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Tiger Conservation

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Tigers Critically Endangered
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Tigers Critically Endangered

It has taken millions of years for tigers to evolve into the beautiful, awe-inspiring predator we have today. Once roaming over nearly one fifth of earth's land, the tiger has been pushed into small isolated islands of habitat, often surrounded by a sea of humanity. It is presently a very real possibility that the tiger will become extinct in our lifetime. Tiger conservation is therefore now more critical than ever.

The wild tiger population is at an all-time low. "How many tigers are left in the wild?" is a common question asked, and to give an honest answer – nobody really knows! Due to their elusive nature, accurately counting tigers is very difficult.

What we do know is that the tiger is on the brink of extinction. In the last sixty years we have lost three sub-species of tiger. The Balinese, Caspian and Javanese tigers are gone forever. It is estimated that just 100 years ago there were over 100,000 tigers in the vast forests of Asia; today it is possible that fewer than 5,000 remain. Humans are the only race capable of wiping out an entire species, making us solely responsible for the tiger's demise. We are also their only hope. The future survival of the tiger is in the hands of mankind.

The four main contributing factors to the decline in tiger populations are habitat destruction, poaching and prey depletion, human/animal conflict and lack of political will power.

Habitat Destruction

The forests where tigers and their prey live are disappearing at an alarming rate. This is not only due to the pressure that local populations exert on these forests, but also to large multinational companies exploiting these natural habitats for their short-term greed. This habitat destruction further compounds the tiger's struggle by fragmenting and isolating small tiger populations. Sumatra has the highest rate of habitat destruction in the world. In Indonesia, 70% of logging is carried out illegally. This habitat destruction affects not only the tiger population, but also other species such as orangutans, elephants and the Javan Rhino to name a few. Less than 10% of India's natural forest cover remains, of which most has degraded.

Poaching and prey depletion

Another major threat to the tiger is the black market trade in their bones and body parts. These body parts are used in traditional Asian medicines all over the world and even for souvenirs. It is estimated that somewhere in the vicinity of one to five tigers are being mindlessly slaughtered every day in the wild to supply this trade. Although illegal, weak law enforcement in most tiger range countries ensures that this trade continues. Poaching not only directly affects tiger populations, but in addition the poaching of the tigers' prey forces them to turn to alternative food sources, often leading to human/animal conflict.

Human/animal conflict

Increased habitat destruction, poaching and prey depletion has a compounding effect. The result is an in increase in contact between tigers and the local communities. This often leads to attacks on livestock and domestic animals. In retaliation, people resort to killing tigers. Ultimately the tiger comes off second best!

Lack of political will power

Tiger populations have, in the past, bounced back when government restrictions on poaching were strong.  When governments don’t enforce anti-poaching and habitat destruction laws, tiger populations decrease rapidly.

The threats that the tiger faces are immense and complex, and we must adopt a holistic approach to effectively deal with them. The tiger can be saved, but we have to act TODAY.  Wildlife Warriors is leading the way in tiger conservation working at the front line, actively in the field. You can help by supporting Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and choosing 'Tiger Conservation Projects' in the donation form.

Warriors At Work

The tiger is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world.  Wildlife Warriors is involved in vital tiger conservation programs in three key areas of tiger habitat across Asia.

India – Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh

We work in partnership with LifeForce based in Satpura Tiger Reserve in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.  Madhya Pradesh is known as the 'Tiger State' and contains up to 20% of the remaining Bengal Tigers.

It is the most significant tiger habitat remaining in India, so it is crucial that this region is protected.

Field officers are working with local villages to protect the habitat and reduce the potential for human/tiger conflict.

There is a great focus on the support of anti-poaching patrols, as well as on providing education and training to the public.

One of the most significant tasks is to relocate entire villages out of the national park to reduce pressures on both habitat and wildlife. Wildlife Warriors and LifeForce are working to help reduce their dependency on the forests and provide alternative means of income. Gaining the support of these communities is crucial for the future success of conservation in India.

Indonesia – Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra

This is one of the last remaining viable habitats for the Sumatran Tiger.  With only around 300 animals remaining in the wild, the Sumatran Tiger needs our help.

We work in partnership with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) in Kerinci Seblat National Park.  This national park covers 1.5 million hectares. Key activities include:

Keeping the Tiger Conservation and Protection Units (TCPU) in operation.
The TCPU consists of mobile teams of four trained personnel that conduct forest patrols and investigate reports of poaching and other environmental crimes.

Working with local communities.
We offer practical solutions to mitigate conflict between local villagers and wildlife, and educate local villagers on environmental protection.

Bhutan – Manas National Park

Bhutan is currently one of the only countries in the world where the Bengal Tiger can be found in viable numbers in temperate upland forest habitats.

Bhutan still has around 75% of its habitat connected by natural corridors, allowing a population of 155 tigers (including 80 adult tigers) the opportunity to breed.

Manas National Park borders India and has quite porous borders, allowing poachers to enter Bhutan. The majority of the conservation effort is spent on protecting this border and reducing the pressures that other countries suffer to preserve this unique environment.

Wildlife Warriors is working with WWF Bhutan in this global biodiversity hotspot that is home to 770 birds and 160 mammals, including several rare and endangered species.

Key activities include:

Generating and updating tiger information
Survey of key species
Training of key field personnel
Provision for anti-poaching patrols including packs, boots and medical equipment

Where the money goes

Costs

Each TCPU (Tiger Conservation and Protection Unit) costs approximately $87,000 and includes:

Education
Training
Vehicles
Communication equipment
Surveillance equipment
Camping/general equipment
Community education

Benefits

120,000 hours of forest patrols
2,000km walked by forest patrols
Hundreds of villages educated annually
Thousands of square metres of forests protected
Thousands of other species protected (biodiversity)
Protection of the local people's livelihoods
Protection of vital watersheds