Amur Tigers Driven Out of Forests by Swine Fever, Sparking Deadly Attacks

As of November 10th, 2025, the spread of African swine fever among wild boar populations in Russia's far east has led to the deadliest winter for Amur tiger attacks on people in decades. The once-elusive Amur tiger, the world's largest big cat, has been forced out of the forests in search of food, sparking fear and conflict with local communities.

The disease has killed vast numbers of wild boar, a primary food source for the tigers, particularly for females with cubs. This "ecological disaster" has driven the Amur tigers to leave their natural habitats in unprecedented numbers, leading to a 1,000% increase in human-tiger conflict incidents in some regions. Between October 2024 and September 2025, at least 17 Amur tigers have been killed and 27 captured, with many found emaciated, dehydrated, or suffering from injuries.

Experts warn that the tigers are "hungry" and that's why these deadly attacks are occurring. The virus likely spread from China, where millions of domestic pigs died from the outbreak that began in 2018. Unrestricted poaching and increased logging in the tigers' ranges have also contributed to the crisis, creating a "perfect storm" that is pushing the endangered predators out of their forests in search of sustenance.

While the Russian government has touted a rise in Amur tiger numbers in recent years, conservationists suspect the big cats are in far more trouble than authorities recognize. The main body responsible for their protection is overseen by a sanctioned Russian official, and few independent researchers are allowed to work on the issue, making the situation increasingly politicized.