THE WWF TIGER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE TIGERS ALIVE © Vivek R

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Tigers Alive THE WWF TIGER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE TIGERS ALIVE © Vivek R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 1

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

WWF and Tigers 4

WWF’s Tigers Alive Strategy in Brief 6

The Landscape Approach 7

Core Sites And Potential Core Sites – The Foundation For Recovery 8

Critical Actions in WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes 12

Eliminating the Illegal Tiger Trade 23

Reducing Demand 25

Securing Tigerlands –

Conclusion: Together We Can Save the Tiger 30 © Christopher Wong / WWF Malaysia © Christopher Wong front cover photo: © Francois Savigny / WWF © David Biene / WWF Germany 2 TIGERS ALIVE

Introduction At the turn of the 20th Century, there were an estimated 100,000 tigers living in a remarkably diverse set of habitats – from the Caspian Sea in the far west of Asia to northeast Russia and China, and as far east and south as the island of Bali in Indonesia.

In less than 100 years, however, the wild population is estimated to have fallen to as low as 3,200. Entire sub-species such as the Caspian, Javan and Balinese tigers have gone extinct while the south China tiger may have also disappeared from the wild. The tiger’s once wide distribution has shrunk by 93 percent and in most cases tiger populations are restricted to a few desperate refuges in these last remaining patches of habitat. The future for the tiger could not look bleaker. © Andy Rouse / WWF The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 3

Introduction The threats to tigers are well known, and action that answers both the challenges include poaching to feed the voracious of having a will and a way to stop the demand for tigers and their parts, tiger’s decline. New partnerships have poaching of their prey, direct killing by been forged. Government engagement communities living amongst tigers to is growing and !nancing options have revenge livestock losses or even the loss never been so broad and creative. of human life, and the rapid, extensive destruction of the grasslands and forests In response to the urgency of the crisis where tigers and their prey live. These and to grasp the opportunities just threats have changed very little in outlined, WWF has launched a revitalised nature, but have intensi!ed in recent programme, Tigers Alive. We aim to stop years while tiger populations and their the decline of the wild tiger and help habitats have shrunk. create and support the conditions to double the number of tigers in the wild in The world’s largest cat and most the next 12 years. e"ective land predator, the tiger dominates the forests in which it lives. Together with our partners, WWF is Since tigers need a constant supply of mobilising the full force of its vast network prey and, consequently, vast areas to — from the !eld biologists monitoring maintain robust populations, and o#en the tiger and its prey, trainers building pose a threat to local people and their the capacity of forest sta", and rangers livestock, the struggle for the tiger’s protecting critical sites for tigers, to the survival in the wild is one of the greatest !nancial experts working with donors challenges facing wildlife conservation and governments to create new funding today. mechanisms for tiger protection, and the policy and advocacy specialists working Nevertheless, even as the tiger is on the with decision makers. verge of extinction throughout most of its range, there is hope. The chance to turn the future around for the tiger has come – it may be our last. The last four decades of intensive tiger conservation e"orts have yielded extensive knowledge. We know how to protect, manage and monitor tiger and prey populations and their habitat. We know more about the nature of the trade – why people want to buy tigers and their parts. WWF is using this knowledge to work with our partners and take © Andy Rouse / WWF R. Sinha / WWf-Canon © Vivek 4 TIGERS ALIVE

WWF and Tigers

WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative operates this target in such a short period of time in 12 of the 13 tiger range countries – will require all those working on tiger Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, conservation to do things di#erently, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, better, and more intensively. The key Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. point is that unless we shi$ our e#orts, we will lose tigers from many of the Tiger conservation has been a priority landscapes in which they remain. To for WWF in these countries for the past lose this iconic species, which has decade, and more in some. For example, been revered for generations and still in India, WWF has been supporting tiger symbolises mystery and strength today – conservation since the 1970s. During the brilliance of nature and biodiversity in this time, we have gained valuable our increasingly small world – is a tragedy experience, developed expertise, we cannot a#ord to let happen on our and forged critical partnerships and watch. Only an upsurge of e#ort, working collaborations with various stakeholders. at higher levels of intensity, cooperation and accountability, will stop this scenario TRAFFIC, WWF’s joint programme becoming reality. with IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, specialises in WWF refuses to let the tiger slip away. We wildlife trade issues, working with external are dedicated to bringing the tiger back partners on the ground to address from the brink of extinction and doubling poaching and tra!cking issues. With the its numbers in the wild. increase in sophistication in the methods of poaching and illegal trade, it has become clear that we must do more, and "nd new ways to complement tried and tested methods.

Raising the bar WWF launched its revitalised tiger programme in 2010, the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar. We intend to support e#orts to stop the decline and double the number of tigers in the wild by the next year of the tiger in 2022.

Many ask if it is possible to raise the population from around 3200 to over 6000 in 12 short years. It is certainly possible, but it will require a profound shi$ in the approaches that have been tried until now, and intensifying and strengthening those that work. To reach © David Lawson / WWF-UK The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 5 Meeting the Challenge

WWF is well positioned to meet the ?**5*3.3,(445*6&8.43&3) challenges and opportunities facing tiger (411&'46&8.43 conservation. We have identi!ed six key The real success of our ambitious goal approaches in our tiger conservation will rely on an e"ective network both strategy that will help us achieve greater, within WWF and with external partners. more sustained impact. We will improve our capacity and that of our partners where needed and ? Strengthening ‘what we know works’ learn from the successful actions of We will intensify and strengthen others. approaches that we know work. Examples of these are the engagement ? 86*3,8-*3.3,5648*(8.43&3) of local communities living with or close *3+46(*2*38 We will strengthen protection of the to tigers, and the use and sharing of tiger, its prey and their habitat through e"ective tools such as for monitoring building capacity of !eld sta" of forest law enforcement. We will invest and wildlife agencies. Collaboration su#cient resources and stay the course with enforcement agencies responsible in the landscapes we have identi!ed for curbing poaching and illegal wildlife as our focal points. trade will also be a critical strategy.

?*:*145.3,8&6,*8)6.:*3 ?*:*6&,.3,,6*&8*6541.8.(&1;.11&3) 2*&796&'1*&3)+4(97*),4&17 &((4938&'.1.8< We will set clear and measurable goals In order to be truly successful, WWF so that we can focus our e"orts where and partners need to ensure tiger they will have the greatest impact, conservation is regarded as a priority at create measurable and accountable the highest levels of government and that senior o#cials are accountable work plans for each aspect of our for the recovery of the tiger. We have programme, and target resources already begun this, with our role at to actions critical to achieving our all three levels – local, national and objectives. international – and this work has expanded as of late. ?"7.3,1&8*788*(-3414,<84.2564:* @*1)7(.*3(* Today’s technology allows WWF to be better at measuring and monitoring tigers, their prey and habitat. For example, the increasing use of remote technology, such as camera traps and satellite imagery, helps us make better- informed decisions and monitor where our interventions are having an impact, or where we might need to adapt our strategies. © Des Syafrizal / WWF Indonesia 6 TIGERS ALIVE WWF’s Tigers Alive Strategy in Brief

The overarching goal of our Tigers Alive The strategy has three objectives strategy is to double the number of wild designed to help us reach the tigers by 2022. overarching goal.

