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GTFNEWS

GLOBAL TIGER FORUM GLOBAL TIGER FORUM IS AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL

INTERNATIONAL BODY FOR THE CONSERVATION OF TIGERS IN THE WILD

DECEMBER 2017

Edited byS P YADAV

GLOBAL TIGER FORUM SECRETARIATARIHANTAM, HOUSE NO. 200, THIRD FLOORJORBAGH ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003 INDIA

1. Note from the Secretary General / 5

2. From the GTF / 6

3. First Meeting of the Global Tiger Initiative Council (GTIC) / 7

4. News from Tiger Range Countries / 9BangladeshBhutanCambodiaChinaIndia IndonesiaLao PDRMalaysiaNepalRussiaThailandVietnam

5. News from International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) / 32

6. News from National NGOs / 34(1) Centre for Wildlife Studies(2) The Corbett Foundation (CF)(3) The Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT)(4) Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)(5) WWF - India

7. Tiger Mortality Statistics of India - July to December 2017 / 40

8. From the GTF / 41

CONTENTSDECEMBER2017

NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL

The ongoing agenda of the GTF during this periodwas the Ranger Information Survey across India,as a part of a global survey undertaken to know

more about perspectives, opinions and ground levelrealities in terms of job stress, job satisfaction,corruption and working and living conditions of ForestRangers.

The GTF in collaboration with the WWF is implementingConservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA/TS) in thestates of India, to ensure international standards tostrengthen tiger conservation.

The Forum participated in the Tiger Expert meet forreintroduction of tiger in Cambodia in September 2017.The GTF took part in several meetings/workshops: 69thStanding Committee of the CITES, IUCN TigerProgramme Grantees Workshop held at Pench TigerReserve, Maharashtra,Indo-Nepal Bilateral meeting atKathmandu, Nepal, 3rd Meeting of the ExecutiveCommittee of SAWEN at Kathmandu, Nepal. The GTFcoordinated a meeting on Concurrent Tiger Estimationbetween India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.The GTF mission, in collaboration with the WildlifeConservation Trust (WCT) and USAID, visited Myanmarto facilitate preparation of Management Plan ofHtamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary.

The GTF coordinated Conservation Assured TigerStandards (CA/TS) Orientation Programme andFormalization of CA/TS Council in Bogor, Indonesia,wherein CA/TS Council was established by the NationalCommittees. Bhutan was elected as its 1st Chair.

Panel of CA/TS certified independent Reviewers/expertsestablished in eight Tiger Range countries apart fromcountry planning for implementation of CA/TS in nineTiger Range Countries, theGlobal Tiger Forum willcontinue to mobilise CA|TS across TRCs and will alsocatalyse the process through the GTRP.

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DR RAJESH GOPALSecretary General

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1. The Global Tiger Forum collaborated with WWF andGlobal Wildlife Conservation (USA) has beencarrying out the “Asia Ranger Information Survey” inIndia. The overall aim of the study is to betterunderstand the perspectives, opinions and groundlevel realities in terms of job stress, job satisfaction,corruption and working and living conditions offorest rangers operating in protected areasthroughout Asia. Sites where the said survey wereconducted are: Hemis National Park in Jammu &Kashmir, Alwar Territorial Division and DesertNational Park in Rajasthan, Gir National Park inGujarat, Ramnagar and Lansdowne TerritorialDivision in Uttarakhand. Kanha Tiger Reserve inMadhya Pradesh and Kaziranga Tiger Reserve inAssam.

2. Collaborated with WWF-India is carrying outConservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA/TS)assessment inthe states of Chhattisgarh,Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra.

3. Represented at the Indo-Nepal Bilateral meeting inSeptember 2017 at Kathmandu, Nepal.

4. Coordinated the meeting on Conservation AssuredTiger Standard - CA/TS Orientation Programme andFormalization of CA/TS Council at Bogor, Indonesia,during 13 to 16 October 2017.

5. Officials participated the Expert Committee Meet forTiger Reintroduction in Cambodia from 24 to 29September 2017 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

6. Officials in collaboration with the WildlifeConservation Trust (WCT) and USAID organized aworkshop at Yangon, Myanmar, to facilitatepreparation of Management Plan of HthamanthiWildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar, in the month ofNovember 2017.

7. Coordinated visit of Cambodian delegation to the

Panna Tiger Reserve for field experience of tigerreintroduction and monitoring, in the month ofNovember 2017.

8. Officials participated in the IUCN Tiger ProgrammeGrantees Workshop held at Pench Tiger Reserve,Maharashtra, on 28-31 October 2017.

9. Represented in the South Asia EnforcementNetwork (SAWEN) third Executive Committeemeeting at Kathmandu, Nepal, on 11-13 September2017.

10. Coordinated the meeting aimed at Concurrent TigerEstimation between India, Bhutan, Bangladesh andNepal at New Delhi, India on 12 December 2017.

11. Represented in the TraMCA (Transboundary ManasConservation Area) meeting at Thimphu, Bhutan,on 21-22 December 2017.

12. Represented in the 69th Standing Committee of theCITES held at Geneva, Switzerland, in November -December 2017.

13. Facilitated the selection process of threeprofessionals from Indian Forest Service andProvincial Forest Service and one conservationpractitioner for Ph.D. Programme for Indianprofessionals focusing on Tiger Conservation atClemson University and Auburn University. TheUniversities will provide “graduate Ph.D.assistantships” to the young professionalsamounting to approximately $25,000 + fringe andtuition waiver per year for a period of 2.5 years foreach student.

