 Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, is an advocate for the Ussuri Reserve, a Tiger Protection Program in the Far East of Russia. Approximately a year ago, Putin funded a group of scientists who are monitoring the movements of 3 tigers in the Ussuri Reserve. The tracking system is based on a GPS collar placed around the tigers' neck. Media suspicion fueled the official announcement, since the GPS data had quit transmitting in mid-September. This raised concerns on the welfare of the tigers, and prompted a visit to the area by scientists to verify the well being of the big cats. It was determined that the batteries had expired in the collars, however the animals were found to be well, and thriving. The five year old female tiger, sponsored by Putin, is doing fine, and within the past year became a mother. Her cub, which already has the characteristics of a full grown predator, is also collared with one of the GPS receivers. All of the tigers being tracked in the reserve have their movements mapped on the programs website, http://premier.gov.ru/eng/tiger/.
Original article by: http://premier.gov.ru/eng/tiger/reserve/. | 
