phoenix Fund two men on a motorcycle in “Alchan” hunting Rangers are checking the license and number of fish lease with rifles without permits during the closed hunting season. The team filmed the case, confiscated the weapon and drew up a report on violation.

On August 14 the team found a rifle in a hollow tree near the Beshennaya stream. The owner was not identified and the rifle was confiscated. On the same day the team detained 6 drunken men in a cross-country vehicle 16 km far from Lermontovka village in the flood-lands of the Ulitka River in “Alchan” hunting lease with rifles during closed hunting season. The blind drunk men were shooting at the vehicle to check the strength of the armor. Four rifles were confiscated. Physical strength had to be used for confiscation. The team drew up reports on violation.

On August 28 during a raid 11 km far from Lermontovka village the team detained a man in a car with red deer meat. The deer meat was packed in six bags; the head, internal organs and tail were also in a bag. The man had neither hunting permit, nor rifle. The team concluded a report on administrative violation, confiscated the poached meat (70-80 kg), which was later donated to an orphanage in Svetlogorye village. On the same day the team detained two men 28 km far from Lermontovka village in “Alchan” hunting lease with rifles during closed hunting season. The rifles and cartridges were confiscated. The team drew up reports on violation.

On August 29 the team detained three men in “Alchan” hunting lease in a winter cabin on the man-made salt lick 32 km far from © Phoenix Fund Lermontovka village. The men were in the The rangers are setting warning signs in Taezhny hunting lease with rifles during closed hunting wildlife refuge season. On the place of poaching the rangers found skin, internal organs, and head of the red deer. Three rifles and cartridges were confiscated. The rangers drew up reports on violations.

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On September 03 during a raid near Limonniki village the team detained two men in a hunting lease of Krasnoarmeisky district with rifles during closed hunting season. The report on violation was drown up, the rifles were confiscated.

On September 17 the director of Verkhne- perevalninsky forestry informed that cross- country vehicles of auto-club “Shatoon” entered Verkhnebikinsky wildlife refuge in the North of Primorye. The joint team of wildlife managers, fishery and forestry inspectors and public ranger went to check the information and was in the raid for the period September 20 –27.

© Andrei Golobokov During the raid the team checked 16 vehicles Poached wild boar and one motorcycle and drew up 2 reports on violations of fire-fighting regulations, 11 reports on violations of hunting regulations, 4 reports on violations of fishing regulations, and 1 report on confiscation of narcotics.

During patrols along the Armu river the public rangers, together with fishing inspectors, confiscated 300 meters of fishing nets and drew up 10 reports on violations of fishing regulations.

In October – December the patrols were carried out in Pozharsky district and on hunting grounds for general use, Taezhny wildlife refuge, Sidatun hunting lease and contiguous areas in Krasnoarmeisky district. The public rangers and wildlife managers set up 5 warning signs along the border of Taezhny wildlife refuge. The team continued checking vehicles, logging settlements and winter houses. On October 01 a villager was detained for hunting with 5 traps without a permit near Boguslavets village i8n Krasnoarmeisky district. The violator paid a fine of 500 rubles ($18). Next day on the same place another man was detained with 3 traps and without a hunting permit. The rangers made him pay a fine of 500 rubles ($18). On October 09 two men with a dog were arrested for illegal hunting on badger near the Goncharovskie sopki stream. Each poacher paid a fine of 500 rubles ($18). On October 13 one more poacher with 2 traps was arrested near the Nazarovsky stream. On October 20 while patrolling the hunting grounds the rangers found a rifle hidden in a hollow tree. The owner of the rifle was not determined.

On October 20 a man was detained for illegal hunting without a permit near the Chetverty spring of the Bikin river in Pozharsky district. The public rangers drew up a report and confiscated illegal rifle with cartridges. On October 18-29 the public rangers, together with wildlife managers and “Eco-patrol” public team, conducted a joint patrol in the medium stream of the Bikin river to reveal violations on hunting grounds of indigenous people. The patrol resulted in 5 reports on violations of hunting

© Phoenix Fund regulations. Four arrested people had false Forged hunting licenses hunting licenses with forged hunting period. The licenses were seized and handed over to the Pozharsky wildlife management department for further investigation.

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On October 24 the public ranger detained a man for hunting without a permit in Krasnoarmeisky district. The team confiscated a rifle and a poached hazel hen. On October 30 a poacher with 3 poached squirrels was arrested for illegal hunting.

On November 01-13 the joint team conducted patrols in Krasnoarmeisky district, Northern Primorye. The patrols resulted in arrest of 4 men for illegal hunting. The rangers confiscated poached hazel hen and squirrel. Each violator paid a fine of 500 rubles ($18). On November 20 the public rangers arrested a man for violation of hunting regulations. He hid a sack with meat of poached roe deer (11 kg) near the winter © Phoenix Fund house on the Naumov stream. The violator Checking documents paid a fine of 1,000 rubles ($36).