We have a bold plan to galvanise r Objective 1 – Protecting tigers, their political will and take action to double prey and habitat the number of wild tigers in the next 12 We will ensure that by 2022, the 12 WWF years, focusing on 12 landscapes that some of the world’s top tiger experts managed through better enforcement, sound monitoring and adequate chances of increasing the world’s tiger populations across the species’ range. r Objective 2 – Eliminating the illegal tiger trade

tiger parts and derivatives to negligible levels by 2022, so that this illegal trade no longer threatens the survival of wild tiger populations.

r Objective 3 – Increasing political will, commitment and funding We will secure and maintain strong political and institutional support, as

conservation from now until 2022 and © Edwin Giesbers / WWF beyond.

Tiger Population Trend 45,000

Tigers Extirpated from Bali: 1940s 40,000

Tiger Population

35,000 Tigers Extirpated from Central Asia: 1970s Continued decline if threats are not adequately addressed

30,000 n o i t

a Tigers Extirpated l u

p from Java: 1980s

o 25,000 P

r e g i T

d 20,000 Tigers Extirpated e t

a from S. China: 1990s m i t s

E 15,000 2020 Goal: Tiger ? 10,000 Population Doubles to at least 6,000

5,000

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Year The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 7 WWF’s Tigers Alive Strategy in Brief The Landscape Approach

Tigers are “landscape” species – they need large areas with diverse habitats, free from human disturbance and rich in prey. In all the landscapes they live, tigers play a signi!cant role in the structure and function of the ecosystem on which both humans and wildlife rely.

Once covering vast areas, the tiger’s range has become fragmented. Tigers

now live in isolated patches scattered © Jakob Jespersen throughout most of their previous range. The larger, most important It is our long-term aim to restore areas of remaining habitat have been tigers within these landscapes, where listed, described and prioritised as ensuring their security and well-being is Tiger Conservation Landscapes (TCLs). feasible and where they will not cause These landscapes house some of the unavoidable con"ict with humans. richest biodiversity, the poorest human Focusing on these sites supports our populations, and the most critical tiger conservation objectives, and also watersheds and carbon repositories those of other WWF "agship species, on Earth. Tiger conservation here will such as rhinos and elephants, as well as have immeasurable bene!ts for overall other species we work on, including the biodiversity conservation, and will help snow leopard, Amur leopard, mainland meet many national and international clouded leopard, Sunda clouded obligations, such as those under the leopard, red panda, Eld’s deer, banteng Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and saola. and the Millennium Development Goals. We will apply our landscape approach The 12 WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes to tiger conservation in all 12 landscapes. WWF has identi!ed 12 landscapes where This is a holistic, multi-disciplinary and we will focus our attention. transboundary approach, that is also 1. Amur-Heilong – China and Russia direct, strategic and focused. It is based 2. Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong – India on a clear plan aimed to increase 3. Satpuda-Maikal – India tiger numbers in the most e#cient 4. Western Ghats-Nilgiris – India and e$ective manner, while taking 5. Greater Manas – Bhutan and India into account the need for human 6. Sundarbans – Bangladesh and India development. Working in partnership 7. Terai Arc – India and Nepal with stakeholders, we will manage 8. Forests of the Lower Mekong – the landscapes through strategic Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam interventions according to a system of 9. Dawna-Tennaserim – Myanmar and land-use zones designed to meet the Thailand needs of both tigers and the people 10. Banjaran Titiwangsa – Malaysia living and working in these areas. Please 11. Central Sumatra – Indonesia see the Tigers Alive Landscape map on 12. Southern Sumatra – Indonesia pages 16 and 17. © Vivek R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek 8 TIGERS ALIVE Core Sites And Potential Core Sites – The Foundation For Recovery

Tigers need large areas to maintain focusing e"orts on several Core Tiger robust groups of interactive Areas that have the highest densities and local populations (referred to as largest numbers of tigers in the world. metapopulations). This is why WWF works They include Kaziranga, Corbett and at the landscape level. However, within Kanha Tiger Reserves, Nepal’s Chitwan the landscapes, there are areas that are National Park, and Temenggor Forest more suitable for tigers than others in Reserve in Malaysia. that they have high prey densities and other favourable breeding conditions. There are also “Core Tiger Area WWF calls these areas “Core Tiger Areas” Extensions” that merit protection – areas (CTAs) and they are similar to what others contiguous with Core Tiger Areas and have de!ned as core breeding areas which contain equal or better habitat and source sites. capable of holding tigers in similar densities to the Core Tiger Areas to which These core areas, with at least 25 they are linked. The aim of providing breeding tigers each, are the beating them the same levels of management hearts of the WWF priority tiger and protection as Core Tiger Areas is landscapes. They produce tigers that so that they can be designated Core disperse and populate the rest of the Tiger Areas as soon as possible. Examples landscape. As the foundation for all of Core Tiger Area Extensions are Mae successful tiger conservation e"orts in the Wong in Thailand and Malaysia’s Balah landscape, they require the strictest level Forest Reserve. of protection. Last but not least, there are also some WWF regards these areas as the sites de!ned as “Potential Core Tiger highest priority for investment in terms Areas”. These are areas that have of protection and monitoring. We are lost most of their tigers but still have © Chris Hails / WWF-Canon The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 9

the potential to be Core Tiger Areas. With protection and management, the habitat and prey populations can recover, eventually allowing tigers to repopulate the area. These areas are the great hope for doubling the number of tigers and therefore are critical to WWF’s strategy.

A few places, such as Cambodia’s Eastern Plains, which today have no more tigers and are disconnected from remaining breeding populations, have the potential to become Core Tiger Areas. Reintroducing tigers into these areas is therefore the only option le!. However, as this is a very resource- intensive strategy, WWF will only consider it in areas with the greatest potential for recovery a!er the risks have been studied. © Chris Hails / WWF-Canon R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek 10 TIGERS ALIVE Understanding a WWF Tiger Landscape

The Dawna-Tenessarims Landscape in landscapes are designed. Core Tiger Thailand is one of 12 landscapes WWF’s Areas need to be quickly secured to Tigers Alive Initiative has identi!ed as ensure that source tiger populations and critical for the survival and increase of their prey are protected. Core Tiger Area wild tigers. We are using it here as an Extensions and Potential Core Tiger Areas example of our landscape approach. are the obvious next targets for attention along with Critical Movement Corridors, The large map shows how WWF has which are the most threatened linkages divided the landscape into management in the landscapes. units for a better understanding of what is necessary to facilitate its management. The Dawna-Tenessarims Landscape WWF is proposing a phased approach to illustrates the cohesive, holistic approach achieve the goal of doubling wild tiger that WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative numbers by 2022. The two smaller maps embraces. It shows how WWF is pulling indicate the landscape’s two distinct together resources at international, phases. regional and landscape levels. With our partners, we are working in the large The maps give a good overview of Tigers core area, together with the potential Alive areas of activity leading up to 2022 core areas in the north and south of and beyond. Areas of !rst focus are the this landscape, to support the Tx2 Core Tiger Areas, considered the sites (doubling of tiger numbers) target. Also that have the most breeding females highlighted in the maps is the immediate and so will act as the source of new tigers prioritisation of movement corridors as for the landscape. These breeding areas pivotal in maintaining the integrity of the are the pivots around which WWF’s tiger landscape. © Robert Steinmetz / WWF Thailand The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 11

