Sergey V. Naidenko

Noninvasive individual identification of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) by molecular-genetic methods.

518 The procedure of noninvasive individual identifi cation of tigers by molecular genetic methods was developed within the framework of the Program of the Amur Tiger Research in the Russian Far East. Using this procedure, the number, sex, and relationships in a group of tigers in Ussuri Nature Reserve, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences was defined. The comparison of the results of isolation, amplifica tion, and analysis of nuclear DNA fragments from dif ferent samples (blood, hair, and feces) showed their significant similarity in the microsatellite fragment lengths. This indicates the possibility to use feces and hair collected in the Amur tiger habitats for noninva sive individual identification of these animals.

Genetic structure of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) population: Are tigers in Sikhote-Alin and southwest Primorye truly isolated?

We used molecular genetic analyses to noninvasively identify individual Amur tigers and define subpopulations of tigers in the Russian Far East. We identified 63 individuals after genotyping 256 feces, 7 hair and 11 blood samples collected within southern, central and northern Sikhote-Alin, as well as Southwest Primorye. Analysis of nuclear DNA at 9 microsatellite loci demonstrated greater genetic similarity between animals from southern and northern Sikhote-Alin (some 500 km apart) than between animals from Ussuriskii State Nature Reserve and Southwest Primorye (less than 10 km apart at their nearest point), suggesting that a true barrier exists preventing movements of tigers between Southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains.

Body mass dynamic in Eurasian lynxLynx lynx kittens during lactation

Body mass changes of Eurasian lynxLynx lynx Linnaeus, 1758 kittens during the first four months of their life were studied in 1989–1999 in captivity. Four hundred thirteen records of body mass from 63 lynx kittens were analysed. The body mass of lynx kittens up to four months of age increased as a linear function with age. Daily growth rate (in grams) was minimal when the kittens were switching from milk to solid food at the age 41–60 days and was maximal at the age 61–80 days. Body mass dynamic and daily growth rates of kittens depended on the husbandry conditions of adult animals (or probably on their subspecies) and litter size, but did not depend on the sex of the kittens. Specific spontaneous fights during kittens’ ontogenesis showed the trend to affect kittens’ body mass dynamic and daily growth rate on some stages of kittens’ development.

Hormonal response to a synthetic analog of adrenocorticotropic hormone in lynx pups (Lynx lynx L.)

341 The ACTH-challenge test is mainly used for evaluation of the animal physiological state (stress level) before the injection [1] or determination of metabolites of glucocorticoids in excretions during the development of noninvasive methods of hormonal monitoring [2]. Now this test is widely used in different animals. Introduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) results in a rapid increase in the concentration of glucocorticoids in the blood plasma of mammals. The metabolites of hormones released in blood are excreted from body in urea and excrements after a certain time period. Their determination in the excretions and detection of the peak corresponding to the release of the hormone into blood is the basis for validation of noninvasive methods of hormonal monitoring.

Chapter 24 – Rescue and Rehabilitation Centers and Reintroductions to the Wild

As human populations increase and overlap with snow leopards, conflicts will undoubtedly occur. In some cases, there will likely be the need to translocate individuals to supplement or restore lost or endangered populations. Therefore, capacity to capture, handle, manage, rehabilitate, and release snow leopards will be important to future management initiatives. A series of case studies represents efforts to restore wild populations or return captive felids to the wild. On the basis of these, we outline procedures and lessons learned that may be applicable in addressing future snow leopard management issues. NABU (German Nature Conservation Union) began working in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 and on Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve’s Project Snow Leopard in 1999. The anti-poaching team “Gruppa Bars” was established in 2001 to detain poachers and provide public outreach. In 2002, NABU opened the Snow Leopard Rehabilitation Center in Issyk-Kul District to care for (and release when possible) confiscated and injured snow leopards.