In recent years, as ecological protection efforts in Heilongjiang Province have gradually intensified and the ecological environment has comprehensively improved, the activities of wild manchurian tigers have become more frequent. To reduce the occurrence of human-tiger conflicts and the harm they bring, and to effectively protect the lives and property of forest residents, the Heilongjiang Provincial Forestry and Grassland Administration issues this announcement on the scientific prevention and response strategies for human-tiger conflicts:
I. Basic Living Habits of Manchurian Tigers
The body length of adult male manchurian tigers can reach 220cm, with an average weight of 165-180kg. Manchurian tigers mainly reproduce in summer, with newborn cubs staying in caves near cliffs for the first 1 to 2 months, and usually living with their mothers until they are 19 months old. Manchurian tigers prefer to live in mixed forests formed by Korean pine and Mongolian oak, as well as regions with relatively gentle mountain slopes, but they generally show relatively low selectivity for various habitats and can appear in any habitat. Manchurian tigers mainly prey on large ungulates such as wild boars and red deer. The lack of natural prey can cause large cats to enter human settlements to prey on livestock as food, leading to conflicts with humans. Manchurian tigers are most active during dawn and dusk, with relatively less activity during the day.
Compared with other large cats, manchurian tigers can tolerate coexistence with humans and are not very aggressive. When close to humans, manchurian tigers often avoid direct encounters and quickly leave, rarely showing proactive aggression. However, they can become highly aggressive when sick, injured, hunting, or protecting their cubs. Forest personnel should pay special attention to avoiding sick or injured tigers, cubs, and hunting sites. The most common human-tiger conflicts occur when pets or livestock are attacked in residential areas or pastures. Poaching and traffic conflicts are also major types of conflicts.
II. Scientific Prevention of Human-Tiger Conflicts
1. In areas where manchurian tigers frequently appear, warning signs should be erected at important intersections to remind people entering the mountains to be vigilant and avoid direct encounters with tigers.
2. Avoid entering the mountains unless necessary. When entering the mountains, personnel should try to leave late and return early, avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, carry emergency tools such as flare signals and fireworks, and avoid wearing brightly colored clothing.
3. Avoid entering the forest alone as much as possible. When conducting activities in the forest, make sounds by talking or knocking on trees to give early warnings and avoid sudden encounters with tigers.
4. Avoid crouching for a long time in the forest. When engaged in bending activities such as picking vegetables, wear a fake mask on the back of your head, as tigers are less likely to attack humans from the front.
5. Avoid free-range livestock in the forest as much as possible. In the evening, livestock should be brought back from the mountains to avoid losses caused by tigers preying on them.
6. It is best not to bring dogs into the mountains. In most cases, dogs not only fail to provide protection but can also easily attract tiger attacks.
7. If you find cubs, sick or injured tigers, or the remains of prey hunted by tigers, do not approach them. Immediately move away and report to the local relevant department.
III. Correct Responses to Human-Tiger Conflicts
1. In any situation, remain calm, do not panic, do not turn your back on the tiger, and do not run quickly. These behaviors can stimulate the tiger’s desire to attack.
2. If you encounter a tiger face-to-face but it does not directly attack, instead staring at you or growling as a warning, do not turn and run. Face the tiger, slowly retreat, and quickly leave after it is out of sight.
3. If a tiger tries to approach and attack a human, enter a house, car, or climb a tree to a height that the tiger cannot reach to avoid harm if conditions permit. While ensuring your own safety, you can use fire, loud speech, metal knocking to create noise, or flare signals or fireworks to drive it away.
4. If the tiger stops attacking immediately after attacking a person and the attacked person has not lost consciousness, it is recommended to lie down and remain still. Futile resistance can provoke it and worsen the situation.
5. If the tiger continues to attack after knocking a person down, prioritize protecting the neck and use any available tools to fight back.
6. After a conflict with a tiger, report to the relevant department immediately.