New Commitments Provide Hope for the Future of Wild Tiger Populations

A century ago, 100,000 tigers existed in the wild. Today, there are as few as 3,200. But, for the first time ever, there is a plan and funding commitments in place to help double the number of tigers by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger.  These tactics were approved at the tiger summit held November 21-24, 2010 in Russia by representatives from the 13 countries where tigers live. WWF was at the summit to encourage the world’s political leaders to support tiger conservation.

Success at the summit
Hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the summit (called the International Tiger Conservation Forum) delivered what WWF hoped for —a turning point in global efforts to save one of the world's best-loved species by committing high-level support and funding to the goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022.

Commitments from the summit include:

• Approximately $127 million in new funding from governments to support tiger conservation
• Endorsement by the 13 countries where tigers live of the Global Tiger Recovery Program  over the next five years

Tigers were the main attraction, but stars gathered to lend their support too, including actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. The new WWF-US board member premiered a sneak peek of a video from his expedition to Nepal and gave a gift of $1 million to the Save Tigers Now campaign.

A new beginning
The commitments from the tiger summit were an important first step towards WWF’s goal. However, threats such as poaching, the rising demand for wild tiger parts and products, and rampant habitat loss still exist.

To address these threats, WWF seeks to raise $85 million over five years for tiger conservation and increase investments on the ground, especially in the 12 key landscapes where tigers live. WWF will also strengthen anti-poaching efforts, work to reduce demand for tiger parts and continue to work closely with partners—governments, NGOs, local communities and regional bodies—to save tigers.

What you can do to help

• Learn more about tigers and share information with your friends and family
• Read about our work with tigers in the Eastern Himalayas, Amur-Heilong, Borneo and Sumatra, and Greater Mekongand share with others