Model Hunting Reserve “ Orlinoe”

Today, my group visited the Model hunting reserve “ Orlinoe ” which took about 2 hours to get there. This reserve covers an area of 10,000 ha. It was fascinating to learn about how the reserve staffs and WWF-Russia collaborate to create the biological complex in increasing the number of wild ungulates which are main prey for tiger. The Orlinoe director, Sergey Volbly, was describing how the system works.

                                ( Feeding station for wild boars )

                                  ( Grains and minerals are covered by dry grass )

                                          ( Feeding stations for ungulates )

He showed us the feeding station for wild boars and deer species. This feeding station is really important for the ungulates when there is heavy snow in winter time and they can’t find enough food. So they will come to the man-made food source which contains nutrition, grains and covered by local grass. There is also mineral ground to provide necessary mineral substances for animals during winter time. How do they do this? They first start finding the wet soil area either under the tree or nearby the river bank. The reserve staffs dig out the soil and put a sac of salt for example in the soil. This is because the area is wet so it will become salty after the salt is put in. Animals attend this mineral ground in winter time because they really need this during this period. These two methods are very successful as they can see the ungulate number is increasing. They also help animals to concentrate in the same area which is to prevent them from being poached and also encourage the animals not to migrate far away. So tigers will still have abundant prey and increase its population.

                                                ( Mineral ground )

He also talked about hunting system that hunters need to apply for hunting license first and then the permission will be given to the rangers who will accompany the hunters. This is to prevent illegal or over hunting. Hunting is really under their control as the maximum number of animals that can be hunt is not more than 100 annually.

                                            ( Resting time for delegates )

After a tasty lunch, the model hunting staffs took us to a place that there is an evidence of a prey eaten by Amur tiger. It was 6km for a round trip and it was pretty hilly. During the trip, he explained how the camera traps work and showed us some sample pictures from the cameras. Everybody was so curious and excited to see where that story about Amur tiger took place. When we got to the place, we saw the feather, skin and legs of the wild boar. The staffs also pointed out the tiger scratch on the tree while it was attacking the wild boar. Poor boar!!!

                                           ( Amur tiger scratch on a tree )

                             (  left boar skin and legs, eaten by Amur tiger )

Today was the last day of our field trips and I think I have absorbed many new and significant information plus unforgettable experiences on Amur tiger and leopard conservation program in the Russian Far East. This will be a valuable guide for me to start thinking how to begin and accomplish the Indochinese tiger conservation in Laos.

The land of Leopard and Amur Tiger

It was 7:10 am that I woke up, looking out of the windows seemed like 5am. My brain told myself to get up but my mind desired for more sleep. The mind was not the winner. So, I got in the dining hall at 7:45 for the early breakfast. After finishing all delicious meals, delegates were divided to two groups to visit two different places.

 My group was the combination of delegates from China, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos and our kind Russia. We were heading to the “Kedrovaya Pad” state nature reserve, land of two magnificent natural creatures, leopard and Amur tiger. It took about two hours to get to the WWF visitors’ centre- The Leopard Land. Starting with the map introduction of where we are at. Again, we were split into two small groups which we all had to watch a 10-minute-video and walk along the ecological trial but at different time. 

Just looking at the forest, I couldn’t find this kind of typical forest structure in my home country. On the ecological trial, there are many new things to learn from. One of the reserve staffs was guiding us to this exciting trial. He pointed out each typical and vulnerable plant, explained its importance and why it’s threatened.

It was very interesting to learn about Korean pine or cedar that it’s in the Federal Red list and prohibited for logging. This type of tree provides nuts which are important food source for the ungulates, leopard and Amur tiger prey species. Unfortunately, it takes up to 60 or 70 years to grow and be able to produce nuts. In the past, people chopped down this tree just for furnished purposes and the Korean pine was almost disappeared. Today, local people and the reserve staffs have restored some parts of the Korean pine trees. He told us to look at a group of this tree which is about 50 years old and they are not big or tall at all. I wish the Korean pine would recovery itself and fulfill the missing part of the ecosystem.