Understanding a WWF Tiger Landscape © Craig Bruce / WWF-Malaysia 12 TIGERS ALIVE Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

1. Anti-poaching for communications, mobility and There must be zero tolerance for tiger e!ective patrolling. poaching if we are to prevent the tiger’s N Assisting local enforcement agencies extinction and recover wild populations. develop and maintain structured, Therefore, Core Tiger Areas and other landscape-level informant networks critical management units within the that will collect and pass on landscape, such as corridors, must be standardised information. strictly protected. N Applying standardised enforcement The mechanisms required for this zero monitoring systems using global tolerance approach vary according to positioning and other computer- the site, but WWF aims to ensure that based tracking systems. These tools in all sites it enable adaptive management and supports, sta! of information-led the forest and enforcement wildlife agencies by producing are provided monthly and with equipment, annual reports vehicles, training on a standard and operational set of indicators support. In some from each areas, these protected area. sta! collaborate WWF is rolling out with the military computerised to combat law enforcement poaching. monitoring systems In others, such as MIST © Mark Carwardine / WWF community (Management patrols and informant networks are Information So#ware Tool), or its also deployed, but these happen more alternative, such as M-STrIPES in India, regularly outside protected areas. to support enforcement managers in adapting their patrolling strategies to Other support WWF is providing in the enhance e$ciency and e!ectiveness. "ght against poaching includes: N Strengthening existing capacity by N Establishing strategic patrolling creating dedicated, highly trained systems that are driven by information mobile units in each landscape. These derived from informants and monthly quick-response teams, comprising enforcement review reports. personnel from multiple agencies wherever possible, are becoming elite N Standardising the training of all enforcement units operating both in enforcement units, be they sta! of and outside protected areas. forest and wildlife agencies, army, police or multi-agency units. N Working with the police and judiciary in raising awareness of wildlife crime N Providing critical infrastructure support prosecution. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 13 Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

As part of the strategic approach, we Community-based anti-poaching also have experts to advise our country operations outside tiger landscapes and "eld o#ces on how to develop and implement appropriate programmes Poachers o!en "nd it safer and easier to to support government counterparts in poach wildlife in forests outside protected areas because of the lax security anti-poaching and anti-wildlife tra#cking arrangements. In Nepal, WWF has formed operations. community-based anti-poaching units comprising local volunteers, to respond to this challenge. Members are trained on safe patrolling techniques and the importance of conservation and laws and policies pertaining to biodiversity conservation in Nepal. In many instances these units have even braved armed poachers and apprehended them. For example, in May 2005, one such unit apprehended four tiger poachers, handing them over to the authorities for prosecution. These units are one of the best examples of community stewardship of natural resources and biodiversity. © Anup Shah / WWF 14 TIGERS ALIVE

Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

2. Protected area management and capacity building Protected area support in Protected areas are the backbone to all Eastern Cambodia the landscapes and they cover most of the Core Tiger Areas. Thus, the success of The Eastern Plains complex in Cambodia forms the largest extent of naturally any e!ort to save tigers from extinction functioning deciduous forest habitat and restore wild populations will depend remaining in Southeast Asia. Its on the e!ectiveness of protected areas conservation potential is huge, due in part as sanctuaries for tigers and their prey. to the remoteness of the area, its sheer size, and its status as one of the region’s WWF has identi"ed the most important largest protected area complexes. The complex comprises three protected protected areas for the recovery of the areas – Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, tiger in each of our 12 focal landscapes. Mondulkiri Protected Forest, and Lomphat These include some of the most famous Wildlife Sanctuary. Together with the national parks and tiger reserves such Seima Protected Forest and Yok Don as Nepal’s Chitwan National Park and National Park in Vietnam, they represent the contiguous core of almost 1.5 million Kanha Tiger Reserve in India. With limited hectares of diverse protected area. resources available at any one time, WWF has now established a phased-plan When WWF began supporting the area to help increase the e!ectiveness of in 2004, Mondulkiri had only four unskilled these protected areas. We will work with rangers with no access to equipment. the authorities responsible for these areas Today it has 33 trained rangers, and adjacent Phnom Prich has 31. All the to ensure they have the sta! capacity, WWF-supported rangers are equipped skills, equipment and "nancing to protect with communications equipment, a the sites well. good "eld kit, cameras and GPS devices. All are trained in wide-ranging topics, Together with our partners, we are including law enforcement, "rst aid, "eld navigation and wildlife identi"cation. WWF developing a system of standards also built ten permanent outposts and for protected area management four sub-posts – almost all with electricity which we hope will be a hallmark of and running water – in the two protected performance quality that can help donor areas. Protection activities are monitored organisations identify the best places for through specialised databases for both their investment, and for management rangers and community rangers to enable e!ective adaptive management. A authorities to prove their ability to protect multi-agency, mobile enforcement team tigers. bolsters support to major "eld e!orts, focusing on addressing wildlife tra#cking in the province. A lawyer is also on hand to assist in prosecutions. © Craig Bruce / WWF-Malaysia The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 15 Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

3. Community outreach happens, the tiger inevitably comes E!ective protection and management o! worse. For tigers to survive in these of habitat, tigers and their prey will areas, resource management solutions depend heavily on the support of for local communities must be found. local communities living with or close WWF therefore works with communities to tigers. Where local communities use in our focal tiger landscapes to help the forests intensively for subsistence, them develop their livelihoods, reduce they are in direct competition for dependence on forest resources, and resources with the tiger. Where this increase their support for conservation. © Tshewang R.Wangchuk / WWF-Canon R.Wangchuk © Tshewang

Restoring a vital corridor with forest regeneration. At the same time, local support WWF implemented activities to improve livelihoods and generate income, reduce The Khata corridor in the Terai Arc dependence on forests, encourage use Landscape of Nepal is the only remaining of alternative energy sources like bio- forest patch connecting the country’s gas, improve cooking stoves, and build Bardia National Park with India’s small-scale irrigation schemes and other Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. This community infrastructure. To ensure connectivity provides a critical dispersal sustainability, WWF supports local capacity corridor for tigers. By 2001, however, the building by establishing local institutions to corridor was severely degraded, and further continue these e!orts, as well as providing degradation could lead to an irreversible managerial and technical skills training. break in the connectivity between the two protected areas, thus limiting the movement These e!orts have led to signi"cant of tigers across the landscape. improvements in Khata’s forest. A As local communities are true stewards comparison of conditions between 2001 and of natural resources and their ownership 2009 showed that the forest has increased of these resources critical for sustaining both in quality and extent. The increase in conservation, WWF initiated a forest forest quality and cover has turned Khata restoration programme with their into a functional wildlife corridor, with tiger participation. WWF facilitated a handover of pugmarks a common sight. Camera-traps degraded forests to the local communities have identi"ed numerous tigers, showing for management, and supported them in that Khata is functioning as a dispersal planting trees in fallow land, and controlling corridor for tigers between two protected grazing and forest "res to promote natural areas in Nepal and India. Tigers Alive Landscapes

1 Amur-Heilong – China and Russia Straddling the border between northeastern China and the Russian Far East, this landscape comprises forests of Korean Pine and Mongolian oak, which provide an important habitat for the Amur tiger and its prey as well as livelihood for the local economy. Illegal logging poses a major threat to the tigers. WWF is working to increase wild tiger numbers by establishing a contiguous, well-protected, well-managed habitat, including cross-border protected areas.