14. Prepared the Security Audit Protocol prepared withsupport from NTCA, WWF and other organizations,which was released by Union Minister of India MrHarshvardhan on Global Tiger Day, 29 July.

15. Taking up security audit of 25 tiger reserves in India.

FROM THE GTF

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MEETING OBJECTIVESThe First Meeting of the GTI Council was held to: (i) introduce the council and discuss its role and

ongoing initiatives (ii) discuss the way forward to sustain ongoing efforts

and future action

PROGRAM AND PARTICIPANTSThe Meeting was attended by charter members, officialsand representatives of partner organizations.

ProceedingsWhile welcoming the participants, the President of theClemson University, Dr James Clements, informed theCouncil about the partnership on tiger conservation andresearch between four Land Grant Universities (Clemson,Auburn, Missouri and L.S.U), with tiger as their mascot.Mr. Robert Zoellick, Chairman of the GTI Council praisedthe exceptional leadership of the GTI Council in reachingout to the 20 range countries (tiger and snow leopards)

and a need to create a visible impact in the frontlines. Dr.David Beasley, Executive Director, World FoodProgramme pointed out the need to integrate foodsecurity and environmental conservation, which is key tohuman well-being and sustainability.

The CEO & ED, GTI Council, Mr Keshav Varmapresented an overview of the structure and activities ofthe GTI Council. He stated that the council has played amajor role in convening and coordinating the 3rd AsiaMinisterial Conference on Tiger Conservation at NewDelhi and the International Snow Leopard Forum atBishkek, leading to the highest level of politicalauthorization and commitments towards tiger and snowleopard conservation. The council, through itsimplementing arms, Global Tiger Forum (GTF) andGlobal Snow Leopard Programme (GSLEP) hassuccessfully regained the momentum, and has beenimplementing country level/regional programmes, with aview to harmonize technical knowledge and expertise

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GLOBAL TIGER INITIATIVE COUNCIL (GTIC)

The first meeting of the GTIC was held on September 8, 2017 at Clemson University, South Carolina, U.S.A., under the Chairmanship of Mr. Robert Zoellick

across the range countries, such as development of fieldmanuals on wildlife monitoring, prey and habitat recovery,and economic valuation of ecosystem services, apartfrom, implementing field program like the ConservationAssured Tiger Standards (CA/TS), Security Audit ofprotected areas and landscape level management plans.He also said that the range countries have highexpectations from the GTI Council, and there is an urgentneed to leverage resources for coordination anddownstream implementation of the Global Tiger RecoveryProgramme (GTRP) and the Global Snow LeopardProgramme (GSLEP). An estimated operational budgetfor supporting core functioning of the GTI Council wasalso presented.

The structure and role of the U.S. Tiger UniversityConsortium and its relationship with the GTIC washighlighted by Dr Timothy Boosinger, Provost, AuburnUniversity and Dr Robert Jones, Provost, ClemsonUniversity. He informed that the said Consortium wouldsupport doctoral research programmes for scholars fromthe tiger range countries, as well as undertake advancedapplied research for providing solutions to conservationchallenges. The dean, Clemson University, Fr BrettWright, presented the idea for creation of a Center ofExcellence for Tiger Conservation at Clemson University,that would serve as a platform for global knowledgeconnecting to local practice. He stated that the Centerwould harness the knowledge capacity of the tigeruniversity consortium and the implementing capacity ofthe Global Tiger Initiative Council to support fieldprojects, undertake training and capacity buildingprogrammes and mobilize resources. Mr. Brian JosephO’Rourke, Vice President, Development and AlumniRelations, Clemson University extended the support ofhis office towards preparation of the business plan for theunique partnership between GTIC and U.S. TigerUniversity Consortium besides Center for Excellence.

Inputs from Charter Member and PartnersMs. Inger Andersen, Director General, IUCNStressed on the importance of women in supporting andleading conservation efforts across the globe,andencouraged partnership with universities and institutes foreffective convergence of knowledge and ideas.

Mr. Deepak Bohara, Member of Parliament, Nepal — message GTIC sits in the heart of the range countries and itsofficials. The sense of camaraderie, community ofpractice and partnerships that GTIC has created isunique. The Kathmandu conference and the recentInternational Snow Leopard Forum is a great example ofthis alliance at work.

Dr. Jaime Cavalier, Senior Biodiversity Specialist, GEF Discussed the possibility of programmatic convergencethrough the Regional Project on Tigers and Snow

Leopards under GEF 7, and provided an update on theMedium Sized Project on tigers (GEF 6), which is underprocess. He further stated that the GTIC could play amajor role in GEF replenishment through support andendorsement from the range countries.

Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister, Government ofIndia — video message Tiger Conservation is linked to sustainability of humancommunities, and GTIC should holistically work towardsaddressing threats to tigers and its landscape.

Dr.Cristián Samper, President and CEO, WildlifeConservation SocietyComplemented the doctoral programme under the U.S. Tiger University Consortium, and highlighted the role of WCS in strengthening field formations at the frontlines. He stressed upon need to setup aparallel effort for knowledge exchange within the range countries.

