Increased tiger footage in key areas
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced that more wild tigers have been spotted by camera traps in India, Thailand and Russia this year than any previous year.
This shows significant progress for tigers, whose population numbers have been at an all-time low recently due to habitat destruction, loss of prey and poaching. The society estimates that there are only 3,200 left in the wild.
A heightened number of tigers reflects better law enforcement, protection of additional habitat and strong government partnerships, according to WCS.
In the Western Ghats region of India, over 600 individuals have been identified over the last decade by WCS camera traps and, in other areas of southwestern India, surplus young tigers are spilling out into forest-reserves.
New tiger reserves in India have seen numbers increase by as much as 50 per cent after tackling neglect and chronic poaching.
Thailand's authorities have recently caught a notorious poaching ring, and convicted the gang leaders. With sentences of up to five years, they were given the most severe punishments for wildlife poaching in the country's history.
Declaring Central Ussuri Wildlife Refuge a new protected area for tigers just this autumn, Russia is working with China's authorities for further protection.
WCS President and CEO Cristián Samper said: "Tigers are clearly fighting for their very existence, but it's important to know that there is hope. Victories like these give us the resolve to continue to battle for these magnificent big cats.
"While the news about tigers has been bleak, these recent developments clearly show how smart strategies and strong partnerships are ensuring tigers are saved for centuries to come."
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