On November 23 the rangers arrested a poacher in the forest near the Maloye Takhol river for hunting on a non-vested territory in Pozharsky district.On November 24 and December 16 the joint team found two illegal rifles in Pozharsky district. One rifle was found under a fallen tree near the Alchan river. The rifle’s owner was not found. Another one was found in a hollow tree. The rifle was made of parts of three different guns.

On December 10 the public rangers revealed 4 violations of hunting regulations in Krasnoarmeisky district. Four poachers had illegal rifles, a poached squirrel and a wild boar (60 kg). The rangers confiscated poached wildlife and made violators to pay a fine. On December 17 the public rangers arrested a man hunting at night using the vehicle light in the forest of Pozharsky district. The rifle and lighting device were confiscated. On December 28 the joint team stopped two men hunting on the snowmobile. The rangers confiscated illegal rifle and roe deer meat. Each poacher paid a fine of 1,000 rubles ($36).

Other activities

Besides anti-poaching activity, the public rangers continued working on educational project. The team visited local schools and gave lectures for schoolchildren and students on the following themes: “How we can save the Amur tiger – unique cat species”, “CITES and trade in rare and endangered wildlife”, “Problems of human/tiger co-existence”, “Prevention human / tiger conflict situations”, “Prevention and elimination of poaching” and “Revealing and blocking illegal wildlife trade channels”. At the meetings with children the team rangers showed video films and photos made during patrols. Moreover, the rangers cooperated with local NGOs, such as © Phoenix Fund “Flowerspring”, “Ship” Children’s ecological TV Public ranger works with children during ecological Company, provided local TV hot materials from class 10 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 anti-poaching raids and were broadcasted by radio.

On July 24 the team leader was on “Solyonaya Pad” lake to help organize children’s ecological summer camp, which was carried out together with “Pervotsvet” NGO during the period July 25 – August 08, 2004. During that period the children listened to the lectures “Human behavior in tiger habitat”, “Endangered animals of the region”, “Nature reserves of Primorsky krai” and many more, and actively participated in hikes in the forest to learn practical skills of making a fire, orienting in the forest etc. The children also took part in actual patrols of police and fishery inspection. The eco-camp received a good coverage in local and regional press and was shown on TV.

On August 10 the team took part in a meeting devoted to conservation of relic forests of the Bikin River. The meeting attracted eminent scientists and environmental activists. During this meeting the team offered to collect signatures of all people that are not indifferent to this problem and send an appeal to President Putin. Such action was carried out on September 18 during the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the district.

For the period September 06 – 17 the team participated in organizing Tiger Day Festival in Pozharsky district. The Festival was celebrated on September 18 in Luchegorsk city.

In December the public rangers gave 7 lectures (12 hours) at local schools and special educational institutions on the following themes: “ Living in neighborhood of tiger”, “Prevention of conflict tiger cases”, “Elimination of and fighting with poaching”, “ Fighting with smuggling”. During the meetings with children the public ranger showed video films demonstrating their work in the field.

III. Interregional team of Inspection Tiger

Funded by STF, the Interregional team of Inspection Tiger has been co-ordinating the environmental law enforcement activities of all field teams of Inspection Tiger, establishing relationship with other environmental law enforcement agencies, assisting in solving conflict tiger cases.

Every day the telephone rings non-stop in the headquarters’ office and four team members plunge into solution of ecological violations. Most often they have to deal with problems that rangers of other anti-poaching teams face in

© Inspection Tiger the field. For example, in the first quarter of Interregional team is thinking over how to handle the 2004 the Interregional team assisted to the conflict case Special Emergency Response team to solve conflict tiger cases. In Russia the removal of a tiger from the wild is allowed only in exceptional cases and only upon receipt of special permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MPR Russia). Thus, the headquarters has to send a request to the MPR Russia four times in order to get a permission to catch or release a “conflict” tiger into the wild.

Besides, the Interregional team played an important role in forwarding gathered information on environmental violations in order to initiate criminal proceedings and punish violators. It is often impossible to prove violation and punish participants in illegal trade or poaching because of inadequacy of the law. Besides, punishments for violating environmental protection laws are

11 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 extremely ineffective. They are inadequate to fight poaching and the fines associated with infractions are extremely low.

The most part of its activity the Interregional team spends to prove environmental law violations and to bring violators to justice. For example, thanks to efficient work and cooperation with other NGOs and agencies, in January 2004 the team managed to bring a tiger poacher to justice. It was achievement of the team members when the poacher was sentenced to pay a fine of 130,000 roubles ($4,500) after the Spassk district court found © Inspection Tiger Professional training for Inspection Tiger teams him guilty of killing the tigress. The team rangers worked closely with police officers on this case and helped gather evidence against the poacher and assisted in legal proceedings. As it was reported earlier, that tigress had had two cubs. Unfortunately, one orphaned tiger cub was found dead. Another one was seen walking near Vasilkovka village where the tigress had been killed. The Interregional team played an important role in organizing feeding for the cub. The team found a local villager who was taking care of the cub, providing food and supporting it through the winter.