Dr Andrew Steer, President, World resources Institute (WRIUrged the members and partners to effectively contributein leveraging support for sustaining the unique alliance ofGTIC. He stated that the WRI is keen to implementtechnological solutions for landscape monitoring, suchas the Global Forest Watch, in range countries, throughthe GTIC mechanism.

Mr James Wolfensohn, Former President, World bankGroup and CEO and Chairman of Wolfensohn FundManagement, L.P. — on audioExtended support to the council in preparing its businessplan, and highlighted the key role of partnerships forstrengthening the agenda of the GTIC, and its workacross the range countries.

Dr. S.P. Yadav, Assistant Secretary General, GlobalTiger ForumStated that the TX2 goal needs a mid-term review, andthe GTIC has played a crucial leadership role insuccessfully securing political will of the tiger and snowleopard range countries. Further, the GTIC needsinclusive support from all its members and partners.

KEY OUTCOMESo Set up a Center of Excellence for Tiger Conservation

at Clemson University o Operationalization of the consortium of 4 tiger

universities o Prepare “Business Plan” for raising resources for the

Center of Excellence and for the GTI Council o Firming up strategy and action for fund-raising for the

GTIC o Follow up on the membership of Mr. Almazbek

Atambayev, President Krgyz Republic and Mr. ErikSolheim, Executive Director, UNEP

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WORLD TIGER DAY OBSERVEDTribune Desk Published at 12:37 AM July 30, 2017Lastupdated at 12:38 AM July 30, 2017

The Forest Department and different non-governmentorganisations chalked out elaborate programmes inSatkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna districts on theoccasion.

The World Tiger Day was celebrated in different partsof the country on Saturday aiming to raise awarenessfor tiger conservation across the globe.

The Forest Department and different non-governmentorganisations chalked out elaborate programmes inSatkhira, Bagerhat and Khulna districts on the occasion.

In Bagerhat, a colourful rally was brought out fromCentral Shaheed Minar in the morning with the slogan“Tigers are our pride, we will save them”, ourcorrespondent reported.

Later, a discussion was held at district councilauditorium where Environment and Forest MinisterAnwar Hossain Manju spoke as chief guest with

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NEWS FROM TIGER RANGE COUNTRIES

BANGLADESH

Only 3,500 tigers remain in the wild Syed Zakir Hossain

Mohammed ShafiulAlam Chowdhury, ChiefConservatorof Forests for the Bangladesh ForestDepartment in the chair.

The minister said: “Tigers are on the brink of extinctionand International World Tiger Day aims to bringattention to this fact and try to halt their decline.”

Our Satkhira correspondent reported that a rally wasbrought in the town aiming to build awareness acrossthe globe to save the remaining population of themajestic big cat from extinction.

A discussion was also held at Sundarban High Schoolauditorium on the occasion.

TIGER CENSUS IN SUNDARBANS TO CONFIRMPOPULATION BY 2019Hedait Hossain Molla, Khulna, Dhaka TribunePublishedat 08:11 PM July 28, 2017Last updated at 10:07 PMJuly 28

The Forest Department is conducting the census inthe Satkhira, Khulna, Sharankhola and Chandpairanges of the Sundarbans using camera trappingmethodIt will take two years to determine the exact number ofRoyal Bengal Tigers living in the Bangladesh part of theSundarbans, according to officials conducting acensus in the country’s lone natural tiger habitat.

The Forest Department is conducting the census incollaboration with WildTeam, an NGO working for tigerconservation in the country, under the Bengal TigerConservation Activity project funded by the USAID.

The census, which began in November last year, isusing camera trapping methodology to determine theoverall tiger population in the world’s largest mangroveforest, of which around 60% lies within Bangladesh.

The most recent census which concluded in 2015recorded a tiger population of only 106 in theBangladeshi Sundarbans, down from 440 in 2004.Project officials will want to know if this number hasheld up, or fallen further.

Data collection for the current census has already beencompleted in the Satkhira range of the mangrove forestand will be extended to the Khulna, Sharankhola andChandpai ranges by 2019.

Sources familiar with the project said the primarymonitoring and count using the cameras in Satkhirabegan on December 1 and ended on March 15. A totalof 45 officials and experts divided into six teamsconducted the survey to determine the tiger populationin Satkhira range.

In addition to recording tiger numbers, the project isalso tracking their population density, movement andactivity.

10 GTFNEWSNEWS FROM TIGER RANGE COUNTRIES

According to the previous tiger census, the population of tigers in the Sundarbans stood at 106 in 2015— less than a quarter of 440 in 2004

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TIGER DAY FOCUSES ON PREY BASEPRESERVATIONJuly 31, 2017 Kuensel

Bhutan observed World Tiger Day at the Royal TakinPreserve in Motithang, Thimphu on Saturday with thetheme ‘Conserving prey base for tiger preservation’.

There are about 103 tigers in Bhutan today. From 75tigers estimated in 1998, tiger population increased to103 in 2015, according to the press release fromDepartment of Forests and Parks Services (DoFPS),Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) and WorldWildlife Fund Bhutan.

Speaker Jigme Zangpo said that protecting toppredator like the tiger keep forests intact by keepingpopulations of prey species in check, maintainingbalance in the ecosystem. “Balanced ecosystems arenot only important for wildlife, but also for people.”

