Advanced monitoring technology aids conservation efforts in the region
Category: Local News
In a stunning display of wildlife rebirth, infrared cameras in Northeast China’s Tiger and Leopard National Park captured a rare family scene in November 2025: a wild Siberian tiger with her five cubs. This remarkable event marks the first documented case of wild tiger quintuplets in China, underscoring the success of conservation efforts in the region.
The captured footage is made possible by an intelligent, integrated space–air–ground monitoring system that provides real-time wildlife tracking. According to Chen Xiaocai, an official with the park administration, this sophisticated system consists of multiple layers that serve distinct purposes. Satellites oversee forests, water, and other natural resources, drones assist ground patrols and wildlife tracking, and infrared cameras monitor wildlife movements, human activities, and environmental conditions.
More than 20,000 infrared cameras have been strategically placed across an area exceeding 10,000 square kilometers, covering core habitats of the park’s tigers and leopards. These cameras have recorded over 30,000 tiger detections and more than 40,000 leopard detections, boasting a recognition accuracy exceeding 90%. This impressive data collection is not just about counting animals but also involves identifying individual creatures.
Sun Pengyu, an expert from Jishi Media, a Changchun-based cultural and technological company involved in developing the monitoring system, explained how artificial intelligence plays a key role in this process. “Each tiger and leopard has unique markings on its abdomen and shoulder areas, much like human fingerprints,” he said. The system selects key frames from the footage and extracts distinctive features to create an "ID" for each animal. This record includes the location of the first detection, estimated age, sex, and all previously captured images and footage.
This technological advancement has transformed wildlife monitoring from periodic manual data collection to a real-time, intelligent system powered by big data, according to Sun. The implications of such technology are vast, providing a clearer picture of wildlife populations and enhancing efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
Historically, the Siberian tiger population faced dire straits. Surveys conducted in the late 1990s estimated that only 12 to 16 wild Siberian tigers remained in China due to habitat degradation and human disturbances. Conservation measures, including hunting restrictions, the establishment of protected areas, and habitat restoration, laid the groundwork for recovery. The formal establishment of Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park in 2021 strengthened these efforts by consolidating conservation initiatives across a large forested area under a national park framework.
Since 2017, the park's wild Siberian tiger population has surged from 27 to 72, and the wild Amur leopard population has increased from 42 to 115. These figures are a direct reflection of the concerted conservation efforts and the effectiveness of the monitoring system.
In addition to domestic efforts, international cooperation has also played a role in conservation. China and Russia have engaged in collaborative conservation initiatives along their shared border. Chen noted that this cooperation sets a model for international collaboration in biodiversity conservation. The park shares tiger and leopard monitoring and research data with its Russian counterparts to build a joint database, employing common standards to identify individual animals. This partnership encompasses wildlife protection, law enforcement, animal rescue, and disease prevention and control.
On October 12, 2026, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park Dongning Science Popularization and Education Center in Dongning City, Heilongjiang Province, opened its doors to visitors. The center aims to educate the public about the sensory experiences of tigers and leopards through diverse interactive scenes, allowing visitors to gain an immersive insight into the lives of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards.
As visitors engage with the exhibits, they can appreciate the remarkable progress made in conserving these majestic creatures. The center serves as a reminder that conservation is not merely about protecting wildlife but also about fostering a connection between humans and nature.
The success of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park serves as a hopeful narrative in the broader story of wildlife conservation. With advanced technology and international cooperation, the prospects for the Siberian tiger and Amur leopard populations are brighter than ever. As these efforts continue, they protect individual species and contribute to the health of the entire ecosystem, showing that with commitment and innovation, recovery is possible.
As Chen Xiaocai aptly put it, “The establishment of this national park has been a turning point for the conservation of these species.” The future of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards hangs in the balance, but with such dedicated efforts, their survival seems increasingly assured.