Besides, during the reported period the Interregional team carried out regular trainings for government and public law enforcement officers. In March the headquarters, together with Vladimir Schetinin, law enforcement consultant, organized trainings for Inspection Tiger teams in the field. After the lectures, the rangers had a three-day training on how to conduct patrols and connect with the help of wireless radio stations. For the reported period the radio operator of the Interregional team went on the air 900 times to communicate with the other teams equipped with short-wave radio stations. Communication sessions were at 9 a.m. every working day and at 3 p.m. and 7 © Inspection Tiger p.m. during weekend if a team was in the field. Interregional team ranger tells children about Amur tiger, Central Children’s library in Vladivostok In January and July the team members, together with representatives of nature reserves and NGOs and scientists, participated in meetings devoted to preparation and carrying out simultaneous survey of Amur tiger in winter 2004-2005. Since 2004 Inspection Tiger has been coordinating implementation of the project entitled “Interregional monitoring of environmental law violations”. Besides, the headquarters regularly renewed the digital database on violators in order to reveal recidivists and share information among other law enforcement agencies.

In April the team members, lawyer-consultant and representatives of local mass media conducted patrol in South-western Primorye (Khasan, Nadezhdinsky, Shkotovsky, Ussuriisky districts) in order to get the whole situation of the region. Few violations of hunting regulations were revealed. In July the Interregional team took part in checking activity of Izmailikhinsky forestry. As a result, a number of violations were documented. In 2004 the Interregional team made contacts with local veterinary stations that help conduct necessary clinical analyses and participate in rehabilitation of animals. The headquarters of Inspection Tiger organized 68 radio

12 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 broadcasts and 67 TV appearances, published 100 articles in newspapers and magazines, 78 articles in the Internet, and conducted 12 lectures and excursions at educational institutions.

IV. Trainings on law enforcement legislation

Training courses on law enforcement legislation are designed by Vladimir Schetinin, former commander of Inspection Tiger, to enhance the practical and knowledge based skills of rangers. The trainings took place on a regular basis in the office of Inspection Tiger. The courses combined lectures and practical exercises in the field. The lectures included the following themes: - Law enforcement measures to effectively combat nature crime; - Handing over materials on ecological violations with penal actions to the Department of Internal Affaires; - Methodology and organization of © Phoenix Fund poachers and illegal traders; Vladimir Schetinin (left) manages practical exercises in the - Links between the illegal trade and field poaching

Within the framework of the project for the period January 01 – December 31, 2004 Mr. Schetinin was giving lectures-consultations for the law enforcement officers providing them with legal documentation and materials to solve arising issues during law enforcement activities.

Apart from giving legal consultations, from December 26, 2003 to March 20, 2004 Vladimir Schetinin participated in feeding of an orphaned tiger cub. At the beginning of the feeding the tiger cub was extremely emaciated. Thanks to continuous efforts of a local farmer and Vladimir Schetinin, the young predator regained strength and health. In arch the cub started hunting on its own and managed to kill a roe deer and several hares.

In June Vladimir Schetinin prepared and forwarded procedural forms to the Primorsky Committee on Natural Resources and Ecology for further use by the state law enforcement officers. The consultant thinks that every officer has to have a detailed set of laws and comments on the desktop of his computer.

From July 01 to September 30 Vladimir Schetinin continued giving consultations on environmental legislation to Inspection Tiger rangers and law enforcement officers.

In March 2004 the President Vladimir Putin announced a policy reform in the Russian Federation. Since that time the restructuring of the Russian government has begun. The reform, that affect the entire government, including the former Ministry of Atomic Energy, the nuclear supervisory agency, and the military, as well as the relations between the federal government and the regions, have not yet been completed. The Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Oversight was formed by presidential decree on 20 May 2004. In connection with this reform the Inspection Tiger status must change. In this case, Sergei Zubtsov, the head of Inspection Tiger, had to go to Moscow and submit documentation to the Ministry of Natural Resources in order to persuade that Inspection Tiger activities would be more effective if it was included in the new Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Control. In connection with Zubtsov’s visit to Moscow, Vladimir Schetinin prepared a set of documents to facilitate solving problem with the new Inspection Tiger status.

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Besides, the CITES team rangers asked Vladimir Schetinin to gave consultations on control in sphere of trade in CITES objects. Mr. Schetinin gave his comments on articles #27.8, 27.10 and 27.14 of Administrative Code and advised how to conduct inspection in the terms of law. During examination of pet shops there were several cases when the rangers had made mistakes in recording revealed administrative violations. After those cases, Vladimir Schetinin explained to the CITES team members their mistakes and instructed on rules of drawing reports.

