WWF Thrilled That Wild Tiger Numbers Are On The Rise
According to the latest data from WWF and the Global Tiger Forum the world’s population of tigers in the wild has increased from an all-time low of 3,200 to 3,890. WWF expressed its pleasure at the latest statistics with the organisation’s international director-general, Marco Lambertini saying that after decades of constant decline, for the first time, the number of wild tigers is on the rise. In fact, this is the first time the global wild tiger population has risen since 1900 when there were 100,000.
Most tigers are in India
More than half the world’s wild tiger population are in India. It is estimated that as many as 2,226 live in reserves that are spread across 18 states according to a census performed in 2014. There was also an increase in tiger numbers across Russia, Nepal and Bhutan. Whilst experts were pleased they urged caution because some of the increase may be attributed to better data gathering techniques as well as improved protection.
Steep declines throughout Asia
In 2010 Bangladesh saw a steep decline in tigers from 440 in 2010 to just 106 last year, however conservationists believe this could be attributed to an over estimate of the population in 2010. In Indonesia, tiger numbers have dropped precipitously as a result of intense habitat destruction. Cambodia is thinking about re-introducing the species after recently declaring them functionally extinct. There has been no evidence of the big cat in the country since 2007. Deforestation and habitat destruction as well as poaching have devastated tiger numbers throughout Asia.
