Tiger Conservation
Case Study: Thailand's Tiger Conservation
Tigers 🐅 are rebounding in Thailand. July 29th is International Tiger Day, so here's some positive news for the big cat out of Thailand: Camera trapping data has revealed a steady recovery of tigers in the country's Western Forest Complex over the past two decades. The results were recently reported in a paper published in Global Ecology and Conservation. According to the paper, the tiger population grew on average by 4% per year in Hua Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which has the highest population of the cat in Thailand. "At the beginning, we didn’t have much confidence that it would be possible [to recover tiger numbers], but we’ve been patient,” anak pattanavibool, study co-author and Thailand country director at the Wildlife Conservation Society, told Carolyn Cowan of Mongabay News. The tiger recovery has been mirrored by a simultaneous increase in the numbers of the tigers’ prey animals, such as sambar deer and types of wild cattle.
Why are tigers bouncing back? Experts cite several factors: 🌳 Conservation efforts: Long-term conservation actions, including systematic ranger patrols to control poaching and efforts to boost tiger prey populations, have shown positive results. ⚖️ Law enforcement: The arrest and prosecution of several tiger-poaching gangs indicated that authorities were serious about addressing poaching. 🖥️ SMART Wildlife monitoring system: Thailand's implementation of the SMART (Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool) system has improved wildlife monitoring and antipoaching measures. 🍃 Investment: The Thai government invests significantly in conservation efforts, including protected areas. 🦌 Boosting prey populations: The recovery of prey species such as sambar deer, banteng, and muntjac deer within protected areas has supported the tiger population's growth. 📸 Camera trap surveys: Extensive use of camera traps has provided valuable data, documenting a steady increase in tiger numbers over the years. 🌿 Habitat Connectivity: Efforts to ensure extensive connected networks of safe forests facilitate tiger movement across landscapes, aiding genetic diversity and adaptability. The rebound in Thailand could help tigers recover in neighboring countries, says Anak. “Some NGOs set camera traps over the border in Myanmar, and they find some [tigers], but not in enough abundance to come into Thailand,” Anak told Cowan. “In reality, it will be the opposite situation, that tigers from here might be able to recover the tiger populations in Myanmar.” Worldwide, there are thought to be around 5,600 wild tigers, according to the Global Tiger Forum.
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