In July-August Mr. Schetinin provided Inspection Tiger rangers with over 20 documents necessary for investigation of violations, such as dead tiger case, case of illegal capture of sea eagle and others. Vladimir Schetinin consulted environmental law enforcement officer operating in the north of Primorye. For the period September 20 – 23 in Amurskaya oblast there was training on protection of nature reserve where Mr. Schetinin gave lectures to state law enforcement officers. Vladimir Schetinin took initiative to provide 12 nature reserves with a set of procedural forms.

From July 01 to September 30 Vladimir Schetinin continued giving consultations on environmental legislation to Inspection Tiger rangers and law enforcement officers.

In 2004 several Russian laws were revoked and some new ones were enacted in the field of ecological regulation and control. In connection with it the procedure of drawing up reports on violation (protocol) changed. In September Vladimir Schetinin got acquainted with the changes and worked out a new form of the protocol, distributed it among the law enforcement agencies and gave several seminars to the Inspection Tiger rangers and law enforcement officers in October and November. The main purpose of such seminars was to demonstrate the possibilities for juridical-administrative regulation of legal relationship and the possibilities for

14 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 cooperation between state rangers and officials. Besides, Vladimir Schetinin continued consulting and providing legal documentation and other contiguous data to a number of officials, including the investigator of Primorsky Internal Affaires Department, the head of Inspection Tiger, interregional state law enforcement officers and others.

V. Environmental Education and Outreach

Environmental classes at schools

In January 01 – December 31, 2004 the Phoenix Fund has been continuing the educational project in the north of Primorye. Thanks to support from STF two experienced teachers were provided with education materials to carry out eco-classes in Pozharsky district. For the reported period over 1,820 schoolchildren attended ecological classes at local schools and eco-centers. The teachers gave lessons on the following themes:

© Phoenix Fund • “Ecology of our district”; Children are fitting separate pieces of puzzle • “Amur leopard is on the brink of extinction”; • “Amur tiger at home”; • “Forest fires”; • “Plant waste and litter” etc.

Besides, during the classes the children watched video films such as “How animals protect themselves”, “Animals in different seasons”, “Nature reserves of the Russian Federation” and others and saw “Amur leopard” slide presentation. Children from “Nezabudka” eco-studio prepared an ecological performance “How plants are on friendly terms with animals” and showed it for schoolchildren in Luchegorsk City. Children from “Thorn” eco-studio showed performances entitled “Lotus”, “Rain” and “Snow city”.

During the lesson the teachers told schoolchildren the ecological status of the district. There was discussion of many ecological problems including pollution. The children got knowledge on the plight of highly endangered wildlife and threats to its survival, such as forest fires, poaching, logging, and road construction.

On September 08 an experienced educator carried out an eco- class “Are you a friend of the forest?” at school No. 4 of Luchegorsk city. Russia still has a lot of virgin forests inhabited by huge variety of species, like Amur tiger, snow leopard and Asiatic black bear to deer and birds. There are over 100 various nature reserves of the sizes from 2 to 3.6 mln ha. Forest is lungs of the planet, the main source of oxygen in atmosphere. Nowadays the forests suffer from legal and illegal logging, which is often conducted by barbarian methods clear- cutting the forest and leaving 60-70% of logs rotting there. Thousands of hectares of the

© Phoenix Fund 15 Small “tiger cubs” tell about their life in taiga Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 forests burn down annually. In most cases man is the only reason of the fires. The schoolchildren listened to the lecture, asked questions and answered the questions of the quiz on human behavior in the forest. Most of them gave correct answers and we hope that they will use the knowledge gained during the class in their life.

On September 14 an eco-class was carried out at school No. 4 of Luchegorsk city. The theme of the class was “Nature reserves of Russia and Primorsky region”. Every day from 50 to 150 species disappear from our planet. The main reason for extinction is loss of habitat, which can also negatively influence the human kind. In order to conserve biodiversity of the Earth the nature reserves, specially protected territories, are being created. The schoolchildren were very interested to learn about protected areas of Primorsky region and Pozharsky district, rare and endangered animals. They also learned how human influence could damage the environment and put species on the brink of extinction.

On September 16 an eco-class was carried out at school No. 1 of Luchegorsk city. The schoolchildren were interested in the ecological situation in the district; they listened carefully to the information on air and water pollution and other environmental problems and tried to find the ways to solve the problems. On September 21 an eco-class on the same theme was carried out in another schoolchildren’s group at school No. 1 of Luchegorsk city.

The educator developed and presented for approval by Pozharsky district authorities an ecological program “Clean air”, which presupposes taking concrete conservation measures that will improve ecological situation in the district.

