Putin’s love for tigers saves them from extinction
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For all his limitless faults, Russia’s iron-fisted dictator Vladimir Putin has brought a sliver of love and kindness into the world by saving the Siberian tiger from the brink of extinction.
The population of the severely endangered Siberian tiger, once numbering as few as 40, has rebounded thanks to his personal intervention.
Since 2008, Mr Putin has taken the lead on conservation efforts, the centrepiece of which was a 150,000 square kilometre zone designed to protect the animals. Under his leadership, Russia has also introduced harsh criminal charges for poaching.
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On his 56th birthday, the leader’s gift to himself was an exceedingly rare Siberian cub, which he later housed in a zoo.
Tigers are tracked, borders are open and poachers jailed, thanks to Russian leader. Photo: Getty
Seemingly as a result of these efforts, the Siberian tiger population has risen by 10 per cent since the last census a decade ago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has reported.
There are now a maximum of 540 tigers, of which 100 are potentially cubs, the new census estimated.
“This success is due to the commitment of Russia’s political leadership and the tireless dedication of rangers and conservationists in very difficult conditions,” WWF Russian head Igor Chestin said in a statement.
Russia has also reportedly relaxed controls at its border with China to allow the animals to roam freely between the two countries.
“The key is strong political support. Where we have it, in countries like Russia and India, we are seeing tremendous results,” WWF tiger conservation head Mike Baltzer said in a statement.
Back in 2010, Mr Putin even convinced Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio to publicly support his conservation program.
Perhaps cats just get him. Ukraine certainly doesn’t.