Tiger Population On The Rise For The First Time After 100 Years

After the continuous decline in tiger population since the 1900s, tiger conservation groups and national governments have announced that the population of these big cats has finally experienced an increase for the first time in 100 years.

According to the latest tally compiled from recent data and surveys of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global population of tigers has increased to 3,890 from 3,200 in 2010. In 1900, the global population of tigers is said to be more than 100,000.

In a press release, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Global Tiger Forum (GTF) attributed the increase of tigers' global population to improved surveys, enhanced protection and increased number of tigers in Russia, Nepal, Bhutan and India.

At present, more than half of the tigers' global population can be found in India with more than 2,000. Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh and Bhutan have tiger population in three-digit figures.

China, Vietnam and Laos have less than 10 tigers left in their countries. On the other hand, Cambodia, according to a previous report, has no more tigers left. There are no available data on how many tigers are left in Myanmar.

The above-mentioned countries are part of the Global Tiger Initiative that aims to double the total population of tigers by 2020. As part of this goal, the Royal Government of Cambodia is planning to reintroduce the big cats in their forest.

According to Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, the increase of global tiger population only shows that collaborative efforts between governments, local communities and conservationists can make a great difference.

In a report from the Washington Post, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCarpio also expressed his happiness in the recent increase in tiger population.

"Tigers are some of the most vital and beloved animals on Earth," said DiCarpio. "I am so proud that our collective efforts have begun to make progress toward our goal, but there is still so much to be done."