Estimated Wild Tiger Population: 500 to 560
Classified as "Endangered" Due to High Risk of Extinction
A video has surfaced showing a sighting of a wild Baekdusan tiger near Yanbian, Jilin Province, China. On October 19, 2025, local media including Jimu News reported that on the previous day, a netizen uploaded a video capturing an encounter with a Baekdusan tiger while driving at night on a national road near Idaobaixihe Town. In the video, when the car's headlights illuminated the tiger, it appeared to move away from the road as if trying to escape. Suddenly, when the driver shouted "Brother!" toward the tiger, the animal reacted to the voice, returned to the road, and stared at the driver for about five seconds.
A video was posted showing a sighting of a wild Baekdusan tiger near Yanbian, Jilin Province, China. On the 19th, local media including Jimu News reported that on the 18th, a netizen uploaded a video capturing an encounter with a Baekdusan tiger while driving on a national road near Idaobaixihe Town at night. Photo by Jimu News
After briefly surveying the surroundings, the tiger slowly turned around and disappeared into the darkness. In an interview with local media, the person who posted the video said, "The tiger was large and robust. Although I am a resident of this area, I have never seen a wild tiger before. I was so startled in the moment that I shouted 'Brother!'" Idaobaixihe Town, where the tiger appeared, is the starting point for Baekdusan tourism. In Jilin Province alone, there have been several sightings of wild Baekdusan tigers this year, including in Hunchun and Wangqing.
An official from Northeast Lake Park in Changchun stated, "In recent years, the tiger population has been increasing due to ecological restoration. During the winter, when food is scarce, they sometimes come close to villages." The official added, "It is rare for tigers to attack people, but if you encounter a wild tiger, do not get out of your car to take photos. Leave the area immediately and report the sighting."
The Baekdusan tiger, also known as the Amur tiger or Siberian tiger, has been classified as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2008, indicating a high risk of extinction. The current wild Siberian tiger population in East Asia is estimated to be around 500 to 560 individuals. Thanks to international conservation efforts in recent years, the population has seen a slight increase, but the species remains at risk of extinction and requires continued protection.
In response, China designated areas of Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces as the Baekdusan Tiger and Leopard National Park in October 2021 to protect these animals. Notably, the Yanbian region where the tiger was recently spotted marks the boundary of the Siberian Tiger and Leopard National Park, which spans 14,100 square kilometers. As the local ecosystem has been restored, the wild Baekdusan tiger population in the area reached about 50 as of last year. The regional forestry authorities advised, "Wild tigers may be seen more frequently in spring and summer. If you encounter a tiger while driving, never get out of your vehicle. Maintain a safe distance and move your car slowly."
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