29 July 2023

Press Release

For immediate release

Bhutan’s wild tiger population increases by 27 per cent, following 10-year conservation efforts

Bhutan’s wild tiger population has increased to 131 individuals, up 27 per cent since the first systematic survey in 2015 according to the National Tiger Survey Report 2021–2022 launched today
Conservation success is a result of increased law enforcement, community-based tiger conservation programmes, and habitat improvement

The tiger population in the Bhutan has increased by 27 per cent from 103 to 131, according to a new National Tiger Survey Report 2021-2022 launched to mark Global Tiger Day.

The survey covered 85 per cent of the country (32,800 km2) and tigers were photographed at over 15 percent of the 1,201 camera trap locations, including for the first time in two forest divisions (Dagana and Pemagatshel).

Bhutan has the world record for tiger sightings at the highest elevations, over 4,400m, and this survey confirms that tigers are breeding at a variety of altitudes.

Major interventions in the last ten years to help the wild tiger population in the area include increased law enforcement, community-based tiger conservation programmes, habitat improvement and human wildlife conflict management interventions.

However, the survey finds that the threat of poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict remain, and the report serves as a call to action for continued efforts to protect tigers and their habitats for future generations.

Becci May, Senior Programme Advisor, Asia Programmes, WWF-UK, said:

“Bhutan’s achievement of increasing the tiger population by 27% since 2015 is a result of strong government commitment and the collective efforts of many, especially local communities. This dedication to protect tigers is inspirational and can serve as a model for conservation elsewhere.

“Sadly, despite success stories like Bhutan, tigers are still the most threatened big cat species globally, reduced to only around 5% of their historic range.

"Yet protecting tigers is so important, because when we protect tigers, we protect so much more – tigers play a key role within a healthy ecosystem, and the vast areas of forest they require are a vital carbon store, as well as providing natural resources and ecosystem services that we and wildlife depend on. Halting and reversing nature loss is essential for both people and wildlife to thrive.”

Stuart Chapman, Tigers Alive Initiative Leader, WWF, said:

“This is an extraordinary conservation achievement for Bhutan which now joins a small number of countries that have increased their tiger population over the last decade.

“As tiger numbers increase, challenges can intensify, yet Bhutan is perfectly positioned to be a global champion for approaches that support coexistence between tigers and people.”

ENDS

About the coalition to Secure a Viable Future of the Tiger

The coalition is a group of six NGOs that has worked for many years with partners to conserve tigers. The coalition has created a joint vision for “a long-term presence of viable and ecologically functional populations of wild tigers secure in protected habitats, with representation and links across their indigenous range, respected and valued by neighbouring human communities and beyond, a magnificent symbol of nature in all its beauty, complexity and wonder for future generations.”

Why tigers matter

As the world’s largest cat and an apex predator, tigers play a significant role in the structure and function of the ecosystem on which both humans and wildlife rely. They are a “landscape” species, needing large areas with diverse habitats, free from human disturbance and rich in prey. Success or failure means more than securing the future of a single iconic species – it sets a precedent for how we will consider and prioritise the health of nature in global development and in a changing climate going forward. For more information see: tigers.panda.org