WWF: A turning point for tigers?

On Global Tiger Day, we are delighted to share news of a doubling in Nepal’s wild tiger numbers over the past 12 years. But how is the future looking for this iconic species after being driven so close to extinction?

Twelve years ago, the future looked bleak for wild tigers with global populations at an all time low. Poaching, habitat destruction and other threats had put the species in a seemingly unstoppable downward spiral.

But in 2010, the last Lunar Year of the Tiger, the governments of 13 countries, where tigers still roamed or had recently become extinct, agreed on a plan to double their numbers by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022.

Since then, WWF has strongly supported efforts to achieve this TX2 goal and we can now look back on successful action across several countries – for example, a doubling of numbers in Nepal, which was announced today, and the strengthening of anti-poaching efforts in Malaysia.

Sadly, however, historic threats have not gone away. While the global estimate for wild tigers may be on the rise, their numbers continue to decline in Southeast Asia with tigers now likely to be extinct in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam. And, globally, the places where they live have continued to shrink.

Much still needs to be done to tackle these threats so that people and tigers can coexist. But we are proud of the progress that has been made and remain as committed as ever to securing the tiger’s future.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Our tiger conservation efforts are not just about safeguarding one species – they are also about building a better future for people and the natural world.

Protecting tiger habitat provides many benefits for wildlife, the climate and the billions of people who depend on these landscapes for natural resources such as clean air and fresh water. When we protect tigers, we protect so much more.

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