2 Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong – India Located in northeastern India, this landscape has an extensive network of protected areas providing shelter to the Bengal tiger and other wildlife such as Indian rhinos and Asian elephants. Challenges to tiger conservation include: retaliatory killing of tigers due to human-tiger con#ict; poaching of prey species; lack of adequate baseline data; inadequate protection in forests outside protected areas; illegal wildlife trade; and insu!cient support among local communities for conservation. WWF works with the Assam State Forest Department, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council, other government agencies and local NGOs to address these issues. 7 3 Satpuda-Maikal – India This landscape in central India has some of the country’s best 5 tiger habitat and best-known tiger reserves such as Kanha. It houses 30% of India’s total wild tiger population, and 13% of the global wild population. The main threats are habitat degradation, infrastructure development, and poaching of tigers and their prey. WWF aims to create tiger-friendly corridors between the reserves, and to provide strong support to combat poaching. This will be achieved by including tiger conservation measures and deploying dedicated mobile anti-poaching units 2 in corridor forests.

4 Western Ghats-Nilgiris – India This landscape in southern India comprises some of the country’s "nest and most contiguous tiger habitats. It represents some of the best areas where tiger numbers can be signi"cantly increased in the near future. Increased human activity, such as poaching, infrastructure development and burgeoning 3 tourism, is threatening breeding populations and leading to 6 habitat fragmentation. WWF supports capacity building of government agencies, anti-poaching e$orts, strengthening legal mechanisms through inter-state collaboration, policy/ advocacy to address unsustainable infrastructure development, and community engagement. 9 5 Greater Manas – Bhutan and India This large ‘tiger-friendly’ landscape is centred on the Manas World Heritage Site, bordering Bhutan and India’s Assam state. 4 It stretches up into the highlands of Bhutan where tigers co-exist with snow leopards. With good protection, tigers can breed and disperse safely throughout the landscape. Key requirements are: harmonising landscape management to directly promote tiger conservation; solid baseline data for tiger and prey population status; enhancing security of the Manas Tiger Reserve and Ripu- Chirang Forest Divisions; involving local communities and sharing conservation bene"ts with them; and active engagement and transboundary cooperation between Indian and Bhutanese o!cials to conserve tigers.

6 Sundarbans – Bangladesh and India The Sundarbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of WWF Tigers Alive Landscapes Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh, and famous for its unique vast mangrove forests and Bengal tigers. Living on a very varied diet including "sh and crustaceans, the tiger’s survival Other Tiger Conservation Landscapes here shows its remarkable versatility. Sea level rise from climate change and loss of silt, which constantly builds up the delta, WWF Tiger Ofﬁces threaten the landscape. Human-tiger con#ict and poaching of tiger and its prey are also big issues. Exploring approaches WWF country o!ces in the tiger range states are located in the capital cities to to adapt to climate change, in#uencing policies to develop a provide high-level policy support and central capacity building. WWF "eld o!ces new ‘vision’ for the delta, mitigating human-wildlife con#ict and in the focal tiger landscapes support teams on the ground, working with local livelihood improvement, are some of WWF’s activities here. partners including state, provincial and/or county governments. 12 Tigers Alive Landscapes

7 Terai Arc – India and Nepal Located in the shadow of the Himalayas, the Terai Arc stretches from Nepal’s Bagmati River in the east to India’s Yamuna River in the west. Its pioneering innovative conservation approaches have made this a model for the recovery of the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant and Indian rhino. Threats to the tiger, however, remain and these include poaching, human-tiger con!ict and 1 habitat loss and fragmentation. Key WWF activities include establishing community development schemes, mitigating human tiger con!ict through interim compensation schemes, anti-poaching activities, and strengthening enforcement and advocacy to ensure tigers remain in core areas and that critical corridors remain intact.

8 Forests of the Lower Mekong – Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam These forests are for the most part in Cambodia with small areas in Laos and Vietnam. Recent surveys have shown it is now unlikely there are many, if any, breeding tiger populations le" in this landscape. However, the vast remaining habitats and relatively low density of human populations present a unique opportunity for tiger conservation. Hence WWF considers it a restoration landscape with the possibility of reintroducing tigers. Since 2000, WWF has been developing a wildlife recovery area in the Eastern Plains of Cambodia. Field monitoring shows that the prey base is returning fast and WWF is replicating the approach in southern Laos.

9 Dawna-Tennaserim – Myanmar and Thailand This rugged landscape of vast forest wilderness along the Thailand-Myanmar border supports one of the world’s largest tiger populations. The tigers are, however, threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture expansion, uncontrolled logging and infrastructure development, and poaching. Since 1993, WWF has played a critical role in the area. It continues to be a leading partner in securing a permanent conservation legacy in the landscape.

10 Banjaran Titiwangsa – Malaysia This landscape, which includes Peninsular Malaysia’s longest mountain range and largest national park, supports the country’s largest tiger population. It lies next to Thailand’s Hala- Bala forest complex, which contains Thailand’s southernmost tiger populations. Poaching of tigers is a major threat. WWF works in the newly created Royal Belum State Park and the Temengor Forest Reserve, a production forest that still supports a substantial tiger population. WWF aims to make Temengor Malaysia’s #rst Tiger Reserve.

11 Central Sumatra – Indonesia Spanning the centre of Sumatra, this landscape connects 8 Kerinci-Seblat National Park, one of the world’s largest protected areas containing tigers, to the Bukit Tigapuloh National Park and Riau Province’s lowland peat-swamp forests that are rich in carbon. It is highly threatened by deforestation for oil palm, and pulp and paper plantations. WWF works to reduce pressure from habitat clearance through monitoring 10 forest crime, engaging with plantation owners on more forest- friendly behaviour, reaching out to local communities, and supporting government agencies on sustainable land-use planning and implementation. 11 12 South Sumatra – Indonesia The rich rainforests of southern Sumatra are critical for the Sumatran tiger, as well as the Sumatran rhinoceros and Asian elephant. Poaching and human-wildlife con!ict are major threats to the tigers. WWF is supporting anti-poaching teams with training, equipment, operational costs and salaries. It also works closely with local communities to reduce human-wildlife con!ict.

12 © Craig Bruce / WWF-Malaysia 18 TIGERS ALIVE

Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

4. Human-tiger con!ict mitigation tigers, as well as maintain community As tiger densities increase due to support for tiger conservation, WWF population recovery, or where there works on both livestock management is loss of available habitat, tigers more and emergency compensation and frequently come into contact with insurance schemes. As our goal is to humans. This leads to con!ict situations double wild tiger numbers, "nding where livestock and at times even solutions acceptable to the people living people are attacked. To reduce these alongside tigers is critical to the future encounters and stop revenge killings of recovery of the species.