On September 29 the teacher conducted 3 lessons called “Kids and tiger cubs” for 5-6 year old children. In the beginning of the lesson the teacher painted children’s faces and soon a lot of “animals” appeared in the room. The children were delighted with their new

© Phoenix Fund appearance. After that the teacher told them The schoolchildren watch video at eco-center about tiger, showed how it hunts and walks in the forest, and explained reasons why tiger becomes angry. Then children played game “Tiger and prey”, watched short video about tiger and drew tiger portraits. The children made mosaic where animals were illustrated in burnt forest, discussed why tiger feels bad in such habitat and told what everyone should do to prevent forest fires. Besides, the children solved riddles about leopard and tiger. In total, 42 children attended the lesson.

On September 30 the teacher organized an excursion for 22 pupils of the 4th form (9-10 years old) at eco-center. The children listened to a lecture and watched a video on wildlife. Then they visited an exhibition of children’s paintings devoted to tiger conservation.

On October 07 the teacher carried out a lesson on the theme “Threats to Amur leopard survival in the wild” for the pupils of the 8th form. The teacher told about the dangers that Amur leopard population faced. The schoolchildren discussed how to fight against poaching, logging, and forest fires.

16 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

On October 14 – 15 the teacher gave a lesson on Amur tiger for 16 schoolchildren of the 5th form in Nagornoye village and 15 pupils of the 6th form in Novostroika village. At the beginning of the lesson children talked about tigers, reasons of their decreasing in numbers, causes of tiger attack on human. Besides, they discussed how everyone could help tigers to survive. Yury Trush, a leader of public environmental investigation team, participated in those lessons. He told about his meetings with a tiger, explained behavior rules in tiger habitat and showed tiger photos. On the same day in Nagornoye village the schoolchildren of the 10th form attended a lesson on ecological problems of Pozharsky district. During the © Phoenix Fund lesson the pupils discussed unauthorized The teacher gives a lesson on Amur tiger garbage dumps in the district. The same lesson was given for the schoolchildren of the 11th form in Novostroika village on November 17 and for the pupils of the 8th and 9th forms in Fedoseevka village on December 27.

On October 20 two lessons on the theme “Kids and tiger cubs” were carried out for 29 children in “Rodnichok” (“Fontanel”) kindergarten. The teacher told interesting things about tiger, its habits and asked children to compare a tiger with a cat. After that, the children played game “Tiger and prey”, drew tiger portrait. On the same day the teacher carried out a lesson on the theme “Ecological systems and their conservation” for the pupils of the 11th form in Nagornoye village. The schoolchildren watched a video film and discussed how the fortune of our planet depended on ecosystem welfare.

th © Phoenix Fund On October 28 the pupils of the 10 form The pupils with a poster “Don’t cut the fir-trees!” attended the lesson on environment pollution in Pozharsky district in Novostroika village school.

All nature-oriented classes in November were carried out at the Eco-center. 93 schoolchildren of Luchegorsk City secondary school No. 2 and 4 teachers took an active part in them. The classes were called “Home of the Amur tiger” and went according to the scenario “Kids and tigers”; children discussed conservation problems and answered questions, for example: What tiger species do you know, Why is it important to protect tigers, Why do tigers attack people sometimes, How can one help tigers to survive? etc.

Children played the “Tiger and its prey” game, drew tiger portraits, made mosaic (the poster “Forest fires” cut into pieces), and discussed how forest fires could damage the environment and hurt forest inhabitants and what they could do to prevent fires.

On November 11 the children of the 9th form listened a lesson on the theme “Animals of our forests”. During the lesson the pupils named almost all wild animals living in Primorsky krai. The teacher told about the features of rare animals. The same lesson was given to the pupils of the

17 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

7th form in Luchegorsk city on December 02 and 17. At the end of the lesson the schoolchildren watched a video film “Conflicts between animals within subspecies”.

On November 25 the teacher gave a lesson on Cat family for the children of the 6th form. The pupils watched an album with the photos illustrating anti-poaching activity of Inspection Tiger. The teacher told about Amur leopard and tiger population and showed colorful posters on these predators.

During the first half of December the teacher carried out 4 interactive classes called “Let’s save fir-trees!” Every lesson began from the “Spider web” game. The child holding the thread called his/her name and completed the sentence “I like…” and gave the thread to the next child. As a result, the teacher heard that the children loved rivers, lakes, beautiful flowers, animals tc. At the end of the game a “spider web” appeared and the teacher told that everything is interconnected and there is nothing redundant in the world. After that the children answered the question “Why do we need the forest?”. The children named the © Phoenix Fund following functions of the forest: the forest is a The lesson on Amur tiger home for animals, it is strengthening the river banks, the forest is a place where people have rest. After a short discussion the pupils made a conclusion that “the forest is our wealth” and “the forest is lungs of our planet”. The teacher told that the forest was reducing annually and showed a colorful diagram. Then the schoolchildren were divided into teams and asked the question: “Why did the forest reduce in size?” The teams gave their answers that had a lot of common thoughts. As a rule, the pupils named the following reasons: logging, fires, road (houses, factories) construction, flood, drought, hurricane, cutting Christmas trees, etc.

