Zov Tigra National Park, also called "Call of the Tiger National Park" or "Roar of the Tiger," is a protected area in Russia that helps save the endangered Amur Tiger. The park covers 83,384 hectares (206,046 acres) in the Primorsky Krai region, which is part of Russia's Far East. It is located about 100 kilometers northeast of Vladivostok, on both sides of the southern part of the Sikhote-Alin mountain range. This range runs from north to south through the Primorsky Krai. To the east of the park is the Sea of Japan, to the south is the Korean Peninsula, and to the west is China. The land is rough and hard to reach, with thick forests (called taiga) and animals and birds that live in warmer climates. The park is far from human activity and is used to protect wildlife. Visitors can explore parts of the park that are open for recreation, but they must be accompanied by park rangers to enter areas that are strictly protected.

Topography

The southern part of the Primorsky maritime province was not covered in ice during the most recent ice age, which helped many different plants and animals live there. Zov Tigra is located in the highlands at the southern end of the region, on the ridge of the Sikhote-Alin mountains. The Milogradovik River flows from the area south to the Sea of Japan, about 50 miles away. To the north, smaller rivers that feed into the Ussuri River travel toward the Amur River basin. These rivers flow quickly through narrow canyons with rapids that can cause sudden floods during the spring rainy season.

The mountains are rough and hard to reach. Only a few old logging roads lead to the park, and entering the area is difficult even in the summer. The park’s website explains that a logging road shown on maps to the north is often not usable, even for vehicles designed for rough terrain. The mountains are of medium height, with the highest point being Mt. Cloud at 1,854 meters above sea level, and the lowest point in a river valley at 155 meters. There are 56 peaks that are more than 1,000 meters tall. On the upper part of the Ussuri and Milogradovka rivers, there is a large wetland area that is 4 to 6 kilometers long and 1.5 to 2 kilometers wide. This is Primorye’s highest bog.

Climate

The climate of Zov Tigra is Humid Continental with warm summers (Koppen classification Dwb). This climate has big changes in temperature every day and throughout the year, with snow falling in winter. The average winter temperature is -17 degrees Celsius, and it rises to 30 degrees Celsius in July and August. The northern part of the park, which includes the start of the Ussuri River, is much colder than the southern part. The northern area averages 0.4 degrees Celsius, while the southern area averages 2.4 degrees Celsius. The northern sections also receive less rain each year (539 mm) compared to the south (764 mm). On forested slopes, typical winter snowfall is about 50 cm.

Autumn in the region is clear, warm, and dry, with temperatures slowly decreasing. This time of year is known as the "golden Far East Autumn."

Ecoregion

Zov Tigra is located in the Ussuri broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion, which includes mountainous areas above the lower Amur River and Ussuri River. These ecoregions experience large changes in temperature daily and throughout the year, and are covered with forests.

The park is positioned to support a wide variety of plants and animals. It lies at several important meeting points: where the landmass of Eurasia connects to the Pacific Ocean, and where species that prefer warm climates meet species that thrive in cooler climates. This is because the park is located near the 45-degree latitude line, placing it halfway between the North and South Poles. It is also a place where ancient, stable rock formations from the west meet more active geological areas in the east near the Sea of Japan. Additionally, the park is along important paths used by birds and other animals for migration, and its landscape was not affected by recent ice ages or human activity.

The variety of habitats and its isolation contribute to the Primorsky region having the highest levels of biodiversity in Russia.

Plants

Differences in height between mountain peaks and valley floors can be more than 1,200 meters, showing different types of plants at different elevations. The lowest area, below 600 meters in valleys and lower slopes, has a mix of coniferous and broad-leafed trees. In the southern, milder parts of the park, there are areas of oak forests and other plants that show the effects of past logging done by people walking and forest fires. Oak trees are not found in the northern, colder areas. Between 600 meters and 1,100 meters, there are forests of fir and spruce trees, often covered with mosses and lichens that grow on trees. Above 1,100 meters, the area has shrubs and fir trees. Higher up, there are meadows with flowers, and at the highest peaks, there are no plants.

In addition to these main areas, there are smaller groups of plants, such as larch forests that grow where pine-spruce or cedar-broadleaf forests were cleared by fire or past logging. These larch forests are temporary and will eventually be replaced by pine-deciduous or pine-spruce forests.

• Mongolian oak grows in June and October.
• The highland areas of Zov Tigra have rough, uneven land.

Besides elevation zones, temperate forests usually have four layers above ground: the top layer of the most common trees, a layer of older trees slightly lower, a layer of shrubs, and a layer of grasses.

More than 2,500 different plant species have been recorded in the Primorsky region, with many found in Zov Tigra. In the Red Book, which lists rare and vulnerable species in the Primorsky region, there are 343 vulnerable plant species and 55 vulnerable fungi species.

Animals

Zov Tigra was created in part to serve as a "source habitat" for the recovery of the Amur Tiger and the animals it depends on for food. In 2012, a survey found four Amur tigers living in the park and four more visiting the protected areas often. The prey base, which includes mostly hoofed animals, remained stable. A census counted over 1,200 Manchurian wapiti, 800 Roe deer, 99 Sika deer, and 189 wild boars. These species make up about 85% of the Amur tiger's diet. Tigers are called an "umbrella species" because their success in an area shows that other species below them in the food chain are also in balance.

• Amur Tiger
• Manchurian wapiti
• Far Eastern Forest Cat

Ussuri brown bears are common in the area, with a density estimated by the park as 0.4 to 0.5 per 10 kilometers. Lynx are found at a similar density. The Far Eastern Forest Cat lives in broad-leaf and oak valleys. The critically endangered Amur Leopard has not lived in the area since the 1970s, but there is hope that increased protection in Zov Tigra may help it return.

The main threats to animals in Zov Tigra are poaching, forest fires, and logging (historically). Park managers, working with conservation groups, have increased patrols and enforcement to stop poaching.

History

Many archaeological sites, including fortified towns and villages, are located near the border of the park. These sites are from the 12th-century Jurchen Empire and have not been thoroughly studied.

In 2014, the management of Zov Tigra National Park was combined with the Lazovsky Nature Reserve, which covers 120,000 hectares to the south. The Lazovsky Reserve adds to the protected area and is known to be a home for Amur tigers. A small area between the two regions is managed by a private hunting club.

Tourism

To visit the park, you must apply ahead of time. Tours of the main sights are led by park rangers. There are costs for things like transportation in the park, guides, and using guest quarters or campsites.

The park's main goal is to protect vulnerable species. Areas open for recreation are narrow paths leading to main attractions, such as waterfalls and mountain peaks. These areas are hard to reach and have few facilities. In 2015, the park was closed temporarily because of a forest fire danger.