Mitigating human-tiger con!ict given compensation almost immediately. Funds are routed through a local NGO and Many communities around tiger reserves compensation is usually paid within 24 to 48 in India are heavily dependent on their hours of the con!ict. Pre-inspection vigils are livestock for sustenance and income. For maintained to prevent retaliatory killings of a poor farmer, losing cattle o#en means tigers, and cattle carcasses are disposed losing a major livelihood source, and when of by burial or burning a#er inspection to livestock are killed by tigers, tigers are o#en prevent poisoning of the carcass (poisoned killed in retaliation. One solution to this carcasses are sometimes put out as bait to crisis is intervention by the government to kill the o$ending tiger). provide compensation to the farmer. Such interventions are generally slow and do The tragedy of human mortality from tigers not provide immediate relief to the farmer. is one that WWF always works to avoid. Therefore it is essential they are handled in a When it unfortunately occurs, we provide prompt manner to avoid retaliatory action. payments to the relatives to help with the funeral and its related costs. In 1997, in partnership with local NGOs, WWF initiated a cattle compensation scheme Due to the success of these approaches in around Corbett Tiger Reserve in India. Corbett, they have been extended to other Under the scheme, the livestock owner is tiger reserves in India. © Alain Compost / WWF-Canon The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 19 Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

5. Tiger and prey monitoring WWF uses science to inform us where and how to work, and how well we are doing. We monitor tigers and their prey at both site and landscape levels so as to continually evaluate and adapt our programmes to ensure tiger numbers are increasing in WWF-supported Core Tiger Areas.

The monitoring takes many forms depending on tiger density at the site. All our methods follow agreed international standards. This way, the monitoring results in the landscapes we focus on

are comparable with those from other Research Team © WWF Indonesia / Tiger landscapes, and we can then share lessons learned across borders and Tiger monitoring and research in a between organisations. challenging landscape

In most areas we use camera-traps to In Riau province in central Sumatra, forest clearance for large-scale oil palm, and photograph tigers, identifying individuals pulp and paper plantations, is rapidly by their unique stripe patterns. In some destroying both Core Tiger Areas and the areas we also use specially trained dogs corridors linking them. Research on tigers to !nd tiger scat so that we can identify here presents some unique challenges. individual tigers by conducting DNA Two key issues have emerged: Is our protection in Core Tiger Areas e#ective, analysis on the scat. Monitoring is always and how do tigers use this human- undertaken in close collaboration with dominated landscape? our government counterparts and o"en in partnership with other stakeholders, WWF has established two monitoring including local and international systems in the landscape – camera conservation organisations. trapping in three core areas (including Tesso Nilo National Park where results

have shown a stable to increasing Tiger science also helps us develop our tiger population) and an occupancy programmatic interventions. In Nepal, for technique for the entire landscape. example, we are radio collaring selected Both techniques have also been used to tigers to see how they move out from assess the various land uses by tigers in the landscape to determine how far they Core Tiger Areas and use corridors in the will venture into various non-natural forest landscape. The information will help us habitats. A ‘probability of occurrence’ manage corridors more e#ectively for map has helped us to develop the tiger. In Sumatra, Indonesia, we have management guidelines for large-scale been studying the various land uses of plantations. These guide the plantations in the tigers in a fragmented landscape. land management in a way that can best facilitate the passage of tigers through In Malaysia, we are monitoring tigers in their land and between Core Tiger Areas commercial forestry areas to understand to maintain a genetically healthy tiger how well they are doing outside population protected areas. © Alain Compost / WWF-Canon 20 TIGERS ALIVE Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

6. Habitat management and Connecting habitats is, however, landscape connectivity the most important consideration Tigers need a lot of prey, which in turn in the long-term. Tigers need room need high quality habitat to thrive. to expand, but their habitats are Maintaining high quality habitat is becoming increasingly fragmented and therefore essential for the tiger’s survival. unsuitable. WWF has mapped each Habitat degradation due to human of our focal tiger landscapes in detail, disturbance, livestock grazing, logging or including infrastructure development invasive species is a problem throughout plans and projects which will fragment all the landscapes and even in most of tiger habitat. Using these maps to drive the key protected areas. WWF works strategic interventions, WWF invests in with local partners to remove the factors determining ways to protect critical hindering tiger population growth, and corridors, advocates for tiger habitats implements habitat restoration that to be considered in spatial planning helps in prey recovery. We also work with processes, and seeks economic and scientists and managers to design habitat social incentives for protecting these vast plans and support restoration e!orts in forests and maintaining connectivity. protected areas where possible. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 21

Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

WWF recognises that infrastructure

development is an essential part of Forest certi!cation in northeast China economic growth in many tiger range countries. We therefore promote Tigers o!en cross the border from Russia the practice of “smart” or “green” into northeast China, where large tracts of forest provide the potential for tiger infrastructure. This practice ensures recovery. However, local forestry practices that plans for roads etc., incorporate have reduced fodder, and o!en led the need for habitat connectivity, and to dense forests empty of tiger prey. promotes tiger and prey conservation. WWF has been promoting sustainable Ultimately, smart green infrastructure forest management and certi"cation should help rather than hinder under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). In 2003 and 2005, the area’s "rst tiger conservation in places where two demonstration sites acquired FSC development is unavoidable. certi"cates. By 2009, with FSC becoming widely accepted by government, scienti"c academies and the forestry industry, more than a million hectares of forest in northeast China were certi"ed. Maintaining the integrity of a tiger More forest areas will be FCS-certi"ed corridor via legal intervention in the coming years, thus increasing the chances for tiger prey populations to The Chilla-Motichur corridor connects rebound to healthy levels and enticing forests on both sides of the River Ganga tigers into the region. We are also working within Rajaji National Park, located on with partners, including the logging the western most edge of the Terai Arc industry, to develop “tiger-friendly” Landscape in India. The narrow corridor forest management guidelines to guide is vital in enabling the movement of large FSC-certi"ed concessions on how best to mammals between the forests. manage their forest for tigers and their prey. A busy national highway and a rail track pass through the corridor, while an army ammunition dump lies in its centre. The government of India is relocating the ammunition dump. The highway and rail track, however, still pose a serious impediment to the free movement of animals. A decision to widen the highway had threatened the corridor, but pressure from conservationists led to two con#icting remedies being proposed – an 800-metre #yover for vehicles and two 100-metre overpasses for animals. The latter option would have led to a permanent break in the corridor. WWF lobbied hard with partner organisations and government agencies against construction of the overpasses. A!er an intense legal battle, India’s Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of the vehicle overpass, thus protecting Chilla-Motichur. © Dipankar Ghose © Andy Rouse / WWF 22 TIGERS ALIVE

Critical Actions In WWF Priority Tiger Landscapes

7. Finding innovative solutions to The work of these sta$ is very o"en about local problems making sure government programmes, While WWF takes a large-scale, such as the provision of bio-gas stoves, strategic view of landscape-based tiger are applied in strategic locations, conservation, it is well understood that or #nding partners who will establish every single component of this approach incentives like ecotourism ventures for requires intensive long-term investment. protecting tigers and prey. Armed with Stopping the killing of tigers, maintaining proven entrepreneurial skills, these sta$ prey populations, retaining high quality look for opportunities and partners habitat and ensuring local communities to ensure successful initiatives in the do not come into con!ict with tigers landscapes. Very o"en WWF’s role is to all require innovative solutions. These #nd a solution and demonstrate it so that solutions are very o"en dependent on local players have the con#dence and #nding enough resources – or, simply, know-how to do it themselves. O"en too sustainable #nance. it is about #nding those with an incentive WWF therefore invests in sta$ in each to protect tigers and working closely with landscape to #nd long-term mechanisms them, even though they may not be that will facilitate sustainable solutions. conventional conservation practitioners.

