WWF Urges Russia to Stop Illegal Logging in Tiger Territory

In a report released today, the wildlife advocacy group WWF  detailed the devastating effect illegal logging in Russia's far east region have had on the critically endangered Siberian tiger as well as otherwise isolated villages.

Between 2004 and 2011, China reported importing two to four times as much timber as is legally permitted. A bulk of the illegal timber is routed to China, where it is made into flooring and furniture, which is then often exported to the U.S., Japan and Europe.

"Global companies that are importing Chinese furniture and flooring made from Far Eastern hardwoods face major risks of violating legislation such as U.S. Lacey Act, EU Timber Regulations and Japanese Green Purchasing Policy," the report warns.

The logging, which is focused on Mongolian oak, Manchurian ash, Japanese elm, Amur linden and Manchurian linden, requires roads and camps to be built in otherwise remote areas, disturbing the Udege indigenous people and the tigers that call the region home.

The WWF calls for the federal and provincial governments to have forest rangers, law enforcement officials, local citizens and NGO representatives work together to patrol high-risk areas. The group also asks that the government close the intermediate logging loophole, which allows loggers access to protected land if they claim to be removing dead or diseased trees.

The full report is available to view here.