OPERATION SNOW TIGER

On Sunday night BBC's latest Wildlife Film, 'Operation Snow Tiger',  aired for the first time, and as we have come to expect from anything BBC it was a fascinating and eye-opening program. 

Young tiger cub rescued by Siberian Tiger experts in Russia

The program, which is presented by Liz Bonnin (who you may remember from programs such as 'Stargazing Live' and 'Bang Goes the Theory'), follows the Russian conservationists who have dedicated their lives to saving the Siberian Tiger species. The tigers are under threat mainly from habitat loss and poaching and now their numbers dwindle dangerously towards extinction. 

Siberian Tiger

The first episode really highlighted just how tough the job of the Russian conservationists is, with the team ploughing through snow up to their waists, digging out the cars and knowing just how small the chance of seeing a tiger really is (conservationists who have worked for many years on the reserve, specifically protected for the tigers, have only had up to 4 sightings of the elusive creatures). But they continue with their fundamental work despite the little reward and with no complaints. You really understand these peoples' passion for their work when they catch a glimpse of the tigers on the BBC's own camera traps. There is no doubt that these are truly dedicated conservationists. 

In the middle of their filming the group get a phone call from a local village - a tiger cub has been captured that is alleged to have killed a dog. The team race up to the rescue and to their dismay realise it is one of three who's mother appears to have been killed; one cub is safe but there are still two out there, unlikely to survive long without the care they need. Cameraman Max Hug Williams joins the team to hunt for the babies and soon finds himself on 12 mile marches through the snow, desperate to get any sign that they might rescue these that represent 1% of the entire Siberian Tiger population. 

The program is well put together and despite not seeing nice clear footage of the tigers, as you normally expect of BBC Wildlife documentaries, you get an incredible glimpse into this rare world that few will ever have the opportunity to see. And you couldn't get a better presenter than Liz who studied a masters focussed on tigers. As ever the BBC team have pulled it out of the bag, despite the difficulty of the project and I cannot wait for the next episode next week.

If you didn't catch the program on Sunday you can catch up here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p019cy5k/Operation_Snow_Tiger_Episode_1/

And don't miss the next episode - 8pm Sunday on BBC 2