Major International Bodies for Protecting Tigers in India and Worldwide

Added: 04/12/2006

Taking into consideration the fact that the tiger population has dropped from 100,000 in 1900 to 4,000 in the early 1970s, and the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly, serious actions are required on part of wildlife protection groups and wildlife conservation organizations that would halt rapid disappearance and decline of tigers in India and other locations worldwide. The productive operation of such organization has resulted in the tiger population growing to nearly 6,000 at the turn of the century.

In the IUCN Red List of Species the Tiger is categorized as an endangered animal, which means it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Currently there exist eight sub-species of tigers worldwide, including the Sumatran, the Siberian or Manchurian Tiger; the Indochinese; Bengal, Royal Bengal or Indian Tiger and the South China Tiger. The latter is considered to be one of the most critically endangered tiger species, with up to 30 individuals believed to survive in the wild in a few years. Tigers in India face many challenges as well, most frequently falling victims to wildlife safaris.

Established with the aim to protect wildlife and preserve critically endangered tiger species, a number of wildlife conservation organizations work towards providing safe environment for tigers in India and worldwide. Some of them include World Wildlife Fund, 5 Tigers Project, Wildlife Conservation Society, Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute, Indian Tiger Welfare Society and World Conservation Union among others.
From the Global Tiger to Operation Tiger Forum, World Wildlife Fund makes extensive efforts to save tigers worldwide through constant support of long-term conservation programs across the globe.

Supported by the program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Save the Tiger Fund in partnership with Exxon Corporation, the Tiger Information Center offers information to the conservation, scientific and public communities concerning wildlife protection, and supports the international forum for information exchange on issues relevant to the protection of wild tigers in India, across Asia and in a number of zoos worldwide.

One of the most successful wildlife conservation organizations, the Tiger Campaign of Wildlife Conservation Society has mobilized conservation endeavors and field research in the majority of countries where tigers still remain.

Moved by the plight of cat family member, India Welfare Society was established to work towards building safe environment for tigers in India, including Indian White tiger and Royal Bengal tiger. The organization addresses issues that pose dangers to the tigers' survival and shares global concerns of protecting these endangered species. A number of research institutes and organizations were created as a result of joint efforts between different countries, pursuing the same goals. To such organizations belongs Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute, whose Siberian Tiger Project, launched in 1991, was a cooperative effort among top American and Russian wildlife biologists, veterinarians and scientists.

Another international body, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, commonly referred to as the World Conservation Union, is composed of leading international experts on different species of tigers. Its Cat Specialist Group advises governments and non-governmental wildlife conservation organizations on the management of tiger species.

Currently the IUCN comprises 400 non-governmental organizations and 120 world government agencies.

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