Injured Siberian Tiger Overcomes Its Instincts To Seek Out Human Help

Tigers and humans don't traditionally get on very well. Most of the time we're best leaving each other alone, so as not to risk either one of us getting killed.

But one endangered Siberian tiger has taken the brave step of bridging the divide, walking out of the wilderness into a village in a desperate bid to seek help for a severe dental problem.

WATCH THE SIBERIAN TIGER BEING CARED FOR BELOW:

The rare tiger - believed to be one of only 500-600 living in Russia - was found lying exhausted on the porch of a house in the remote Siberian village of Solontsovy, 3,915 miles east of Moscow in the Altai Krai of Russia.

The big cats usually avoid contact with humans but experts believe the tiger made the decision to seek assistance after its tooth and gum problem left it starving and unable to eat.

"Alexey Khaideyev came across a tiger on his porch," said Galina Tsimano, a Solontsovy resident whose neighbour discovered the tiger. "He wanted to go out to the yard in the morning, but his door was pressed by 'someone' from outside.

"He began to push the door and heard a tiger growling. He went back inside and started calling all the emergency services."

While the tigress did not let Alexey get too close, she did not attack Alexey either. An emergency team quickly arrived to sedate the animal and move it to the Alekseevka Rehabilitation Centre in the Far Eastern Primorsky Krai.

Specialists at the centre have determined that the tigress is around ten years old and suffering from an acute problem in its jaw.

"Nevertheless, the condition of the rare predator is severe and it needs urgent action."

Siberian tigers often travel unaccompanied and are known to travel up to 1,000km - a wanderlust which has left the species prone to heavy poaching and close to extinction.

While Aramilev confirmed the tiger has problems with its oral cavity, he said the tigress had 'no visible injuries' from firearms.

Conservationist Yury Kolpak, from Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources, described the tigress as 'thoroughly exhausted', suffering from serious gum problems and no upper teeth.

Kolpak emphasised that the tiger must now be provided with qualified assistance from experts.

Vets hope to solve the tiger's dental problems but it currently isn't strong enough to undergo major surgery, although it is now able to eat ground meat.

Aramilev said that specialists 'are doing everything possible' to ensure the tiger's survival.