The teacher told about the tradition to celebrate the New Year holidays that had been established by Peter the Great in 1700. The czar had told the Russian people to decorate their houses with fir branches, but people started cutting whole fir-trees. The schoolchildren discussed how many years it would take to grow a new fir-tree. The teacher asked the next question: “Why does the forest need the fir-trees?” and the pupils answered that many animals lived on fir trees’ branches, birds hatched their nestlings, bears made dens under the fir-trees, birds ate seeds of fir-trees etc. Moreover, the schoolchildren remembered that the fir-trees clean the air. After the discussion, the children made a conclusion that © Phoenix Fund the fir-tree is more useful in the forest than in a The children are making toys of rubbish house. During the next stage of the lesson the children discussed how to stop cutting the Christmas trees. The pupils offered to draw the posters and leaflets in order to attract people’s attention to this problem. At the end of the lesson every child drew his/her own leaflet to protect the fir-trees.

18 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

On December 08 the pupils of the 6th form attended a lesson on the theme “Are you a friend of the forest?” in Luchegorsk city. The children told proper behavior in the forest and answered the questions about the causes of forest fires. The teacher showed two video films: “Characteristics of Primorsky forests” and “How to behave outdoors”.

On December 24 the teacher carried out a lesson on Amur tiger for the schoolchildren of the 8th from in Fedoseevka village. The pupils learnt about the features of the predator, its habitat, and prey. The pupils watched an album with the photos illustrating anti-poaching © Phoenix Fund Trainings at summer school activity of Inspection Tiger.

Besides the classes mentioned above, the teacher worked with the children of “Nezabudka” club and made toys of domestic waste. Then an artificial Christmas tree was decorated with such toys in the eco-center.

A specialist from the Regional Institute for Further Training of Educators visited Pozharsky district quarterly and had meetings with two teachers in order to share with experience and provide them with new education programs and materials.

Outdoor educational activities/training

Thanks to support from the Save the Tiger Fund and David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, from July 25 to August 08, 2004 the Phoenix Fund, together with “Flowerspring” NGO, organized a Young Inspectors’ Summer School for ecologically oriented children of Pozharsky district, Northern Primorye. The main purpose of the school was to educate the youth about the forest and its inhabitants, strengthen the knowledge on close relations between human and wildlife and involve children in conservation activities. Conservationists and schoolchildren participated in special trainings and gained experience in conservation activities.

During the Young Inspectors’ summer school © Phoenix Fund Handmade signs with information on lotus and the children took part in conservation activities children’s eco-patrol (background) on Solenaya Pad Lake. They carried out Lotus (foreground) research on fresh water and resources of the lake, conducted monitoring of lotus¼ and patrolling area around the lake. As it turned out, a lot of people were not aware about endangered and protected status of lotus and other plant and

¼ Lotus (Nelumbium Komarovii) is herbaceous plant that grows in lakes and ox-bow lakes. Its flowers are up to 20-25 cm in cross- section, bright pink. Lotus is used in Asiatic traditional medicine. It is listed in the Russian Red Book of rare and endangered species. Flowers of this plant are beautiful only when it grows in the lake. As soon as the plant is taken from its habitat, the flowers fade and fall. 19 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003 animal species and visited the lake to collect beautiful flowers. The schoolchildren constructed a special eco-check point in front of the lake and were on the duty there. They explained to every tourist and visitor how it was important to save the unique species and gave out a specially designed leaflet on the lotus and other endangered species of the region. Besides, young ecologists visited local villages and had a talk to people about conservation. The main motto of the summer camp was “Let’s save the miracle!” The children also set up warning signs along the lake with information on endangered and protected plant and animal species there. Every child showed interest in wildlife protection and expressed willingness to take an active part in conservation activities.

During the Young Inspectors’ summer school the participants attended trainings and lectures on hunting management, law enforcement, environmental legislation etc. Phoenix invited experienced instructors – Alexander Vrisch, Phoenix educational projects co-ordinator, Vladimir Schetinin, former Inspection Tiger commander, Yury Trusch, the head of the Public Inspectors team, Elena Golobokova, ecologist and representative of Krasnoarmeisky district education department, Margarita Tsvetkova, honored educator and journalist.

A specialist from the Phoenix Fund gave lessons and trainings on safety rules in cases of emergency that covered the following themes:

• Survival in extreme conditions; • Construction of a shelter; • Search of food in the forest; • First aid.

After the course “Survival in extreme nature conditions”, children passed an exam in a way of competition.

Beside, the children took part in art contests and carried out eco-patrols together with public rangers and police officers. As a result of patrolling, 2 violators were arrested. Once, the joint patrol resulted in an arrest of violators of fishing regulations. Violators appeared to be juveniles. They were fishing on the lake using nets. The patrol team confiscated and burnt nets and seized the poached fish.

