Tiger king Tikhon who sought human help wants to return to the wild after having dental treatment

The predator recently amazed wildlife experts by appearing at a Russian border post with China and refusing to leave, apparently seeking the assistance of people. 

Why did he behave in this way? Was he ready to go on pension, and in need of a quiet life?

Even when border guards fired warning shots, the predator refused to leave. 

This Siberian tiger - a long-living and distinguished member of one of the world’s most endangered species -  appeared weak and wounded, able only to hunt dogs rather than his usual ungulates.

After he was sedated, veterinary specialists soon realised an overriding problem - tooth decay. 

Now his jaw has been patched up, and Tikhon is released into a large fenced compound at the Tiger Rehabilitation Centre near Alekseyevka village. Pictures: Land of the Leopard Nature Reserve

The dentists got to work. 

Specialist Emma Muradyan said: 'Because the tiger is rather senior, the front part of his lower and upper jaws had distinctive dental abrasion.’

Now the big cat dentists have provided the necessary help.

Emma Muradyan said: ‘We have made sure we have got rid of the acute pain that the tiger was feeling when eating.' 

During this active male’s lifetime roaming around the Russian Far East, something extraordinary happened, as the highly endangered population of Siberian or Amur tigers rose from less than 350 to more than 550. Pictures: Land of the Leopard

Now his jaw has been patched up, and Tikhon is released into a large fenced compound at the Tiger Rehabilitation Centre near Alekseyevka village.

Far from seeking a quiet life, wildlife experts say he is eagerly searching for a way back to the wild.

‘Tikhon still cannot surrender to captivity and constantly tests the fences for weakness,’ said the centre. ‘Moreover, he has a good appetite.’

He wants to get back to the wild. 

And during this active male’s lifetime roaming around the Russian Far East, something extraordinary happened. 

The highly endangered population of Siberian or Amur tigers rose from less than 350 to more than 550. 

The species is on the way to being saved and we can only guess at Tikhon’s role in this achievement. 

'Despite the age and health problems, Tikhon's strength and greatness have remained with him'. Pictures: Land of the Leopard Nature Reserve 

While he was regularly spotted on camera traps, this was his first encounter with humans except a decade ago when he was briefly caught to allow a tracker collar to be attached to him - although it later stopped working.

What is clear is this: Tikhon is not ready to stop now his teeth are fixed. 

‘Despite the age and health problems, his strength and greatness have remained with him,’ say the centre.

Decisions are now being made on Tikhon’s future as results are awaited from other tests.

His weight is still lower at 140 kilograms than when he was in his prime weighing over 160 kg - but the key question now is whether he will be able to hunt. 

Sergey Aramilev, director of the Tiger Centre, said that Tikhon 'was clearly starving’.

Pavel Fomenko, head of WWF Russia in Amur region, said: 'Only after assessing of all the information will  specialists make a decision whether to keep him in captivity or release him in the wild.’

King Tikhon the Amur tiger. Picture: Land of the Leopard 

Tikhon is only one of many big cats saved by the amazing work of the Tiger Rehabilitation Centre, which has issued an appeal for additional funding.  

‘You can help us by making a donation on our website or a transfer to our Sberbank card no. 4276500019455771.

‘All money will be spent for feeding the animals that are now kept at the Centre, for fixing the enclosures and facilities, and purchasing veterinary drugs.

‘Thank you for your contribution to the wildlife conservation.’