In 1992, we began a research program on the ecology of endangered Amur (or
Siberian) tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) to develop a database from which
conservation plans could be developed. Radiotelemetry was a necessary parr
of our program because tigers are cryptic, secretive, and difficult to obs
erve; hence, we developed techniques to capture them, equip them with radio
collars, and collect tissue and blood samples. We captured 19 tigers 23 tim
es in 12,287 trap nights during 1992-1998, using Aldrich foot snares. Most
(65%, n=23) tigers were caught at mark trees, but snares set at kills were
most effective (1 capture/47 trap nights, n=6 captures). The snared foot wa
s swollen in all cases (n=18; data on swelling were not recorded for all ca
ptures). We observed no other detectable injuries (e.g., lacerations) in 68
% of 22 captures, but in the remaining captures, we observed minor lacerati
ons in 23% of the cases, moderate injuries in 4.5%, and severe injuries in
4.5% (2 fractured metatarsals). To change radiocollars, we recaptured 8 tig
ers 12 times in 19 attempts from a helicopter (Russian MI-8). Tigers sustai
ned no notable injuries because of capture from helicopter. We anesthetized
tigers with a mixture of ketamine hydrochloride ((x) over bar =10.8 +/-3.4
mg/kg, n=33) and xylazine hydrochloride ((x) over bar =0.81+/-0.24 mg/kg,
n=23).