During the last day of the Young Inspectors’ summer school the Phoenix Fund gathered all participants and awarded everyone with a certificate of ecologist’s friend. On August 08, 2004 late in the evening all of organizers and children gathered around farewell fire. Thanks to the Young Inspectors’ summer school we managed to acquire a lot of friends and young conservationists who concern about the state of environment and wildlife protection.

20 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

Tiger Day in Vladivostok

September 26, 2004 was the 5th anniversary of Tiger Day. In 2000 the Phoenix Fund carried out the Tiger Day Festival for the first time in Vladivostok with support from the Russian and international nature conservation NGOs. At that time it was a small procession of several dozens of enthusiasts that came in homemade costumes along the boardwalks of the streets to the central square and organized a joyful holiday for children. Since that year the holiday gained an official status, as the Amur tiger is pictured on the coats-of-arms of Vladivostok and Primorsky krai, as well as of many districts of Primorye, Russian Far East.

This year a series of public environmental events devoted to conservation of Amur tigers © Phoenix Fund th Advertising board on Tiger Day in Vladivostok and leopards started on the 18 of September in Luchegorsk city, Pozharsky district of Primorye, and began with a march on the main street of the city. Despite the rain, a lot of schoolchildren and adults came to celebrate the festival. There was a theatrical performance in the Culture Palace. Professional actors in animal costumes staged a play and involved children in various games, contests, dances etc. About 300 children took part in “stripy” discotheque. Besides entertainment, there was collection of signatures to save the Bikin river valley. As a result, 1,700 signatures were collected during that day. Tiger Day is an extraordinary and unique event for young people in Luchegorsk city and there is no any similar holiday devoted to tiger conservation there. Therefore, schoolchildren had prepared for Tiger Day in advance and anxiously waited for its celebration. After Luchegorsk city, the festival moved to other cities of the Russian Far East.

On September 25, Tiger Day was celebrated in Khabarovsky zoological gardens. On the 26th of September, the Tiger and Leopard Day celebration was held in Vladivostok and zoos all over Russia, CIS and Europe. During the month prior to the holiday a specially designed street advertising was set up in Vladivostok streets to draw attention of local people to the event. The advertising board (3 m x 6 m) was placed on the main street of the city. A colorful photography of four tigers made by Dr. Yudin was used to attract people’s attention. A light- reflecting banner (1.1 m x 10 m) with information on Tiger Day was stretched out © Phoenix Fund above the road. Besides, Phoenix designed Press conference on Tiger Day Festival and produced a lot of different awards for the winners in contests (special T-shirts, badges and medals with the Tiger Day logo, etc.) and purchased amusing tiger toys. Two days before Tiger Day there was a press conference in the office of “Deita.ru” news agency where representatives of holiday organizers met with journalists, told about holiday idea, goals and expected results.

21 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

Tiger Day Festival in Vladivostok was organized by Phoenix, WWF-RFE, Wildlife Conservation Society in conjunction with city administration and was supported by Save the Tiger Fund, 21st Century Tiger, AMUR, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and IFAW. Besides, this year we have managed to attract local businesses, news agencies, and other small sponsors that provided support and prizes. For example, a local travel agency gave children several tickets to health center/camp. The City administration showed more interest in the Tiger Day celebration and the newly elected mayor announced Grand © Phoenix Fund Prix for the best column of schoolchildren. As The head of carnival procession, a result of the contest, the schools with the Tiger Day in Vladivostok, September 26, 2004 best columns were awarded with music equipment and computers. We think that it is a very good result, as initially the Phoenix Fund planned to interest the local administration, travel agencies, businesses etc. in Tiger Day celebration and persuade them that thanks to such a holiday would attract more investors, tourists and customers. Both wildlife and people can benefit from this festival.

Tiger Day in Vladivostok started in the afternoon. Children and adults gathered and lined up into a festive column near the Youth Palace on a central street of the city – Okeansky Boulevard. A cannon shot above the city announced midday, and procession started down the streets to the central square near the shore of the Sea of Japan. The main character – Amur tiger was in the head of the procession. The other characters of the Ussuri taiga – Far Eastern leopard, fox, hare, and bear – marched in costumes together with it. Young drummers and youth teams in tiger cub costumes, schoolchildren and university students, adults – those who are not indifferent to the fate of Amur tiger – all marched in the column. There was a vehicle decorated with many balloons as a big tiger. This year about 10 thousand people came to the central square of Vladivostok to participate in unique ecological festival. At the end of the holiday the “Tiger” announced a contest for citizens and tourists and informed about a special award for a person who would bring the biggest bag with litter. As a result, a lot of children rushed to clean the square around the scene. It was a good idea as the © Phoenix Fund square became clean in 30 minutes. Over 180 children and adults took part in “the best tiger face painting” contest Many contests and quizzes were carried out for kids on five special grounds called “Mowgli”, “Forest Arbat”, “Flower meadow”, “Masks and costumes”. Art contests and shows lasted all day long. The winners received prizes for the best painting, the best song, the best tiger costume and many others. The festival attracted people’s attention to the most burning issues of nature conservation in the region, as well as gave them an opportunity to participate in resolving them. Local TV channels and newspapers featured the holiday celebration.