Working with hunters in the Russian Far

About 80 percent of the Amur tiger’s range in Russia overlaps with hunting estates. The density of tiger prey, such as deer and boar, in these estates, correlates directly with the density of tigers. Higher prey densities help both tigers and hunters. Since 2004, WWF has been working with model hunting estates, helping to strengthen management plans, providing training and equipment to rangers, creating mineral licks for ungulates, tilling foraging #elds, and developing ungulate feeding grounds. As a result, the number of ungulates has increased two to threefold within #ve years, leading to a doubling of tiger numbers in these estates. The success of this approach has led to its wide replication in about 2.5 million hectares of Amur tiger habitat, or 15 percent of the tiger’s range in Russia. © Tshewang R. Wangchuk / WWF-Canon R. Wangchuk © Tshewang © WWF Russia The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 23 Eliminating The Illegal Tiger Trade

Poaching of and tra!cking in tigers target groups and stakeholders. These are major threats to the survival of the interventions are focused on: species. Wild tiger numbers will continue to decline towards the point of no ? Trade research: Gathering information return if concerted action is not taken to on illegal trade that links poaching of combat poaching, arrest tra!ckers and tigers to the trade chain that supplies signi"cantly reduce demand for tiger end-use markets, and using this parts and derivatives. information to help target interventions.

WWF – particularly our o!ces in tiger ? Law enforcement support: Working range and consumer countries and the with enforcement agencies, TRAFFIC programme – is scaling up e#orts prosecutors and the judiciary, through to eliminate tra!cking in tiger parts and sta# training, capacity building etc., so derivatives. The goal is to ensure that as to ensure e#ective intelligence-led by 2022, this illegal trade is at negligible law enforcement and prosecution. levels and no longer a threat to wild tiger populations. ? Advocacy: In$uencing policy makers to bring about strong policies and Eliminating the illegal tiger trade must legislation protecting the tiger, and the be tackled through a combination allocation of adequate resources to of interventions aimed at di#erent allow for e#ective implementation. © Adam Oswell / WWF-Canon 24 TIGERS ALIVE

Eliminating The Illegal Tiger Trade

Trade research extinction, it is essential that wildlife law TRAFFIC’s research activities are aimed enforcement capacity in the tiger range at di!erent groups of actors across the and consumer countries is raised to a trade chain. Starting with landscape-level level where it can compete with the poachers, it moves via local middlemen crime syndicates operating in the tiger and processors through to high-level landscapes. To serve as an adequate traders, ending with retailers. TRAFFIC deterrent, the number of successful conducts strategic criminal investigations and research and market e!ective prosecutions of surveys, monitors law those involved in poaching of enforcement e!orts and tra#cking in tigers must (seizures, arrests increase. and prosecutions), and tracks trends in We will expand support consumer demand. to sensitise and build the The focus is on the capacity of enforcement 12 WWF priority tiger and judicial agencies in the

landscapes, as well © Wil Luiijf / WWF-Canon tiger range countries. We as key trade hubs will continue to work with and transport routes, including those prosecutors and the judiciary to help in China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, develop model cases for prosecution, Laos, Vietnam, the Golden Triangle and encourage governments to (northeast Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, establish specialised, inter-agency China), and the trade routes from wildlife law enforcement units. Providing South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, support for governments to improve Nepal), Southeast Asia, and the Russian cooperation with neighbouring countries Far East, o"en through transit countries, on transboundary smuggling is a critical to end-use markets. This knowledge aspect of this work, and includes the enables informed engagement with further development of regional wildlife law enforcement agencies to catalyse law enforcement networks, such as action against perpetrators of tiger the Association of Southeast Asian tra#cking. Publication of strategic Nations Wildlife Enforcement Network $ndings and analyses helps to motivate (ASEAN WEN) and the South Asia Wildlife political will to increase enforcement Enforcement Network (South Asia WEN). capacity, e!ort and e!ectiveness. Advocacy Law enforcement support E!ective law enforcement requires strong Government agencies responsible policies and legislation. Governments of for wildlife law enforcement in tiger tiger range and consumer countries must range countries o"en su!er from lack be made aware of the importance of of capacity to combat tiger tra#cking stepping up e!orts to combat poaching e!ectively. Also, the changing and tiger tra#cking, through establishing dynamics of wildlife crime necessitate e!ective laws, implementing relevant regular enhancement of skills and international legislation, such as the knowledge. Lack of political will, Convention on International Trade in $nancial resources, and inter-agency Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and and inter-governmental cooperation Flora (CITES), and allocating su#cient are all factors that contribute to failing resources to their law enforcement law enforcement. To save the tiger from agencies. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 25

Reducing Demand

E!orts to combat poaching of zoos, mainly located in China and and tra"cking in tigers need to be Southeast Asia, are fuelling demand for complemented by campaigns to reduce tiger parts and derivatives. Illegal trade the demand for tiger products. The from these captive sources mainly feeds demand is driven by a highly diverse the markets for products such as tiger range of consumers from di!ering bone wine and tonics, and tiger meat. cultures and countries. Sectors of As this in turn fuels demand for wild demand include: tiger parts and derivatives, strategies to N tiger skins for use as garments or reduce demand must address this issue. display in China and Russia; N tiger teeth and claws sold as curios in TRAFFIC has a strong body of knowledge Sumatra, Indonesia; based on consumer behaviour research N tiger bones long used for traditional which has driven awareness campaigns medicines in China, Vietnam and by in China, India, Vietnam and elsewhere the global Asian diaspora; and in Asia. An alliance with the highest N tiger meat consumption in several levels of government in Vietnam countries. has driven a campaign speci#cally As solutions-based approaches for one targeting government o"cials and group may not necessarily work for business people, as major sectors of the another, an informed range of strategies market, not to consume illegal wildlife. must be employed. Engaging the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) Intensive captive breeding facilities and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (‘tiger farms’) and some ill-managed universities in China to stop the use of © Wil Luiijf / WWF-Canon 26 TIGERS ALIVE Reducing Demand

