Tiger population across Asia can triple: Study

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Tiger population in sites across Asia have potential to triple: WWF

Wild tiger populations in key tiger recovery sites across Asia, including in India, have the potential to triple, contributing up to 15 per cent increase in the global tiger population, a new study said Wednesday.
Some of the tiger recovery sites cited in the study could be on track to fulfil their highest estimated tiger population capacity within the next 20 years.

18 tiger recovery sites from 10 tiger-range countries were selected for the study, which currently support around 165 (118-277) wild tigers, it said.
These sites have the capacity to harbour up to 585 (454-739) tigers in the study's best case scenario, representing an estimated tripling of their current combined population, it pointed out.

The study, conducted by 49 conservation experts from 10 tiger-range countries, developed site-specific and ecologically realistic targets and timelines for the recovery of tiger populations in the tiger recovery sites, identified under WWF's global tiger conservation programme.
In 2010, the global tiger population reached an all-time low of around 3,200, prompting 13 tiger-range governments to convene and commit to TX2 - to double the world tiger population to beyond 6000 by the year 2022.

The India sites in the study include Rajaji National Park, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, Valmiki national park in northern India, Manas national park in the east, Balaghat, Achanakmar Wildlife in central India, and Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Vazhachal forests in southern India.

The authors of the study, concluded that although the goal to double tiger numbers by 2022 may be ambitious given the limited time frame, it is still possible as long as significant and sustained conservation efforts are taken immediately.
This study has revealed tremendous potential among these sites – although some areas are still lagging behind, particularly in South East Asia, several others are already beginning to experience an increase in wild tigers. Reply

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Recovery planning towards doubling wild tiger Panthera tigris numbers: Detailing 18 recovery sites from across the range

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"We are at a critical juncture for tiger conservation, where we can bring wild tiger populations back from their devastating decline but concerted effort is needed to reach it. This study has revealed tremendous potential among these sites although some areas are still lagging behind, particularly in South East Asia, several others are already beginning to experience an increase in wild tigers.
We know this can only happen when there is strong political will, sustained investments, responsive governance and public support all critical conditions regardless of which site we are looking at," said Margaret Kinnaird, Leader of WWF's Wildlife Practice.

"Each tiger site is unique and requires intensive efforts based on specific plans that are relevant at the site level. This study has clearly laid out different components of a tiger recovery system, with a special focus on recovery sites - areas with high potential for long-term recovery of wild tiger populations.
Our assessment serves as a template to guide planning for population recovery in other sites globally and helps to inform more effective, integrated approaches to tiger conservation," said Abishek Harihar, a Lead author of the study and population ecologist at Panthera.

"The presence of wild tigers represent thriving biodiversity and indicate healthy ecosystems - as apex predators, tigers can only survive with a stable prey base.
This study affirms the need for tiger-range governments to take a holistic, long-term view towards tiger recovery which must include plans for revival of prey animals and other wildlife at the site-level," said Rajesh Gopal, secretary seneral, Global Tiger Forum (GTF).

“Through this study, we’re trying to answer: where and how quickly can tiger populations increase and what needs to be done at specific sites. Such an exercise could help channel resources to where there is greatest potential for population recovery," added Joseph Vattakaven, coordinating author and tiger biologist from WWF. "Doubling wild tiger numbers is just the first step it is the very least we need to put a safe distance between wild tigers and the threat of extinction.
As we move towards the TX2 goal, we must recognise that global efforts put into tiger recovery is aimed at the long-term survival of tigers in the wild, way beyond 2022."

“There are about 300,000 square kilometres of potential habitat, but we are pouring all the money, resources and efforts into the same 10 per cent area which already has tigers at high densities,” said Ullas Karanth, director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, who was not associated with the WWF study. “India needs to focus on massive funding of voluntary relocation of human settlements in new landscapes to make room for expanding conflict-free tiger habitats,” he added. Reply