A group of fishermen in Russia’s Primorye region got more than they bargained for when a wild tiger appeared from the dense forest near their fishing spot.
Instead of fleeing immediately, the majestic predator calmly observed them—before making off with their bucket of freshly caught fish.
The tense and somewhat humorous encounter was captured on video by the fishermen themselves and later shared on the Telegram channel Svodka25.
Close Encounter Caught on Camera
The video shows the tiger emerging quietly from the thicket and settling nearby, as if waiting for a “fish bribe,” one of the men joked nervously.
Startled, the fishermen quickly retreated to their vehicle, attempting to reason with the predator.
“You see the fishing rods, kitty? We’ll pack up and leave, okay?” one of them stammered as the tiger’s gaze remained fixed on them.
Moments later, the tiger moved closer to the riverbank and discovered something in the grass. “Oh, he took some bag… must be hungry.
Hey, he grabbed the bucket!” another man exclaimed, pointing out that the tiger had taken all the fish they had caught that day.
One fisherman simply sighed and said, “Alright, grab the rod and let’s go,” realizing their catch was gone.
A Reminder of Human-Wildlife Proximity
This unusual incident highlights just how close human activity in Primorye comes to the natural habitat of the endangered Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger.
While such encounters are rare, they serve as a vivid reminder of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife in the region.
About the Amur Tiger
The Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is native to Northeast China, the Russian Far East, and possibly North Korea.
Historically, it roamed the Korean Peninsula, but was eradicated there during Japan’s rule between 1910 and 1945.
Today, most of the population lives in the Sikhote-Alin mountain region in southwest Primorye Province.
Conservation efforts have helped stabilize the population over the years.
In 2005, there were an estimated 331–393 adult and subadult tigers, with around 250 breeding adults.
By 2015, the population had grown to roughly 480–540 individuals, including 100 cubs, and a detailed follow-up census recorded 562 wild Siberian tigers in Russia.
As of 2022, estimates suggest about 756 tigers, including 200 cubs, inhabit the Russian Far East, with around 35 individuals roaming the border region between Russia and China.
Human Encounters Remain Rare but Striking
While tiger sightings remain uncommon, incidents like this riverbank encounter provide a stark, unforgettable look at the wildlife that continues to thrive—and occasionally surprise—humans in Russia’s Far East.
For the fishermen, it was a day they—and their lost fish—won’t soon forget.
