The worldwide number of wild tigers increased for the first time in more than a century, wildlife conservation groups said Monday.
Conservation groups and governments counted 3,890 tigers, up about 22 percent from an all-time low of about 3,200 counted in 2010,
The Associated Press reported.
Here are the numbers: Bangladesh, 106; Bhutan, 103; Cambodia, 0; China, more than 7; India, 2,226; Indonesia, 371; Laos, 2; Malaysia, 250; Myanmar, no data available; Nepal, 198; Russia, 433; Thailand, 189; Vietnam, fewer than 5.
The count, based on 2014 data, was announced before a meeting of ministers from 13 countries that pledged to double wild tiger numbers by 2022. More than half of the tigers are in India, where officials last year reported a 30 percent increase in the number of tigers between 2010 and 2014.
The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation is scheduled for April 12-14 in New Delhi.
"Tigers are some of the most vital and beloved animals on Earth," Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who joined the effort, said in a
conference statement. "I am so proud that our collective efforts have begun to make progress toward our goal, but there is still so much to be done."
Officials are uncertain whether the increase reflects an actual rise in the number of tigers or better survey methods, the AP said.
Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at the World Wildlife Fund, noted that “The countries where we’re seeing high-level commitment – Russia, India, Nepal and Bhutan – are the ones where we’ve seen the biggest progress,”
Scientific American reported.
Tigers are threatened by poachers, deforestation and development, Scientific American noted, and reaching the goal of 6,000 wild tigers will be a challenge.
“I think it’s doable, but it’s not going to happen without big mobilizations of additional resources and commitments,” Hemley said.
The total could be much higher than 3,890 because Myanmar, which had 85 wild tigers in 2010, hasn’t released its count,
The Times of India reported.
More than 700 tiger experts, scientists, and other stakeholders are expected to attend this week’s conference to discuss progress toward the goal and commit to next steps.
Twitter users were pleased by the increase.
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