Tiger population rises for first time in a century

It had been a disappointing 100 years for the majestic cats.

Around 100,000 tigers still lived in the wild in the 1900, but 97 percent were lost in a century of constant decline.

But their numbers were finally on the rise, marking a turning point for the tigers’ plight against poaching and loss of habitat.

There are now 3,890 tigers, which is 700 more than the figure from 2010 when the population was estimated to be 3,200.

The figure was collated from national surveys conducted in tiger range states and from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has attributed the increase in number to rising tiger populations in India, Russia, Nepal and Bhutan, besides more accurate surveys and enhanced protection of the species.

Nepal has emerged strongly in its management against poaching through a professionalised approach to wildlife protection, according to the global non-governmental organisation.

“This is a pivotal step in the recovery of one of the world’s most endangered and iconic species,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at WWF.

“Together with governments, local communities, philanthropists and other NGOs, we’ve begun to reverse the trend in the century-long decline of tigers.”

But Hemley does not believe that the work is not done as much more work and investment is needed for the goal to double tiger numbers by 2022, a pledge taken by 13 countries with tigers in 2010.

From whisker to tail, every part of the big cats is traded by poachers using an underground network worth billions of dollars.

The WWF said while some countries showed positive gains the outlook was not as clear in Southeast Asia, where poaching and rampant deforestation continue to negatively impact tiger numbers.

Source: Bd news24