WWF - World Wildlife Fund

featuring our tigress Malu Pothi

WWF's ultimate goal is to build a future where people live in harmony with nature!

WWF collaborated with other organizations on the most comprehensive scientific study of tiger habitats ever done. The study finds that tigers reside in 40 percent less habitat than they were thought to a decade ago and now occupy only seven percent of their historic range.

The study also finds that conservation efforts have resulted in some populations remaining stable and even increasing, but concludes that long-term success is only achieved where there is broad landscape-level conservation and buy-in from stakeholders.

For more information and to sign up for membership or sponsorship:
WWF - World Wildlife Fund / www.wwf.org

Bengal Tiger

The Bengal tiger is the most numerous of tigers existing in the wild today. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal. India is home to the largest population. It mostly inhabits the dry and wet deciduous forests of central and south India, the Terai-Duar grassland and sal forests of the Himalayan foothills, and the temperate forests of Bhutan. The mangroves of the Sunderban (shared between Bangladesh and India) are the only mangrove forests where tigers are found.

A burgeoning human population and its own needs are pushing the tiger out of its natural habitat. Increasing human-tiger conflicts often lead to retributive killings. The tiger also faces a serious threat from poachers. Although accurate figures are not available throughout its range, current estimates show there are about 4,000 Bengal tigers surviving in the wild.

WWF has been working with local partners to strengthen anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce threats to the natural habitat, both in India and Nepal. Work is underway to reduce pressure on natural forests in order to reduce conflict.

India today has the largest number of tigers, numbering somewhere between 2,500 and 3,750. However, the Indian government is expected to release new numbers in the coming year. Worldwide it is estimated only 5,000 to 7,000 individual tigers now remain in the wild. These remaining tigers are threatened by many factors, including growing human populations, loss of habitat, illegal hunting of tigers and their prey, and expanded trade in tiger parts used for traditional medicines.

WWF and its conservation partners are working to combat these threats and save the tiger. Together, we can ensure that we leave our children a planet where tigers still roam wild.

Malu Pothi

We are unable to track our sponsored tigress Malu Pothi in the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in Nepal. It is likely that she may have left the boundaries of the reserve and found a new habitat. We hope that Malu is alive and well and that someday we'll be able to report back on a sighting of a beautiful tigress that has given us - and you, we hope - so much pleasure over the years.

INTRODUCTION of our new tigress
Her name is Kamrita and she is a Bengal tiger. Kamrita lives in Chitwan National Park, in Nepal. She has given birth to two cubs - all now fend for themselves.

Kamrita is one of the last 123 tigers left in Nepal. It's vital that we do everything we can to protect these beautiful creatures. WWF is monitoring the tigers in Suklaphanta, where Malu Pothi lives, and strengthening anti-poaching patrols in the area.

Recognized throughout the world for its ferocity and unmistakable beauty, the tiger faces an uncertain future. Due to increases in both natural and human threats, the wild tiger population suffered major losses during the 20th century and has become one of our most endangered species.

We need your help!

Shocking news - the tiger population estimates has fallen from 4,00 to as few as 3,200 and we urgently need your support to save this magnificent creature.

JUNE 2011
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

Kamrita's female cub is caught on camera in the wilds of Chitwan National Park! There haven't been any sightings of her male cub, but at just over two years old he's likely to be roaming around the park trying to establish his own territory

FEBRUARY 2011
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

Last summer's monsoon meant ultra lush grassland in Chitwan National Park, so there was plenty of food to fatten up Kamrita's prey.

It also gave her excellent ambush cover, and our park rangers have been finding evidence of lots of kills around her habitat. This is good news, because it tells us she's catching enough prey to keep her fit and healthy

Although they haven't spotted Kamira recently, the park rangers did have a close encounter one evening. They were patrolling her territory on elephant back, when they heard a huge roar. when a second roar sounded even closer, the terrifid elephant driver suggested they leave the area as quickly as possible. The rangers beleive the roar was from Kamrita.

We have been trying to identify Kamrita's cubs, by matching their stripe patterns with the 70 individual tiger pictures captured on camera traps last year. None of them did match! This means that the cubs have moved to the edge of the park, away from more dominant male tigers.
Kamrita is on the move too. She seems to be heading away from her forest trails in Sukhiver towards he river to the north.

OCTOBER 2010
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

The last few months have seen the the monsoon season unleask its full force with torrential rainfall on the Chitwan National Park. This is great news for tiger habitat - the grassland that tigers need for shelter have bloomed and become thicker.

JUNE 2010
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

Like every good tiger mother, Kamrita has spent the last few months teaching her two cubs the neccessary skills they'll need for life in the wild - including how to hunt and feed. Male cubs usually depart from their mother's side when they are about 18-22 months old, and females a little later than this

NEWS! We have seen a new male tiger following Kamrita. This is a strong indication that she is mating again which is fantastic news. More news in the next edition of Tiger Insight.

DID YOU KNOW

Tigers are successful in only one or two attacks out of every 20
There are estimated to be fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild
Tiger cubs are born blind and weight about 1kg. By the time they are 18 months they have fully developed teeth and will be starting to make their own kills
Tigers can consume up to 35kg of meat in one night
Tigers occupy over 40% less habitat than they did 10 years ago