tiger parts in TCM is showing real progress. These partnerships o!er opportunities to Controlling Tiger Tra!cking in Nepal isolate further the small group of users and businesses pro"ting from tra#cking Nepal has been identi"ed as both a in tiger products. TRAFFIC’s paper source and transit country for illegal trade in tiger parts from South Asia on demand reduction, Addressing into the Tibetan Autonomous Region Competing Demands (see www.cites. and elsewhere in China. Tiger skins for org/common/cop/15/inf/E15i-46.pdf), traditional Tibetan costumes, tiger bones co-authored with a leading World for traditional medicine and tonic wines, Bank economist, has been recognised and a host of other illegal wildlife products taken from India and Nepal’s tiger by partners and CITES Parties as a reserves, are ferried through the country comprehensive analysis of the market’s by a covert network of middlemen from complexity. Kathmandu and elsewhere. Having a strong wildlife trade control programme Our research and knowledge, as in Nepal, with strong connectivity to both well as capacity to implement major India and China, is therefore essential. campaigns put us in our unique position WWF supports Nepal’s government in to address the demand issue. Concerted recruiting informants at strategic trade and coordinated action is, however, points and mobilising a network of needed on multiple fronts at a scale informants across the country. This support and intensity far in excess of what has led enforcement agencies in Nepal to make several seizures and apprehend has been attempted to date. We are notorious poachers and wildlife tra#ckers. therefore developing a holistic demand reduction strategy including campaigns WWF has also been active in supporting aimed at tiger product consumers in training in judicial and enforcement the premier market destinations of agencies, including police and customs China and Vietnam, as well as other o#cers, on di!erent aspects of wildlife crime and wildlife trade law. We are Southeast Asian countries with ethnic working with South Asian governments Chinese communities, such as Thailand to implement the goals of the South and Malaysia. Key stakeholders to target Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network, set include the WFCMS, with its 157 members up a%er a groundbreaking agreement in 75 countries, the TCM universities, in Kathmandu between South Asian countries in May 2010. business and in$uential community groups.

Success with this demand reduction approach is achieved only when it is integrated with complementary e!orts in intelligence-led law enforcement, as well as political will and policy improvements. Hence, we will also leverage high-level government commitment, and messaging will remain a critical component of increasing awareness of policies, regulations and penalties against illegal tiger trade and R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek consumption. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 27 Securing Tigerlands – Saving Tigers and So Much More

In the short term, tiger conservation is required to protect a Core Tiger Area. necessarily dominated by the need Therefore, our actions at the landscape to secure the remaining small pockets level are designed to have the widest of habitat supporting the last wild impact, and focus on maintaining populations. In the longer term, the plan connectivity and large-scale habitat is to restore tigers across the 12 WWF integrity rather than the intensive priority landscapes. Reaching the goal of protection and monitoring required doubling the number of wild tigers in the within a Core Tiger Area. next 12 years and further increasing the population a!er 2022 will require intact As a #rst step, tiger habitat needs forest landscapes. These landscapes should be considered in development are under threat mainly by the planning. WWF has developed a “Tiger expansive infrastructure development Filter”, a participatory computer-based across Asia and habitat clearance for system for modeling the best areas agriculture, forestry and other types of for conserving tigers and the impact land development. Once gone, these of planned or proposed land-use landscapes will not be easy to replace. changes or infrastructure development So e"orts must be made to retain them in these areas. This tool is available to now. national and international development organisations and large businesses for It is impossible to invest across an entire use in planning and in strategic and local landscape the same level of resources environmental impact analyses. © Vivek R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek 28 TIGERS ALIVE

Securing Tigerlands – Saving Tigers and So Much More

Finding optimum solutions for tigers Protecting the 12 WWF priority tiger and development landscapes will provide for the Although infrastructure projects comprise expansion of wild tiger populations. If a trade-o! between service bene"ts well managed, these landscapes can and environmental costs, the "nal result also provide many ecosystem bene"ts need not be one of environmental losses. to humans, including clean water, non- In fact, infrastructure projects can be timber forest products (such as fruits, nuts, vehicles for improving institutional and mushrooms and herbs), and genetic legal frameworks for natural resource materials for crops and pharmaceutical management and leveraging funds for products. They can also deliver essential conserving bu!ering against otherwise natural disasters unprotected and promote habitat. climate change Including adaptation. They tiger habitat can also potentially considerations provide economic in infrastructure bene"ts in the projects requires form of ecosystem an appreciation services, sustainable for the resource use and extent of the ecotourism. As such,

services these Laman / WWF © Tim protection of the projects could landscape’s natural provide to the environment and local habitat can contribute to poverty communities. Compensation schemes, reduction by providing a safety net of such as transfer mechanisms from subsistence resources for the poor. WWF infrastructure projects to conservation therefore helps to mobilise resources funds, are one way that such projects for the protection and management can do measurable good for tiger of these landscapes so as to provide conservation. WWF is working to establish homes for tigers into the future. We do so legal mechanisms and pilot examples of in the knowledge that these investments such funds across the tiger’s range. advance a far wider set of bene"ts.

Tigers as a premium on REDD+ projects resources and the biodiversity resources found in forests. REDD+ will be able to Money may not grow on trees, but support protection of critical tiger forest forests can be worth a lot more now if we areas and restoration of corridors between value the carbon they store. That is the these core areas. WWF, the World Bank and idea behind the "nancing mechanism other partners are investigating a further, called REDD, or reducing emissions from more innovative approach that o!ers deforestation and degradation. REDD rewards individuals, communities, projects carbon o!set opportunities coupled with and countries that reduce greenhouse gas tiger conservation. Paying a premium price emissions by protecting vital forests. New for these o!sets may be attractive to those proposals for REDD, called REDD+, aim to also concerned with climate change and ensure that the mechanism protects carbon tiger conservation. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 29 Securing Tigerlands – Saving Tigers and So Much More

Conservation leases in the Russian Far East Amur tigers live in these areas, which are now supported by a long-term conservation The Korean Pine forests in the Russian Far lease of 49 years. WWF’s management East’s Amur region are critical for the Amur recommendations allow only a minimum Tiger. These forests contain vast amounts amount of logging, thus saving the best of carbon that would be released into the tiger habitat and millions of tons of carbon. atmosphere if they were destroyed. Pine WWF is able to control all forestry operations nuts from the forests are harvested and of the leaseholders, and supports !ve ranger sold by local communities and companies. brigades, providing them with cross-country The nuts are also a staple food for deer vehicles, snowmobiles and motorboats. and pigs – the tiger’s prey. Over-harvesting Inspectors are also provided with the of the nuts ultimately leads to less prey required !eld gear, while two stationary for the tigers. WWF, in partnership with and three mobile checkpoints have been the Government of Germany, KfW (the established to control entry into the areas. German Bank of Reconstruction) and local Due to the success of this approach, WWF is companies, secured the recovery and seeking partners to expand the programme sustainable management of four Korean to the other 400,000 hectares of Korean cedar pine nut harvesting zones totaling pine nut harvesting zones in key Amur tiger over 600,000 hectares. At least 25 to 30 habitat.