22 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

On October 02, 2004 annual Tiger Day Festival was carried out in Novopokrovka town, administrative center of Krasnoarmeisky district, in Northern Primorye, Russian Far East. The fete grew into a holiday for the whole district – over 130 schoolchildren from 6 schools of the district from 5 different settlements (Vostok, Novopokrovka, Lukianovka, Boguslavets, Vostretsovo) took an active part in the festival. Over 70 children, who could not attend the festival, sent their paintings, crafts made of wood, plasticine and other materials, as well as 22 compositions and 10 reports from remote villages (Goncharovka, Izmailikha, Melnichnoye, Roschino). All works were devoted to Amur tiger. Over 28 poems, 14 © Phoenix Fund “Tiger cubs” are dancing on the stage, Novopokrovka, songs and 8 dances about tigers were October 02, 2004 presented at the district contest. The winners of the contests were awarded with memorable prizes. The holiday in Novopokrovka started with a festive procession on the main street of the district center; then it was followed by the concerts and contests on the central square. A “striped” discotheque was organized for the youth in the evening; the main condition of the event was striped detail in clothes (earmarking the tiger tribe). There were contests and quizzes on tiger biology there; the best answers were awarded with prizes. The local press gave a good coverage of the festival.

We are happy that the holiday could attract attention of people that share an uneasy coexistence with large predators and help ensure safe future for both animals and men in taiga. There is a hope that Primorsky krai administration will pay attention to this wonderful, unique and beloved festival and will support it in nearest future.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This project is the result of joint efforts of many people and organizations. Thanks to support from the Save the Tiger Fund, we helped keep the Siberian tiger population stable in 2004, managed to increase the capacity of the anti-poaching teams to reduce poaching and enhance wildlife and habitat protection in Primorye, and increase awareness of the local communities about the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation through education and outreach activities. We show our appreciation to Ms. Tracy Frish and Mr.Brian Gratwicke for all patience and assistance and hope for our fruitful co-operation in future.

23 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

ATTACHMENT

Table 1. Summary of enforcement activities of the Khabarovsky team, January 01 – December 31, 2004*

Activity Total I. Recorded reports on ecological violations, including: 84

1.1. Hunting 62 1.2. Fishing 5 1.3.Forest resources 5 1.4. Protected areas (illegal entry in protected 6 territories) 1.5. Environment pollution 1 1.6. Other 5 2. Illegal weapons confiscated and handed 21 over to the police 3. Confiscated poaching devices: 20 a) Nets b) Boats 3 c) Snares 4 4. Wildlife confiscated: 4.1.Meat of Siberian stag 2 items 4.2. Meat of mink 1 item 4.3. Wild boar meat 3 items (160 kg) 4.4. Roe deer meat 2 items 4.5. Duck 1 item 4.6. Musk deer 1 item 4.7. Pheasant 1 item 4.8. Fish 30 items 5. Initiated criminal proceedings 2 items 6. Lectures for schoolchildren 2

* Results of joint patrols

24 Phoenix Final Report ______January 01 –December 31, 2003

Table 2. Summary of enforcement and outreach activities of two public environmental investigation teams, January – December 2004*

Activity Northern Southern Total team team I. Violations 82 73 155 documented: 1.1. Hunting 74 62 136 1.2. Fishing 5 19 24 1.3.Fforest resources 2 - 2 1.4. Protected areas - - - 1.5. Other 3 - 3 2. Illegal weapons 52 rifles (299 40 92 rifles (299 confiscated and handed cartridges) cartridges) over to the police 3. Confiscated poaching devices:

a) Traps - 30 30 b) Electric fishing rod - 1 1 c) Home-made poaching - 2 items 2 items devices for bear hunting d) Nets - 300 meters 300 meters

4. Wildlife confiscated : 4.1.Tiger skin 2 items - 2 items 4.2.Bear meat 56 kg - 56 kg 4.3. Wild boar meat 2 species - 2 species 4.4. Roe deer meat - 21 kg 21 kg

4.5. Siberian stag meat 80 kg 20 kg 100 kg 4.6. Otter skin - 1 item 1 item 4.7. Badger skin - 1 item 1 item 4.8. Muskrat skin - 3 items 3 items 4.9. Squirrel - 5 items 5 items 5. Initiated criminal 5 - 5 proceedings 6. Meetings with 20 - 20 schoolchildren 7. Mass media coverage 7.1. TV reports 12 - 12 7.2. Radio reports 2 - 2 7.3. Articles 6 - 6 8. Participation in round 4 3 7 tables, conferences, trainings

* Results of joint patrols