In 2016, Bhutan led the establishment of the RegionalCentre for Tiger and Cats Conservation Centre inGelephu.

Forestry Officer with Nature Conservation Division’s(NCD), Tandin, said that there is a need not only to

ensure long-term survival of the tigers, but also tosecure their prey base.

The event saw the inauguration of Friends of theBhutan Takin initiative, a non-profit initiative to supportand create awareness on Bhutan’s takin, . Viewingdeck and the Information Centre Building were alsoinaugurated at the preserve.

Senior Forest Ranger at the 11-acre preserve,ChimmiDorji, said that the Royal Takin Preserve has 14takins, 13 sambar deers, a serow, a goral, and abarking deer.

He added that besides showcasing the national animalto a large number of foreign visitors every day, preserveserves as a source population for translocation oftakins to its earlier range like Merak and Sakteng.

— Rinchen Zangmo

ROYAL BENGAL TIGER SPOTTED ABOVE 11,000 FTJuly 29, 2017, Kuensel

The Department of Forests and Park Services hascaptured a high-resolution picture and video of a Royal

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BHUTAN

NEWS FROM TIGER RANGE COUNTRIES

Bengal Tiger at a high altitude of 11,733 ft betweenWangchuck Centennial National Park and JigmeSingyeWangchuck National Park. The Corridor 8 wasselected for the mission because the area is underpressure from a wide range of human activities. Thecorridor forms a critical link for tiger movement fromRoyal Manas National Park to other northern parksthrough Jigme SingyeWangchuck National Park.

Commissioned with support from WWF, the missiontook photojournalist Emmanuel Rondeau and threeBhutanese park officials from DoFPS about eightweeks and eight camera traps to capture the image ofthe magnificent cat. Park officials have also recordedmany species of wild Asian cats in the region.

Bhutan’s national tiger survey in 2014-2015 confirmedthe presence of tigers in several areas of Bhutan for thefirst time. It was found that tigers were using wildlifecorridors to move between parks.

Agriculture Minister YesheyDorji said this calls forscientific management of the biological corridorsconnecting the protected areas to ensure effectiveconservation of tigers and their meta-populations inBhutan.

Although biological corridors are part of the protectedareas, there has not been comprehensive assessmentor study conducted. Information through high-resolution camera traps is expected to provide Bhutanwith a solid basis to start such studies and developmanagement plans.

There are 103 estimated tiger individuals roaming freelyin the country’s wilderness. The estimated range ofcredible tiger number in the country is within 84 to 124.From 75 tigers estimated in 1998, the populationincreased to 103 in 2015, 37 percent increase in 17years.

— Staff reporter

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CAMBODIA

GROWLING PROWLERS RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLEMom Kunthear / Khmer Times Share: July 20, 2017

The government is working in conjunction with theWorld Wildlife Fund on a plan to release eight tigersinto the wild in Mondulkiri province by 2022.

WWF-Cambodia communication manager Un Chakrey

said yesterday that they are working with the ministriesof environment, agriculture and tourism, among otherorganisations.

“Before the project starts, we have to ensure we areready for everything,” he said.

“That means that we will have proper law enforcement,

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enough rangers for managing the wild animals in thejungle, and no more illegal hunting or illegal trapping,or illegal logging.”

Mr Chakrey said six of the tigers will be female and twowill be male, with hopes that they will reproduce to helpbuttress the endangered population.

Mr Chakrey added that they planned to release thetigers in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary.

“Our long-term plan that we just started studying is thatby the year 2022 we will release these eight tigers intothe jungle,” he said. “But before that year comes, we

have work to ensure that the area is safe and hasenough food for them.”

Mr Chakrey said a source country for the tigers has notyet been identified and stressed that illegal traps arehis utmost concern.

“Not only the authorities, but also the public have tojoin together to protect our wild animals,” he said.

The illegal tiger trade is one of the main reasons whytigers are disappearing. More than 100 tigers are killedeach year and their parts sold for profit throughinternational criminal enterprises.

Eight big cats will be released into the wild in Mondulkiri by 2022, with hopes the animals will breed.

FROM POACHER TO RANGER: SAVINGCHINA’S SIBERIAN TIGERSDozens of former hunters are helpingconservation efforts in the region, whereabout 540 of the big cats live in the wildPUBLISHED : Friday, 06 October, 2017,12:37pm UPDATED : Friday, 06 October, 2017,10:17 pm

CHINA

PERIYAR DECLARATION ON TIGERCONSERVATION 2017

The Field Directors and Chief Wildlife Wardens adoptedthe Periyar Declaration on Tiger Conservation 2017 atits meeting in Periyar Tiger Reserve in the month ofSeptember 2017.

PREAMBLEWe the participants of the Field Directors’ Conferenceheld on 15-16 September 2017 at Periyar TigerReserve, Kerala; Recalling the St. PetersburgDeclaration on Tiger Conservation 2010;

Recognize that Tiger, our National Animal and themost iconic umbrella species, is the indicator of ahealthy ecosystem;

Note that the status of tiger is still “endangered” due tothreats such as habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade;Understand that the Project Tiger launched in 1973 hasput the tiger n assured path of recovery;

Acknowledge that the role of the National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA) is playing a catalytic

and leadership role for tiger conservation in thecountry;

Resolve that the tiger conservation is a sharedresponsibility of the Central Government, StateGovernments, Civil Society Institutions and people; and

Hereby declare the following:1. Further strengthen the management of tiger

landscapes, including corridors and providesupport to all tiger bearing areas outside TigerReserve.