Tigers and the Asia Century growth can present challenges in that it can lead to deforestation and habitat The 13 tiger range countries have been destruction, many Asian economies and addressing tiger and habitat management governments are now strong enough to challenges for decades. But with many intervene and e"ect real change in the of the Asian economies in rapid growth, race to save tigers. All that is needed is the and several moving to developed nation will and political momentum. WWF pledges status, there are concerns over the impact of these developments on biodiversity to continue our work with Asian countries on the one hand, and awareness of the on !nding solutions to the challenges their opportunity that greater wealth can bring rising economies present for biodiversity and to conservation, on the other. While rapid people. © Hartmut Jungius / WWF-Canon 30 TIGERS ALIVE

Together We Can Save The Tiger

The tiger’s survival remains perilous. The meeting the ever changing dynamics epitome of beauty, mystery and power, of tiger conservation and achieving the its worldwide status as a representation ambitious goal of doubling the number of nature’s pure and graceful essence of wild tigers by 2022. fascinates us all. A world without tigers is unimaginable. Yet it could happen in just Working with a wide range of partners, two decades or less if we don’t redouble sharing knowledge, skills and resources, our e!orts and work new strategies and and implementing diverse but innovation into our conservation plans. complementary activities, we can truly make conservation history by saving We can save the tiger – with the right tigers and, in doing so, save much mindset, political will, and, above all, more. We can recover and double their by working together. Strengthening numbers, and ensure tigers and humans existing partnerships and forging new co-exist harmoniously for generations to ones are therefore vital to WWF in come.

The Global Tiger Initiative drive consultations and dialogue with tiger range countries to garner support The World Bank has pledged to take for tiger conservation at the highest proactive steps towards conserving the levels. It is hoped that this alliance will tiger. In 2008, it helped form an ambitious lead to major partnerships to save tigers, and powerful alliance to save wild tigers such as the World Bank reaching out to from extinction. Known as the Global Tiger other lending institutions to implement a Initiative, it is a collaboration between framework for smart green infrastructure governments, major conservation NGOs, so that infrastructure projects do not harm including WWF, and international agencies. tigers and their landscapes, but instead do Through this alliance, the World Bank will measurable good for tiger conservation. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 31 Together We Can Save The Tiger

Our partners and development plans. We facilitate transboundary e#orts among tiger range ?4(&1(42293.8.*7 countries. As stewards of natural resources, local communities are powerful allies in the ?8-*67 !ght against poaching, and resolving WWF collaborates with both national and conservation issues, such as land and international NGOs on the ground, at the habitat management, and human- policy level and in mobilising support from wildlife con"ict. the general public for tiger conservation. ?4:*632*387&3))*:*1452*38 &,*3(.*7 ?97.3*77&3).3)9786< We work with governments, development Strategic partnerships forged with this agencies and international institutions sector can create innovative win-win to ensure tiger conservation is included solutions for corporations and tiger in national and regional economic conservation.

4963*<84 8*8*67'96,&3)*<43) As a key player in the process, WWF facilitated dialogue within and between The process began with the !rst global tiger range countries, worked with their workshop on tiger conservation in governments and other partners to Kathmandu in October 2009, and develop national tiger recovery plans, and culminated with the Heads of Government garnered donor countries’ support for tiger International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg conservation. WWF will remain active in this in November 2010. Tow other meetings process as it evolves, and continues to work followed in the Kathmandu workshop: with governments and our partners towards the 1st Asian Ministerial Conference on a living Global Tiger Recovery Programme Tiger Conservation in Hua Hin, Thailand in that is both holistic and e#ective in reaching January 2010, which adopted the goal of the goal of doubling the number of wild doubling willd tiger numbers, and the Pre- tigers by 2022. Tiger Summit Partners’ Dialogue meeting in Bali in July 2010, which saw the !rst dra% of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme. © Vivek R. Sinha / WWF-Canon © Vivek © James Kemsey / WWF-Malaysia 32 TIGERS ALIVE

Together We Can Save The Tiger

Celebrating Tiger Conservation Heroes

There are many tiger conservation heroes – people who are passionate about saving tigers, always working above and beyond the call of duty. We feature three here and take the opportunity to salute all those who are working tirelessly to save this magni!cent animal for humankind.

?-&)&.!-&69 Quick-thinking villagers raised a din and frightened the Bhadai Tharu lives animal away. A badly mauled Bhadai was rushed to adjacent to the Khata hospital. Although the doctors managed to save his Corridor in western life, he lost an eye. Despite the trauma, Bhadai is still Nepal’s Bardia district. committed to leading the management of the Gauri He relies on the forest Mahila Community Forest User Group as its chair. He is for !rewood and grass remarkably composed about his encounter with the to supplement his carnivore, “Animals are animals so we humans have to livelihood. Bhadai’s give them space and learn to coexist. We all depend © WWF Nepal life is not very di#erent on the forest so we must conserve and protect it.” from those who live Bhadai is devoted to the community forest and believes on the fringe areas of that by conserving the forest, local communities can national parks, except that he survived a tiger attack, reap other bene!ts. In 2004, WWF awarded Bhadai with lived to tell the tale, and still champions conservation. the Abraham Conservation Award for his outstanding On the morning of 6 January 2004, when he was with a contributions to biodiversity conservation in Nepal. group cutting grass in the forest, a tiger sprang on him.

?3&841<*14: participates in patrolling, From about 50 individuals just a few decades ago, wildlife censuses and !re the Amur tiger population in the Russian Far East and prevention activities in northeastern China today stands at around 450. The the huge area of Russia’s increase and current stable population of Amur tigers Primorsky Province where can in part be attributed to the tireless e#orts of Anatoly Amur tigers are found. Belov. In 1994 Anatoly became Director of the Barsovy He also has worked with Wildlife Refuge, and in 1998 was supported by WWF the authorities in the to start the special anti-poaching brigade called neighbouring Chinese “Leopard.” Since then, he and his team have caught province of Jilin to patrol approximately 1,000 poachers, con!scated hundreds of along the Russia-China

weapons, and brought dozens of criminal cases against border, removing snares © WWF Russia those who killed tigers, Amur leopards and their prey. He and traps, and ensuring the arrest of poachers. For is still going strong today, even a"er three attacks from his valiant e#orts and invaluable service to Amur tiger poachers where he su#ered bullet wounds. Anatoly conservation, WWF in 2010 gave Anatoly its highest has stretched his e#orts beyond the call of duty. He conservation honour, the Duke of Edinburgh award.

?.77&61. Corbett. He wakes at 5 am for his !rst patrol, following It is safe to say that up with another in the a"ernoon. On days when the Nissar Ali probably park is closed to tourists, he continues his patrols, doesn’t remember sometimes ferrying rations to camps in the interior the last time he went or keeping an eye on the forest with !eld sta#. He into town to watch a has had many encounters with tigers, and enjoys movie. The mahout watching mothers bring up their cubs. “They even at India’s Corbett play hide and seek with you, and o"en win,” he Tiger Reserve loves chuckles. Like Corbett’s tigers, he has survived rough © Ameen Ahmed the forest, and has forests and rough times, but he cannot imagine any dedicated his life to other life. He continues to spend all his time protecting protecting tigers and other wildlife. This dedication the tiger and Corbett’s wealth of other wildlife. He goes way back to 1973, when he walked for over a would still rather watch the big cat’s life play out in month just to get to Corbett from his home. Since front of him, than actors on a silver screen in a building then, he has spent the vast majority of his life patrolling walled o# from nature. The WWF Tiger Conservation Initiative 33

Together We Can Save The Tiger © Vivek R. Sinha / WWf-Canon © Vivek WWF Tigers Alive Initiative c/o WWF Malaysia 49 Jalan SS23/15, Taman SEA, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: ++ (603) 7803 3772 Fax: ++ (603) 7803 5157 Email: [email protected] Cert no. SCS-COC-003429 Website: www.panda.org/tigers