Dead Amur Tiger Found Floating in Sea of Japan Shocks Russian Fishermen

Fishermen off the eastern coast of Russia were stunned on Sunday, after discovering the preserved body of a rare Amur tiger floating in the Sea of Japan, near Vladivostok. The unusual and disturbing sight has now triggered an official investigation by city prosecutors.

Shocking Scene in Open Water

Footage captured from the fishermen’s boat shows the large tiger’s lifeless body drifting in the water. There were no visible injuries on the animal, raising questions about how it died and ended up in the sea. The body appeared well-preserved, which suggests it may have died recently.

Authorities quickly confirmed that the dead animal is an Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger – a critically endangered species. Only around 750 Amur tigers remain in the wild, mostly found in the dense forests of Russia’s Far East.

Investigation Underway

A spokesperson for the regional hunting supervision service said they are working to recover the tiger’s body and determine the cause of death. “Specialists are carrying out urgent measures to locate and retrieve the predator’s body from the water,” they added.

The city prosecutor’s office also issued a statement:

“All circumstances of the incident, including the reasons for the animal’s death, will be established.”

Viral Video Sparks Public Concern

The video of the tiger’s body has gone viral on Telegram, generating widespread concern about tiger conservation and possible illegal trafficking. The location of the sighting—far from the animal’s typical forest habitat—has led some to speculate whether the tiger may have been part of a smuggling operation or kept in captivity before its death.

Links to Past Wildlife Crimes

This disturbing find comes five years after a similar case in Thailand, where authorities uncovered tiger carcasses and body parts during a wildlife trafficking raid at a private zoo. DNA tests later revealed illegal tiger smuggling at the facility.

Although there’s no proven connection between the Russian case and the Thai incident, both raise alarming questions about the safety of endangered species and the illegal wildlife trade.