2. Re-examine the policy and package of rehabilitation and explore the possibility forextending it to all willing forest dwelling population.The package should look at increasing the basketof options for livelihood including skill developmentwhile bringing in convergence of all on-goingrelevant schemes pf the Central and StateGovernment.

3. Exploring other resources including CompensatoryAfforestation Fund Management and PlanningAuthority (CAMPA) for voluntary villagerehabilitation. Recognize that the voluntary village

14 GTFNEWSAgence France-PresseIn the northern mountains bordering Russia, everyoneknew the spry Chinese man as a skilled and ruthlesshunter — the kind who once killed a mother black bearas her cubs looked on.

But instead of stalking the woods for prey, Liang Fengen now roams the hills without a rifle,working as a ranger to save the area’s endangeredSiberian tiger population and protect other wildlife.

“When I think about what I used to do, it seems socruel,” said Liang, 61, who lives in a small house at thefoot of the mountains in northeastern China’sHeilongjiang province.

Liang’s conversion is the result of efforts byorganisations like the global conservation body WWFand the Wildlife Conservation Society, which areharnessing the knowledge of local poachers to rescue

Siberian — also known as Amur — tigers fromextinction.

At the crack of dawn every morning, the expert trackerpatrols the forested area on foot in search of data forconservation research: a tiger print here, some wildboar faeces there.

The plight of the world’s largest cats is reflected in redbanners along the trails leading to the dense woodsthat proclaim: “Siberian tigers are mankind’s friends”.

About 540 are estimated to exist in the wild in a hugearea straddling Russia, China and possibly NorthKorea, having made a comeback from the brink ofextinction in the 1940s, when only about 40 Amurswere left, according to WWF.

Their biggest threat is humans — both those whopoach the tigers to sell their parts on the black marketand those who illegally hunt their prey.

INDIA

relocation and subsequent development of habitatbe treated as equivalent to CompensatoryAfforestation.

4. Strengthen the welfare measures for personnelengaged in tiger conservation to motivate them towork in arduous, remote and inhospitableconditions.

5. Recognize the importance of Tiger ConservationFoundation (TCF) and other similar bodies involvedin this aspect towards tiger conservation and thatthey should be exempted from all taxes such as GS& IT.

6. State Governments encourage to formulateOperational Manual for the functioning of TCFs asper broad guidelines issued by NTCA.

7. Apply more science and technology in tigerconservation by collaborating with other nationaland international research organization anddevelop regional centres of excellence.

8. Organize regular capacity building and skill up-gradation of field staff, expose them to the latest inscience and technology, including exposure to bestpractices, both nationally and internationally.

9. Allow NTCA to augment Tiger ConservationAuthority Fund from sources other than thegovernment.

10. Initiate process to notify appropriate authority inforest departments to act as law enforcementauthority for such related Acts as the CrPC,Telegraph Act, Import Act, Wireless Act etc.

11. Seek to amend the Scheduled Tribes and otherTraditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of ForestRights) Act, 2006 suitably to recognize core/criticaltiger habitat notified under Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 as Critical Wildlife Habitat.

TIGER COUNT IN UTTARAKHAND GOES UP TO242, 2ND HIGHEST IN INDIABy PTI | Published: 27th July 2017 11:19 AM | Last Updated: 27th July 2017 12:49 PM

DEHRADUN: The count of tigers in Uttarakhand hasgone up to 242 with an increase of 63 big cats thisyear, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has said.

Also 11 cubs were found in the two tiger reserves, hehad said yesterday releasing the latest figures for theyear 2016 -17.

Uttarakhand has two tiger reserves — the Corbett TigerReserve and the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

Chief minister Rawat congratulated the forestdepartment for the great work being done for theconservation of tigers and added that in terms of areaand tiger population ratio, Uttarakhand is the numberone state behind Karnataka which has 400 big cats.

According to the data, at least 208 tigers have beenidentified in Corbett Tiger Reserve, up from last year’s163.Also six cubs were identified there. At least 34 tigershave been identified in Rajaji Tiger Reserve in 2016-17,up from previous year’s 16, he said, adding five cubswere also found there.

Around 535 cameras were installed in Corbett TigerReserve, while 562 cameras were put at strategiclocations in core areas of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve incollaboration with the Indian Wildlife Institute and WorldNature Fund (WWF).

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16 GTFNEWSINTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY 2017: INDIA PLEDGESTO SAVE BIG CATSPress Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministryof Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 29-July-2017 16:56 IST

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and ClimateChange, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressing the GlobalTiger Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan said thatTiger-bearing forests play a mitigative role in combatingClimate Change, besides the value of ecosystemservices, provided by Tiger reserves. The Ministeremphasized that the Tiger is a symbol of healthyenvironment and there can be no let-up in conservationefforts, as threats to Tigers remain ever persistent.

