Jump in tiger population offers hope for protection

AFTER decades of decline, for the first time the population of wild tigers has increased worldwide – to 3,890 – according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The increase – from the estimated 3,200 wild tigers in 2010 – is an encouraging sign after tiger-range countries united to double their population by 2022 under the “TX2” goal.
As the feral species remains an endangered species, conservationists have urged all sides to help protect the animals.
The new global estimate based on data gathered from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and various countries’ national tiger surveys will be presented today at the Global Tiger Forum in New Delhi.
The increase in numbers in India, Russia, Nepal and Bhutan stemmed from various factors, including improvement in survey methods and more effective protection of this iconic species in their habitats.
“This is a glimpse of hope for tiger conservation after its population declined for decades,” Rungnapa Phoonjampa, manager of the WWF-Thailand’s Mae Wong-Klong Lan National Parks Tiger Recovery Programme, said yesterday.
“Thailand is the best place to rehabilitate the tiger population due to the support from the government, environmental conservationists, communities and the public,” Rungnapa said.
Marco Lambertini, director of WWF International, hailed the success.
“This offers us great hope and shows that we can save the species and their habitats when governments, local communities and conservationists work together.”
During the Third Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation from today until Thursday, ministers and officials of all 15 tiger-range countries will discuss habitat management, tiger reintroduction, monitoring protocols and the use of new technology for monitoring.
The countries will report on the status of their tiger conservation programmes and set future goals.
The conference host, India’s Environment Ministry, noted concerns about the decimation of the species in some areas to “non-viable” levels.
At the first summit in St Petersburg, Russia, in 2010, participating governments agreed to the TX2 goal.
“A strong action plan for the next six years is vital,” said Michael Baltzer, head of the WWF’s Tiger Initiative.
“The global decline has been halted but there is still no safe place for tigers.
“Southeast Asia, in particular, is at imminent risk of losing its tigers if these governments do not take action immediately,” Baltzer added.
“This is a critical meeting taking place at the halfway point of theTX2 goal,” said Rajesh Gopal, secretary-general of the Global Tiger Forum.
“Tiger governments will decide the next steps towards achieving this goal and ensuring wild tigers have a place in Asia’s future.”