Tiger numbers see global increase first time in 100 years

India leads global count with 2,226 tigers ahead of tiger conservation summit on Tuesday

The number of wild tigers across the world has increased for the first time in over a century, growing to an estimated 3,890 as compared to 3,200 in 2010, a report by Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said.

The data attain significance with the third Asia ministerial conference on tiger conservation set to start on Tuesday, hosting more than 700 experts, scientists, and conservationists. All tiger-range countries — where tigers roam freely — like Russia, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia, and others are set to take part.

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The report showed India tops the list, with the highest population of wild tigers at 2,226. Russia comes a distant second, with 433 tigers, followed by Indonesia, 371, and Malaysia, 250.

While there were 100,000 wild tigers a hundred years ago, by 2010 their numbers had gone down 97 per cent to the lowest level of 3,200. In the same year, governments from 13 tiger-range countries came together aiming to double the number of wild tigers by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger — 2022. This goal, known as Tx2, says countries must survey their tiger populations. The report shows nation-scale surveys have not been taken in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. The rise in numbers is attributed to major increases in tiger population in Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

“While the ban on cutting trees in tiger habitat zones and raising penalty has worked for Russia, Nepal has tackled illegal hunting by allowing forest officials judicial powers to prosecute poachers,” said S P Yadav, assistant secretary-general of GTF.

“Nepal also deployed the army in specific cases to protect the big cats. Amur tiger numbers in Russia increased to as many as 540 in the last decade, while recent camera-trap footage captured the first evidence of Amur tiger cubs inside China. The next step for India would be to increase the population in tiger reserves, currently below the carrying capacity," Yadav said. India has 49 such reserves. Earlier this year, India’s latest tiger census showed a rise to 2,226 tigers from 1,706 in 2010.

While tigers are classified as an endangered species, the WWF estimates the size of the global black market for tiger products including skin, bones and whiskers at a staggering $ 19 billion annually.

This updated minimum figure is compiled from IUCN data and the latest national tiger surveys. Apart from targeted poaching, tigers are also victims of habitat loss, especially in rapidly developing countries of South East Asia like India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

In India’s neighborhood, Bhutan recently conducted its first-ever national tiger survey, counting 103 tigers. The figures from Bangladesh have continued to be disappointing with tiger numbers falling sharply from 440 in 2010 to 106 in 2015. However, the report clarifies that an over-estimation of the population in 2010 might be the cause.

The report also revealed that Malaysia has undertaken its first nationwide tiger survey while talks are going on with Myanmar about the development of a new tiger action plan which will include recommendations for surveys and protection measures in selected priority sites.

China, which constitutes the largest market for illegal trade in tiger products, did not conduct a survey. The present population is expected to be between 7 and 20 tigers.

India had in January 2015, published its tiger population census revealing the number of tigers in the country increased by 30 per cent since 2010 to 2,226 in 2014.