Saving Tigers in the Wild

 Twenty years ago, many tiger experts proclaimed that the tiger would be extinct in the wild by the year 2000.  The Wildlife Conservation Society has worked hard to prove them wrong.  The unique WCS approach has helped to refocus tiger conservation efforts on site-based research.  By improving our knowledge of threats to tigers and of basic tiger ecology, WCS is working to save the tigers that exist and improve their conditions to expand.  Our goal is to have 100,000 tigers in the wild by 2101. 

The Human Aspect
Tigers are the most potent symbol of Asia.  Every twelve years is the "Year of the Tiger" in China.  It is just this reverence that endangers them.  Illegal tiger parts are used in Traditional Chinese medicine with the belief that the user gains some of the strength and virility of the tiger. Illegal poaching has nearly depleted China's tigers and poachers have moved to neighboring countries to provide the commercial trade. Additionally, as human encroachment divides traditional tiger habitat, tigers become more separated and lose contact with others to mate.

Threats
The biggest threats to tigers are loss of habitat, loss of prey, commercial hunting, and human/tiger conflict.  However, the ultimate threats to tigers must equally be overcome to have any long-term success.  These include the wildlife trade, lack of political will and commitment to save tigers, and political instability.  The governments of tiger countries must commit to saving tiger habitat and prevent hunting of tiger prey in these reserved habitats.