As we commemorate International Tiger Day, we are thrilled to share some hopeful news from the heart of Bhutan.
The Bhutan National Tiger Survey Report, just released, has uncovered a significant surge in the country’s tiger population – a testament to the unwavering conservation efforts to date. The survey reveals an encouraging 27% increase in adult tigers since the last report in 2015. This brings the official count in Bhutan to over 131.
Particularly noteworthy is the situation in Royal Manas National Park, where the tiger populations have not just grown, but doubled.
This growth, however, is not without complexities. The rising numbers of tigers has inevitably intensified human-wildlife conflict, primarily through predation on livestock — an issue with far-reaching consequences, affecting both the livelihoods of local farmers and the safety of the tiger population.
Recognizing this intricate problem, the Bhutan Foundation, in collaboration with the Bhutan Tiger Center, is taking steps to mitigate the impact on local communities. We are supporting an initiative to insure farmers against livestock loss, an intervention aspiring to preserve the balance between human activity and wildlife conservation.
Our aspiration is in alignment with the Royal Government of Bhutan which, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, will host an international conference on sustainable finance for tiger landscapes next year. Further, Chief Guest Dr. Tandi Dorji, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister, also launched the Global Tiger Recovery Program 2023-2034 during today’s live-streamed event from Bhutan’s capital city.
In line with our dedication to conserving the natural heritage of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Foundation has been supporting the conservation of tigers and their habitats for over a decade. We encourage you to learn more about them, the threats they face, and the ways in which you can contribute to their preservation in Bhutan.
Visit our Mountain Tiger Conservation page to learn more about how you can get involved!
