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Siberian Tiger Species Survival Plan: A Strategy For Survival, U. S. Seal, T. F. Foose

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The wild population of Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) is estimated at about 300 in six separate populations. Since an effective population size of at least 500 is necessary for long-term survival and evolution, and since the wild populations are not going to be able to expand in their natural habitat, it is evident that a captive breeding program is necessary for sustained preservation of this form. There are 1000 living Siberian tigers in zoos; only three outside of Russia are wild-born. About 250 are in North American zoos. Although about 68 wild-caught animals have been brought into zoos, six …