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

Due to public demand we will once again dedicate a page on our web site to our sponsored tigress Malu Pothi who is living in the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.

INTRODUCTION
For all of you who have not yet met our adopted tigress her name is Malu Pothi meaning female from the Malumela area and she is a Bengal tiger. Malu Pothi lives in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, in Nepal. Like all tigers, she is shy and elusive, and maintains a relatively fixed home range in the north-eastern part of the reserve. She has given birth to three cubs - all now fend for themselves.

Malu Pothi 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.

SUMMER 2009
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

No confirmed sighting of Malu Pothi for some time now.

APRIL 2009
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

We have recently photographed a male tiger in Malu's teritory, and it is exciting news - he may be her breeding partner and we could soon be seeing cubs.

AUTUMN 2008
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

Two gun-wielding hunters were recently caught on camera inside Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, western Neparl

The poachers were photographed at night by one of the new infra-red camera traps placed inside the reserve. Thanks tp photographic evidence, park authorities were able to apprehend and prosecute the poachers.

We are also excited to reveal that a male tiger has been photographed on Malu's territory, which researchers believe to be her breeding partner. Could we be seeing cubs from Malu soon?

AUTUMN 2007
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

Due to torrential rainfall theMahakali River overflowed leaving the reserve under water. It seems that Malu Pothi retreated deep into the reserve in response to the weather conditions. Malu Pothi and the tigers in and around Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve are well served by abundance of prey. Deer, swamp deer and hog deer, which form the main part of Malu Pothi's diet has been spotted. More news in the next edition of Tiger Insight.

SPRING 2007
From wwf, tiger insight leaflet

It has been nearly impossible to monitor our adopted tigress Malu Pothi lately due to heavy floodings in Nepal's Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. But the WWF researchers has been rewarded after rigorous field work with a camera trap photo and she was not alone - she had a mate in tow!
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
Tigewr 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