Addressing a large gathering comprising tigerconservationists, NGOs and students, Dr. HarshVardhan pointed out that the target of doubling thenumber of Tigers by 2022 in St Petersburg Declarationis a moderate target, but even to achieve this moderatetarget, nations have to be repeatedly reminded toconserve the Tiger. He added that Tiger conservationshould be carried out every moment of the day and notcelebrated merely as a one-day event.

A Protocol for conducting security and audit of TigerReserves was released by the Minister on theoccasion. A Compact Disk (CD) on glimpses of Tigerconservation through Parliament questions was alsoreleased.

A radio jingle on Tiger conservation was also releasedon the occasion by the Environment Minister.

Due to the ongoing conservation efforts under ProjectTiger, India has the maximum number of Tigers, alongwith its source areas amongst the 13 Tiger Rangecountries in the world. India is well on the path tocontribute to the Tiger Range by the year 2022 in tunewith St. Petersburg Declaration.

The Global Tiger Day was celebrated with muchfanfare. The celebrations also included two“NukkadNatak” (street plays) by enthusiastic childrenon Tiger conservation. Besides the street plays, twosongs on Tiger conservation were performed by Mr.Sujay Banerjee, an Indian Forest Service officer of UttarPradesh cadre and well-known singer, Mr. AbhishekRay.

Forest Minister Assam, Ms. Pramila Rani Brahma,Minister of Forest and Environment of Odisha, Mr.BijayshreeRoutray, Forest Minister of Chhatisgarh, Mr.Mahesh Gagda, Forest Minister of Uttarakhand, Mr.Harak Singh Rawat and Forest Minister of MadhyaPradesh, Mr. Gauri Shankar Shejwar, as well as seniorofficers from the Ministry of Environment, Forest andClimate Change and National Tiger ConservationAuthority (NTCA), Global Tiger Forum, WWF attendedthe celebrations and also addressed the gathering.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Environment, Forestand Climate Change, Government of India.

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Brief on initiatives taken for Tiger Conservationbased on Parliamentary questions:The compilation of “Glimpses of initiatives taken forTiger Conservation in India based on ParliamentaryQuestions and Replies” includes significantenvironmental information discussed amongst India’sLegislators and Policy Makers in both Houses ofParliament- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Thepublication comprises the concerned environmentalissues and affairs in India in the form of a CompactDisk (CD), which is useful for ready reference byscientists, policy makers, technocrats and otherconcerned with the cause of conservation andsustainable development.

The report describes the questions and answers raisedin both houses of Parliament focusing on WildlifeManagement issues which is quite germane for TigerConservation in 5 years. Several steps have beeninitiated by National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) for tiger conservation and protection includinglegal, administrative, financial, international cooperationand other miscellaneous steps and Standard OperatingProcedures (SOPs).

TIGER REVIVAL IN SATKOSIA: FIRST PHASEEARLY NEXT YEARBy Siba Mohanty | Express News Service | Published:26th July 2017 03:40 AM | Last Updated: 26th July2017 12:26 PM |

BHUBANESWAR: To revive the large cat population inSatkosia, tiger supplementation in the habitat is

proposed to be carried out between January andMarch next year, the State Government told theNational Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) at NewDelhi on Tuesday.

At a meeting convened by Forest and EnvironmentMinister BijayshreeRoutray, the national agency wasapprised of the plans drawn up by the StateGovernment which is planning to re-introduce tigers inSatkosia which is low-density tiger reserve. It just hastwo large cats.

Well-placed sources said the Forest Department isplanning the first release of tigers in the ratio of 1:2(male:female) in the first quarter of next year. A secondrelease will be conducted later in the year with a pair ofmale and female.

The Forest Department informed the NTCA that it hasplanned to bring in the tigers for the first phase releasefrom Maharashtra (Tadoba Tiger Reserve) while thesecond lot is likely to be brought from MadhyaPradesh. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has beenassigned the preparation of the detailed project report,which will be presented to the State Government nextmonth before it is sent to NTCA for final approval.

The WII will take up monitoring and surveillance of thetiger supplementation project for one year and buildcapacity of the Satkosia TR field staff which will takeover the work for the subsequent period.

After the modalities are finalised, the details oftransportation and protocol of release will be devised.

“It will be discussed of a soft release will be preferredover a hard release of the tigers,” sources said. Theproject cost will be shared by the Centre and StateGovernment.

However, before the supplementation, the boundary re-working of Satkosia as well as the relocation of thevillagers from the sanctuary areas will have to becompleted.The meeting also approved the geneticstudy of the melanistic tigers of Odisha. UmaRamakrishnan, scientist of National Centre forBiological Sciences (NCBS) who will lead the study,presented the proposal before the NTCA.Member-secretary of NTCA Debabrata Swain, Field Director ofSimilipal Tiger Reserve HK Bisht and Field Director ofSarkosia Sudarshan Panda were also present at themeeting.

Lansdowne Forest Division Awarded with CA/TSAccreditationThe Lansdowne Forest Division of Uttarakhand wasawarded with Conservation Assured Tiger Standards(CA/TS) accreditation - the first site in India to beaccredited.

The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and ClimateChange, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, presented theaccreditation award to the Lansdowne Forest Divisionof Uttarakhand, which met the managerial standardsfor effective conservation of Tigers. CA|TS has beendeveloped by WWF, working with protected areaagencies in tiger range countries. A voluntary schemefor any organisation involved in tiger conservation, it isbased on 17 elements, with some minimum standardsand criteria for proper management of Tiger reserves.

