Preventative measures unveiled after wild tiger injures Northeast China villager

HARBIN -- A package of preventative measures has been introduced after a wild tiger, which was spotted in a village in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, injured a resident on Monday, according to an online statement issued by local authorities.

Local television reported on Monday evening that the villager was in stable condition, with a fracture in the left hand and no risk of amputation.

The provincial forestry and grassland administration has called for all-out efforts to address human-tiger interactions and ensure safety, with measures including educating the public on safety precautions, organizing emergency evacuation drills, and inviting experts to conduct safety training sessions.

As the ecological environment continues to improve, sightings of Siberian tigers have increased across the province, as stated by the provincial administration at an emergency conference held late on Monday.

According to the forestry and grassland administration of Boli county, Qitaihe city, the tiger was first spotted at around 6 am in Changtai village. Experts from the administration told local television that they were continuing to track the tiger, which will not be killed unless it poses an immediate threat to human safety.

County administration also reported that the tiger charged at another villager, but was stopped by a gate. Boli county, which is not a primary habitat for the tiger population in Heilongjiang, has urged heightened vigilance and stronger risk prevention measures following this incident.

Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers, are primarily found in Russia's Far East and Northeast China. As one of the world's most endangered species and a flagship species of the forest ecosystem, only 12 to 16 wild Siberian tigers were believed to have been living in China in 1998.

China officially established the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park in 2021. The park spanning Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces now provides a sanctuary for around 70 wild Siberian tigers -- reflecting a significant conservation milestone.

Markus Radday, a tiger program officer of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), told Xinhua in an interview in July during an event marking the 14th International Tiger Day that China had made remarkable strides in tiger conservation over the past 12 years. He emphasized that local communities can play a crucial role in managing human-tiger interactions by implementing early warning systems, boosting populations of tiger prey and raising awareness concerning tiger behavior.