Tigers business plan to increase numbers by 50%.

24/02/2007 00:00:00 The Wildlife Conservation Society has launched an ambitious new plan that aims at a 50 percent increase in tigers in parts of its range over the next 10 years

The initiative, ‘Tigers Forever,’ joins a business model with hard science, and venture capitalists have pledged an initial $10 million to support the plan.

The program involves a dozen WCS field sites where an estimated eight hundred tigers live. Building on WCS successes in other places such as India’s Nagarahole National Park and the Russian Far East where tiger populations have rebounded, the plan aims to increase tigers numbers to approximately 1,200.

A major new report has shown that tigers have disappeared from 40% of their range in the last 10 years. See the report and distribution map.

The total population for tigers in the wild is unknown, though it is thought that perhaps 3-000-5,000 remain, though it maybe as few as 1500. This kind of accountability is a new concept for conservationists. ‘We’re putting our reputations on the line by being held accountable aiming to grow tiger numbers,’ said Rabinowitz, a director of WCS. ‘We have the knowledge, expertise and track record to accomplish this goal.’

It will be necessary to work closely with various authorities to gain knowledge on tiger numbers in places such as Myanmar’s Hukawng Valley – the world’s biggest tiger reserve – while stepping up anti-poaching activities in other places, including Thailand’s Huai Kha Khaeng and Thung Yai parks. In some areas, such as the Russian Far East, tiger numbers may not be able to increase from their current population of about 500. However India’s Western Ghats may be able to increase by as much as 60 percent. Some places in Laos and Cambodia, where tiger numbers are below ten have the potential to see tiger numbers jump four-fold.

Venture capitalists and WCS trustee Michael Cline and Tom Kaplan, both of the Panthera Foundation have pledgd $10 million over 10 years to fund the initiative.

‘I am very interested in supporting efforts that get results,’ stated Cline. ‘WCS’s Tiger’s Forever initiative brought together two key sides – superb people armed and an understanding of what it takes to save tigers. There have been many disappointments in the past, but I am betting that Tigers Forever will get results.’

Courtesy of WCS