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3 SUMATRAN TIGERS SPOTTED NEAR BENGKULUCOAL MINE: OFFICIALThe Jakarta PostBengkulu | Thu, October 26, 2017 |12:03 pm

Three Sumatran tigers have been spotted roamingaround a mine belonging to PT Bara Indah Lestari inSeluma regency, located within the Bukit Badas limitedproduction forest (HPT) in the North Seluma district ofBengkulu, kompas.com has reported a localconservation official as saying on Thursday.

“We’ve spotted three tigers in the area in the past fewmonths,” DarwisSaragih, head of the Bengkulu NaturalResource Conservation Agency (BKSDA), said onThursday.

The tigers were seen at night around coal piles at themining site, he added.

The big cats, which are categorized as criticallyendangered on the IUCN Red List of ThreatenedSpecies, have apparently started roaming closer to themine, as their natural habitat has been damaged byforest fires.It is estimated there are only 300 Sumatrantigers left in the wild.

The BKSDA has intensified its monitoring of the threetigers to prevent them from getting too close to localvillages and possibly attacking their cattle livestock.The agency has also been fighting the rampant illegalpoaching in the area, which is part of the Kerinci SeblatNational Park. (dmr).

A Sumatran tiger is captured on a camera installed at the KerinciSeblat National Park by the Natural ResourceConservation Agency (BKSDA).

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TOP 10 MOST WIDELY TRADED ANIMALS IN THEGOLDEN TRIANGLE IDENTIFIED IN NEW REPORTby Mongabay.com on 8 November 2017

o Recent surveys by WWF and TRAFFIC haveidentified 10 of the most widely trafficked animals inthe Golden Triangle.

o These top 10 animals are: the tiger, elephant,pangolin, bear, rhinoceros, serow, helmetedhornbill, gaur, leopard, and turtles.

o The wildlife markets in the Golden Triangle catermostly to tourists from China and Vietnam, thereport noted.

Large casinos, hotels, shopping malls and marketsflourish in Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle — the areawhere Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge. Thesegambling halls and markets, known to be centers ofprostitution and drug trafficking, have now emerged ashubs of wildlife trade.

From tiger skin and bones to skulls, forelegs and gallbladder of the goat-like serow, the Golden Triangle’sshops and hotels have become a haven for illegalwildlife products, according to recent surveys by WWFand TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

Based on these surveys, the teams have identified 10of the most widely trafficked animals in the GoldenTriangle: the tiger, elephant, pangolin, bear, rhinoceros,serow, helmeted hornbill, gaur, leopard, and turtles.

“Bear farms and tiger farms, along with wide open

wildlife markets across the Golden Triangle, are amenace to wild populations of these species andshould be closed,” Bill Possiel, WWF-Greater Mekongregional conservation director, said in a statement.“This region has a deserved reputation as both adestination and source of some of the world’s mostendangered species and that has to stop or thesespecies could go extinct.”

Wildlife parts in the Golden Triangle region. Photocourtesy of WWF-Greater Mekong.

The wildlife markets cater mostly to tourists from China and Vietnam, the survey teams noted in a report. Keen to consume wild animal parts, either intraditional medicines, food, or as symbols of wealth,these often-elite tourists travel to MongLa and Tachilekin Myanmar, and border areas like Boten and theGolden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GT SEZ) inLaos — a joint venture between a Chinese companycalled the Kings Romans Group, and the Laosgovernment.

“Visitors [in GT SEZ] can openly buy endangeredspecies products including tigers, leopards, elephants,rhinos, pangolins, helmeted hornbills, snakes andbears — smuggled in from Asia and Africa,” theEnvironmental Investigation Agency had reported in2015. “Restaurants [offer] endangered species on theirmenus, from “sauté tiger meat” and bear paws toreptiles and pangolins; one business kept a live pythonand a bear cub in cages, both of which were availableto eat on request.”

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Wildlife parts in the Golden Triangle region. Photo courtesy of WWF-Greater Mekong.

ZERO-POACHING PLAN IN PERAK TO BE MADEMODEL FOROTHERSSTPYAHY By Nuradzimmah Daim - July 11, 2017 @ 5:17pm,The Strait Times

IPOH: In an effort to achieve zero-poaching onMalayan tigers in the country by 2020, concertedefforts among various agencies are being drawn upwith Belum-Temengor Forest Complex being slated tobecome a model for other states.

To achieve this, several suggestions were put forth in ahigh-level dialogue held here today, including thesetting up of a secretariat to address poaching inBelum-Temengor that would see engagement withvarious government agencies and non-governmentalorganisations.

World Worldlife Fund Malaysia chief executive officer and executive director Datuk Dr Dionysius S.K. Sharma said the Sultan of Perak, SultanNazrinMuizzuddin Shah, who attended the dialogue,expressed his interest in the conservation efforts toensure the engagement with some 5,000 Orang Asli in the area.

Dionysius said the secretariat, led by the stateEconomic Planning Unit, would include variousagencies including the Wildlife and National ParksDepartment and the Armed Forces, as well asenvironmental non-governmental organisation.

“We are looking at implementing the efforts on Belum-Temenggor forest that can be used as a modelnationwide.

“It will also involve closer cooperation withneighbouring countries as smuggling of endangeredspecies is a transboundary crime.

