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Vladimir Putin helps release three Amur tigers into the wild Vladimir Putin helps release three Amur tigers into the wild
(35 minutes later)
On Wednesday, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a $400 billion gas deal with China. But his list of "weekly accomplishments" doesn't end there.On Wednesday, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a $400 billion gas deal with China. But his list of "weekly accomplishments" doesn't end there.
Mr Putin, an avid sportsman with a Judo black belt, has also helped release three rare, orphaned tigers in the remote Amur region in eastern Siberia.Mr Putin, an avid sportsman with a Judo black belt, has also helped release three rare, orphaned tigers in the remote Amur region in eastern Siberia.
Yesterday, Russian television showed footage of Mr Putin, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, tugging on a rope to help open the gates and let the tigers- two males and a female- run into the wild.Yesterday, Russian television showed footage of Mr Putin, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, tugging on a rope to help open the gates and let the tigers- two males and a female- run into the wild.
The males, Borya and Kuzia, rushed out of their cages, getting their first taste of freedom, but their sister, Ilona, refused to follow Mr Putin's orders who banged the cage with a metal stick, but to no avail.The males, Borya and Kuzia, rushed out of their cages, getting their first taste of freedom, but their sister, Ilona, refused to follow Mr Putin's orders who banged the cage with a metal stick, but to no avail.
The Russian leader, who often indulges in macho outdoor escapades involving guns and bare chest displays, reportedly shot one of the animals with a tranquiliser gun so doctors could put a GPS tracking device on it.The Russian leader, who often indulges in macho outdoor escapades involving guns and bare chest displays, reportedly shot one of the animals with a tranquiliser gun so doctors could put a GPS tracking device on it.
The Kremlin said the tigers will be monitored for a year.The Kremlin said the tigers will be monitored for a year.
Vitaliy Timchenko, head of the Russian Ministry of Environment,added: "The tigers successfully went through a course of wildlife survival training.
"We will keep an eye on them for a year. Each has a collar fitted  with a satellite chip. The collars are programmed to unlock in 12 months time."