Checking out the leopard trial about 200 meters from road, I could imagine how human disturbances affect their lives. Andrey Fereferov, the WWF Programme Coordinator, told us a sorrowful story of losing a valuable female Amur tiger in the car accident. It’s really needed to have corridors for the leopard and Amur tiger to cross to the other side of the road safely. So, he talked about a really great project that they are planning to construct a 500-meter-tunnel for vehicles to travel in so leopard or Amur tigers can move from place to place without any disturbances. Before returning to the hotel, we got to the rangers to check out the monitoring trial for scientists or reserve staffs conducting surveys and collecting data. Nowhere else I would like to be at that moment.

From today stories, I really admire these people who dedicate time and knowledge to save the two charismatic creatures and I will definitely bring this valuable experiences home.

Gala opening-Nov 19th

The third day at Sedanka hotel had arrived with the foggy morning greeting. It was 8 am local time that we had our breakfast before being driven to the Vladivostok State University of Economy and Service for our official start of the forum. 

I was amazed by the tiger paintings. They are just so artistic and send out meaningful message of Amur tiger. What impressed me the most is the enthusiasm of local people toward the tiger conservation. They are very curious about the delegates from all tiger range nations and of course, taking pictures with us like they met movie stars or something. :)

Listening to the speeches from high ranking officials realized me how significant this Youth Tiger Conservation Forum as well as the International Forum on Tiger Conservation of the Heads of Government in St. Petersburg is to the stability of wild tiger population globally.

     Who ever thought that I would become one of the Lao Youth Tiger ambassadors participating in this historical moment to mark the “Tiger Trial” in Vladivostok with the special manufactured stones with embedded tiger prints and name of all tiger range nations especially our kindest host, Russia. I believe that what we have done today will mean a lot to increase public awareness to save wild tigers together.

          After the huge ceremony of the tiger trial, we were moved back to our lovely forum venue. We first were given lecture by Igor Chestin, WWF Russia’s Chief Executive Officer to ensure we really understand the status of tigers today and then we learned about the Amur tiger conservation program from Dr. Yury Darman, the Head of WWF Russia Amur branch. After the great two lectures, we started the delegates’ presentation of tiger situation in each country. For this, it’s not only sharing what’s going on in each country’s tiger habitat but also showing how much effort and love the youth delegates dedicate to the tiger conservation. 

Getting to know Vladivostok and the cool delegates-November 18th

      First morning in Vladivostok, alarm ringing, it was 5am in my country while my friends and family were still sleeping but I had to wake up and got ready for my first  Russian breakfast. Being curious what would be served. It turned out to be Russian porridge, hams, cheese and bread (:So European:). After the great breakfast, we had to prepare for our presentation for the Gala Opening ceremony. Afternoon came , all delegates were excited because it was time to go see Vladivostok city. We received interesting historic information and got chance to visit the highest point of Vladivostok. No where else is unique like Vladivostok. Checking out at the Russian souvenir store, tons of cute Russian dolls were waiting to amaze us. I bought my self one there are like four more sisters inside her, so interesting.:)

                            ( Left: Le Minh Quoc, Middle: Sousata Chemcheng, Right: me)

                                  ( Lunch before the guided tour to Vladivostok city )

                     

        5pm, time to return back to the hotel for dinner and getting to know each delegate. After knowing where everybody is from and what all delegates like to do, we had a surprising activity which was to present our country with some provided photos. Everybody did great and there were some kinds of entertainment too. So, that was our introductory day of the Youth Tiger summit.:)

                                              (Country Presentation)

First Day in Vladivostok-November 17th

Russians say 'warm', Laotians say ' freezing'!

       After more than 12 hours of travelling ( Vientiane-Hanoi, Hanoi-Seoul, Seoul- Vladivostok), we finally made it to our destination, here in Vladivostok " The land of Amur Tiger". From Seoul to Vladivostok, other delegates from Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia were flying with us too. At the first second I walked out from the airplane, I was welcome  by the refreshing cold air of Vladivostok. 

     I am very impressed how hospitable and helpful the forum organizers are including the receptionist at the hotel. Even though she doesn't speak English but she could kind of guess what I wanted her to help with by using body language and it worked out really well.  At dinner, we were welcome by Russian meal which was typical and yummy. So, the first day is gone but 9 remaining days to put all energy and effort for the Youth Tiger Conservation Forum.:)