It’s safe to say that tigers are having a bit of a moment. Whether it’s the echo effect of Tiger King or the start of the Lunar Year of the Tiger, these big cats are in the spotlight more than they usually are.
A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report has even more encouraging news for tigers.
It’s the start of the Lunar Year of the Tiger.
This means that, starting on February 1st of 2022 and continuing until January 21 of 2023, it’s the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese Zodiac lunar calendar. This year, the heavenly branch associated with the tiger is the water tiger (you can read more here ).
What’s it all mean?
The Year of the Tiger doesn’t have much significance unless you’re into the Chinese Zodiac. But it is a fortuitous time for the WWF to make a big announcement regarding tigers.
Tigers have come roaring back.
The WWF notes that tiger populations have rebounded in a big way. It’s the result of a pledge made 12 years ago, during the last Year of the Tiger, to increase tiger populations in time for the next Year of the Tiger, which just started. It’s huge news, considering tiger populations are almost always on the decline.
It’s an international initiative.
Naturally, countries where wild tigers are found spearheaded the mission. These include China, Russia, Nepal, and India among others.
Bringing them back hasn’t been easy.
The WWF outlines twelve ways that this initiative has taken action. Among them: creating corridors to allow wild tiger populations to move freely and cross borders. Another important step is involving local communities and encouraging them to create habitats for the big cats.
There’s been a crackdown on illegal trade.
Unfortunately, tiger pelts are valuable on the black market, which has contributed to a poaching epidemic. The WWF notes that it’s worked hard to eliminate the illegal tiger trade chain between India, China, and Nepal over the past decade.
New reserves have been created.
Part of this plan involves not just creating new tiger habitats, but moving tigers from failing habitats to newer ones so they can thrive. The WWF also intends to reintroduce tigers to Kazakhstan by 2025, a country where they’ve been extinct for 70 years.
We have to learn to live together.
Because tigers share their habitat with humans in some of the most densely-populated parts of the planet, conflicts are bound to arise. Volunteers have been trained to support local authorities in preventing these conflicts through studying tiger behavior and identifying footprints.
The work isn’t done yet.
“While there have been major successes for tigers over the last 12 years, the work is far from over,” the WWF points out . “In September of this year, tiger range countries will once again come together at the second Global Tiger Summit and will hopefully renew their commitment to protecting tigers as governments set their goals for the next 12 years of tiger conservation.”
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It’s good news for tigers.
Tiger populations had been declining for decades, so it’s massive news that populations have actually increased in recent years. Here’s hoping the trend continues.
h/t: WWF
