The global number of tigers has risen from 3,200 individuals in 2010 to the current 3,890. Credit goes to conservation efforts and more forward-thinking policies.
Little more than a century ago, there were over 100,000 tigers silently and regally hunting in the forests and jungles of the planet. Within just a few years, however, populations of this great feline collapsed by 95 per cent due to rampant poaching and habitat loss. Today, though, after an unstoppable decline, the number of tigers has begun to rise again for the first time in more than a hundred years.
The announcement was made by WWF, confirming the effectiveness of the Tx2 project — the goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, launched in 2010. According to data released by the environmental organisation and the Global Tiger Forum, ahead of a summit scheduled in New Delhi on 12 April, there are an estimated 3,890 tigers living in the wild — a small number, it is true (more individuals live in captivity in the United States than roam free across the entire planet), but reassuring when one considers that in 2010 there were just 3,200. "We are positively surprised by the numbers, which confirm what we thought was happening thanks to conservation efforts," said Ginette Hemley, WWF's Senior Vice President for Wildlife Conservation.
The growth in tiger numbers, according to experts, is due primarily to the intensification of conservation efforts, particularly in India (the country that is home to the largest number of tigers in the world, where they have increased from 1,706 individuals to 2,226 over the past five years), Russia, Nepal and Bhutan.
India has also sought to mitigate conflicts between people and tigers, offering compensation to villagers who have suffered damage caused by tigers. The country has also recognised that hosting such a charismatic and admired animal can only be an advantage, and has therefore decided to invest in sustainable tourism.
Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF, is enthusiastic about the results achieved so far. "The increase in tigers gives us great hope and shows us that we can save species and their habitats when governments, local communities and conservation managers work together."