The message reads, in part:
“Your traditional forum in the capital city of the Primorye Territory brings together people of all ages, occupations and hobbies – all those who by the call of duty or by the call of their hearts contribute to the big and very important task of preserving our rich natural heritage, including the Amur tiger population, which just a short while ago was on the brink of extinction.
It is wonderful that tangible results have been achieved recently. First of all I would like to note significant and much needed activities of the Amur Tiger Centre, which turns five years old this year.
The Centre implements substantial research, educational and creative projects in close cooperation with specialists, biologists, local history and lore experts, and other defenders of wildlife.
Much is being done to develop national parks and nature reserves, and safe and comfortable conditions are being set up for the Amur tiger. Such fruitful work deserves sincere appreciation and support.”
Tiger Day is an environmental holiday marked in the capital city of the Primorye Territory on the last Sunday in September since 2000. The festival’s objective is to raise public awareness of wildlife preservation, including the Amur tiger.
According to the 2015 census, there are 450 tigers in the wild, with 90 percent of them inhabiting the forests of the Primorye and Khabarovsk territories.