November 9, 2020

Hear stories from tiger biologists in Bhutan about work on the front lines of big cat conservation.

One of the most mysterious, elusive, and charismatic animals in the wild, tigers have captured the imaginations of people for centuries. They’ve inspired cultures, religions, and stories alike—particularly in Bhutan where the tiger remains an important symbol. However, in just the last 20 years, the human fascination has turned to persecution with wild tiger populations dropping more than 96 percent globally due to poaching, habitat destruction, and retaliatory killings. 

Despite low numbers, however, there is quite a lot of hope on the ground in Bhutan where authorities are working hard to promote anti-poaching efforts, conservation research, and livelihood programs in tiger-rich areas. 

Please join us this Monday, November 16th at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT), to hear more about the state of tigers in Bhutan as we speak live with three Bhutanese National Geographic Explorers who work on the front lines of tiger conservation. We’ll hear first-hand stories about their experiences studying wild tigers in their natural habitat, from camera trapping and radio-collaring to the realities of poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

Guests include Dr. Tshering Tempa, the head of the Bhutan Tiger Center and Bhutan’s eminent tiger biologist; Tashi Dhendup, a senior researcher with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICER); and Letro, a senior conservation officer with the Nature Conservation Division. All three agencies are under the Department of Forestry and National Park Services of Bhutan.