From July 15 to 23, 2025, a working meeting of the staff of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) with colleagues from the Northeast Forestry University (NEFU) was held in Harbin, China. The visit of the Russian specialists attracted a lot of attention - a special report about the work of the delegation was aired on the Chinese Central Television CNR (the story is available at the link).
The visit was devoted to discussing the current results and prospects for further research within the Joint Russian-Chinese Research Laboratory for the Conservation and Restoration of the Amur Tiger. During the meeting, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vyacheslav Rozhnov gave a lecture on the conservation and restoration of the Amur tiger in Russia, China and Kazakhstan, emphasizing the importance of using the experience of IEE RAS scientists and cross-border cooperation to protect this rare species
Particular attention during the visit was paid to the practical aspects of interaction between humans and predators. Anna Yachmennikova presented the document "HUMAN-TIGER CONFLICT SOLUTIONS" developed by Russian specialists, containing practical recommendations for preventing conflicts between tigers and people. The document, based on the best Russian practices and recommendations for people living in tiger habitats and global experience in effective solutions and management of human-wildlife conflicts, was agreed upon by Chinese colleagues and has already been recommended for use by the Chinese authorities. The following materials were used in preparing the document: "Rules of Conduct and Keeping Domestic Animals in Tiger Habitats" (Yu. Dunishenko, Russia); "Recommendations for Keeping a Neighborhood with Wild Animals Free of Conflict" (D. Matyukhina and E. Blidchenko, Land of the Leopard National Park); "Managing Tiger-human Conflicts Guide" (PANTHERA); "IUCN Guidelines on Conflict and Coexistence between Humans and Wildlife" (2024); research on the coexistence of humans and big cats (Cat News Special Issue, 2022). The document offers practical measures for local residents, regional and federal authorities aimed at reducing conflicts and their consequences.
IEE RAS specialists Jose Antonio Hernandez Blanco and Dmitry Alexandrov conducted a unique training course for their Chinese colleagues on the safe capture of large predators, based on 20 years of Russian research experience. This is especially relevant in the prompt resolution of situations involving the capture of a conflict tiger in or near a populated area. According to Chinese specialists, such cases have become more frequent in northeastern China over the past two years. These methods, as shown by the CNR television report, have aroused particular interest among Chinese specialists.
The visit also included a discussion of new joint projects – from studying tiger parasites to studying the sleep of these animals. A special honor for the Russian delegation was the awarding of the titles of honorary professors of the Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Sciences to Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.V. Rozhnov and Senior Researcher A.A. Yachmennikova.
The wide resonance that the work of Russian scientists in China has received clearly demonstrates the importance and demand for Russian experience in the field of preserving rare species of animals. This cooperation opens up new prospects for joint work to protect the Amur tiger - a unique representative of the world fauna.