India and Bhutan have reported significant increases in their wild tiger populations, marking a conservation success for both countries. India now has an average total of 3,682 tigers, accounting for 75% of the world's wild tiger population, BBC reports.
This is a remarkable turnaround for India, considering its tiger numbers had plummeted to less than 2,000 in the 1970s due to poaching and habitat loss. The country's tiger population has been growing at an annual rate of 6%.
Similarly, Bhutan celebrated a 27% rise in its tiger population since its last count in 2015, recording a total of 131 tigers. The survey in Bhutan found evidence of tigers breeding at different altitudes, indicating a healthy ecosystem that could support regional tiger populations.
The news comes on International Tiger Day and has been well-received, especially as the global wild tiger population has dropped by approximately 95% over the past century, making tigers an endangered species. The decline is attributed to factors such as habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.
Despite the positive news, there are challenges to address, particularly in mitigating human-tiger conflict. As tiger populations increase, more tigers are venturing outside protected areas in search of food, leading to conflicts with local communities. In India, over 100 people were killed in tiger attacks between 2019 and 2021, and similar concerns exist in Bhutan.
Conservation efforts in both countries are crucial to ensuring the coexistence of tigers and humans. Stuart Chapman, who leads the WWF's tiger preservation initiative, emphasized Bhutan's potential to become a global champion in supporting coexistence between tigers and people. While the increase in tiger populations presents new challenges, it also highlights the importance of continued conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures and preserve the delicate ecosystems they inhabit.
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