The story of the Siberian tiger is one interwoven with the rise and fall of empires, the resilience of nature, and the power of international collaboration. In Tigers Between Empires, conservationist Jonathan C. Slaght chronicles the remarkable journey to save this magnificent creature from extinction, a story intimately tied to the dynamic relationship between Russia and China. This compelling narrative, published by Allen Lane (UK) and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (US), highlights a remarkable success story against a backdrop of challenging political and environmental shifts.
A Tiger on the Brink
The Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger – the only tiger species to thrive in snowy climates and share its habitat with bears – once roamed vast stretches of northeastern Asia. Estimates suggest populations swelled to over 3,000. However, by the mid-20th century, this iconic animal faced severe threats from hunting, habitat loss due to logging, and the poaching of their prey. Interestingly, the fortunes of the tiger often reflect broader political trends. The Soviet Union made history in 1947 by becoming the first nation to legally protect tigers, a period marked by a temporary resurgence in their numbers.
However, the collapse of the Soviet Union brought economic hardship to Russia’s far eastern regions. This led many residents to return to trapping to survive, dramatically impacting tiger populations. By the late 20th century, the tigers were critically endangered on both sides of the border with their numbers drastically reduced.
An American’s Commitment and a Russian Landscape
Into this precarious situation stepped Dale Miquelle, an American conservationist tasked with managing the Siberian Tiger Project. In 1992, Miquelle arrived in Primorye, a remote region of Russia bordering the Sea of Japan, a land of pristine forests and thriving ecosystems. Slaght, a seasoned field biologist himself, expertly guides readers through this unique landscape, his descriptions brimming with vivid detail and emotional resonance. Readers are transported to where Korean pine and oak forests meet the ocean, and where tigers roam the beaches.
The Human Side of Conservation
Tigers Between Empires isn’t just about the tigers; it’s about the people dedicated to their survival. Slaght captures the passion and dedication of the project team, a shifting group of Americans and Russians willing to spend weeks tracking tigers across snowy terrain. The book introduces a cast of memorable individual animals, like proud Olga, brave Severina, and orphaned Zolushka, alongside the researchers who tirelessly work to safeguard them.
A key insight from the book is the importance of shifting perceptions. Slaght recounts a poignant moment where a farmer chose not to shoot Olga after hearing stories about her from Miquelle. This underscored a critical realization: coexistence was possible when people began to view tigers as individuals, not just as threats.
Collaboration Across Borders
At a time marked by rising nationalism, Tigers Between Empires offers a powerful reminder of the achievements possible through international collaboration. For three decades, Americans and Russians worked side-by-side, united by a common purpose. Their dedication and innovative techniques, coupled with limited prior knowledge about Amur tigers, have given this magnificent animal another chance at survival.
A Legacy of Hope
In 2022, Dale Miquelle departed Russia after 30 years of dedicated work, as foreign-run non-governmental organizations were no longer permitted in the country. Despite the departure, his work yielded remarkable results: the area of Amur tiger habitat under protection now spans six times the size it did upon his arrival. There are currently around 500 Amur tigers in the wild—double the population recorded in the mid-20th century. While ongoing challenges remain and stability cannot be taken for granted, the progress achieved represents a significant victory and a potent symbol of hope for a world facing complex environmental and political landscapes.
The success of the Siberian Tiger Project stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when cultures and nations unite to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species
