Russian Crisis Response Team, 2002

In order to help Russian wildlife managers cope with the dangerous situation created when wild Siberian tigers and bears come into proximity with humans, WCS’s Field Veterinary Program (FVP) just completed a hands-on training workshop on safe immobilization and handling techniques in the Russian Far East.   In the remaining habitat of tigers in Russia, these big cats often come into small towns in search of prey.   When aversion training techniques failed to discourage this behavior, authorities were typically faced with a decision to destroy the animals.  WCS has been working to provide an alternative – safe immobilization and relocation of the tiger to more remote areas.

In September,  FVP’s veterinarians Drs. Kathy Quigley and William Karesh, along with Dr. Doug Armstrong, the head veterinarian from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, trained Russian game biologists and veterinarians in field immobilization techniques for safely anesthetizing and transporting tigers and bears.   The workshop included classroom lectures as well as days of hands-on experience with darting equipment, anesthetic agents, and monitoring techniques.   The “students”– professionals in their own field– excelled in their ability to quickly learn the procedures that will provide them with better options for protecting the wildlife in their charge.

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