“In this respect, we are also looking at the tigerconservation plan that is currently being implementedby Nepal which saw success with zero poaching in2011 and 2014,” he said.

The Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said amendments toWildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) is also in thepipeline to give more bite to enforcement agencies,with maximum penalties for hunting protected wildlife

under Section 68 and Section 69 would be amendedfrom RM500,000 and five-year jail to RM1 million, andto also include whipping.

He said a survey on tiger population here, whichstarted early this year is expected to be concluded byend of the year. It was reported that the number ofMalayan tigers had dropped to between 250 and 340from 500 in 2008.

Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir reiterated the state’s commitment inaddressing the poaching issue in Belum-Temengorwhich covers an area of 8,000 sqkm and is one of the largest habitat for the Malayan tiger population inthe country.

1,936 WILD ANIMALS FROM 76 SPECIES SEIZEDBY WILDLIFE DEPTPosted on 10 August 2017 — 12:23 am Last updatedon 10 August 2017 - 12:29 am

KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National ParksDepartment confiscated 1,936 wild animals, involving76 species, in operations to curb smuggling ofprotected wildlife conducted between September lastyear and last April, the Parliament was told today.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said 269 of the animals comprised 21 species of exoticwildlife.

“The exotic wildlife are from other countries where tradeand cross-border movement of these species aresubjected to the regulations stipulated by theConvention on International Trade In EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Wild Flora (CITES),” it saidin a written reply to a question by Datuk Dr Noor AzmiGhazali (BN-Bagan Serai).

Noor Azmi wanted to know efforts by the ministry toprotect and prevent death of exotic animals which wereseized by the Wildlife Department.

The ministry said the death rate of wild animals incaptivity was 10.2% and the cause of death was,among others, trauma, stress and injury.

However, it said efforts were being made by the Wildlife

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Department to improve the existing Standard OperatingProcedures (SOP) on the care of wildlife seized by thedepartment.

In response to a question by Datuk RozmanIsli (BN-Labuan) on the ministry’s action plan to save the

Sumatran rhinoceros from extinction, where there arereported to be only 275 of the animals in Malaysia andIndonesia, it said it would be carried out through aSumatran RhinocerosTransboundary Conservationproject with Indonesia.

— Bernama

7TH WORLD TIGER DAYPublished: July 27, 2017 12:26 pm, The HimalayanTimes Rastriya Samachar Samiti

KATHMANDU: Department of National Park andWildlife Conservation is organising variousprogrammes to mark the seventh World Tiger Day onSaturday.

This year’s International Tiger Day was celebrated withthe slogan ‘Fresh Ecology For Tigers’ Protection’.

The conference of the heads of 13 countries — wheretigers are available — held at Saint Petersburg ofRussia in 2010 took the decision to mark the worldtiger day on July 29 every year.

As per the decision of the conference to double thenumber of tigers by 2020, Nepal has also beenincreasing its efforts for the conservation of tigers.

Data shows that number of tigers has increased from121 in 2009 to 198 in 2013.

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A Royal Bengal tiger is seen in the Chitwan National Park in Chitwan district, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.

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23GTFNEWSThe Department’s Under Secretary Bishnu PrasadShrestha informed that the census of tiger would betaken this year as it is conducted in every four years inNepal.

EFFORTS TO BRING BAKER TO TRIAL IN NEPALUNDER WAY, SAY POLICEPublished: August 03, 2017 5:08 am On: NepalHimalayan News Service

o Wildlife body parts, including skin, skulls and bonesof tiger, leopard and antelope as well asarchaeological items were seized from Baker’shouse

Kathmandu, August 2Nepal Police is making its best efforts to bring Ian Baker, who was recently arrested in Greece, to trial in Nepal, where he faces charges of wildlifecrime.

The American citizen, also a noted writer, was arrestedfrom Athens by Greece police on June 17. Interpol hadissued a red corner notice in the name of Baker onApril 3, 2015 on the recommendation of NationalCentral Bureau, Kathmandu.

In May 2008, police had raided his Baluwatar-basedrented house and confiscated a huge cache of body

parts of endangered wild animals. He was out of Nepalduring the raid and had been absconding since.

More than 100 sets of body parts, including skin, fur,skulls and bones of tiger, leopard, antelope and fox,among other wild animals, and various archaeologicalitems were recovered from his residence. According topolice, this was the single biggest seizure of wildanimal parts.

“The arrest of Baker shows that countries across theworld are committed to bringing criminals to justice, nomatter where they are and how long they have beenabsconding. Countries have never doubted theauthenticity and fairness of crime investigationconducted by Nepal Police,” Central PoliceSpokesperson SSP Pushkar Karki told The HimalayanTimes.

He said Baker’s extradition to Nepal would send aproud and positive message to the world.

“This would not only strengthen global efforts againstwildlife crimes but also aid in the exchange of mutualcooperation,” said SSP Karki.

According to the National Parks and WildlifeConservation Act 1973, anyone found guilty ofcommitting wildlife crime is liable to up to 15 years injail or a fine of up to one million rupees or both.

RUSSIA

NEW SIGHTINGS OF ‘PUTIN’S TIGERS’ ARE GOODNEWS FOR CONSERVATION IN RUSSIABy Adam C. Stein, Vyacheslav Kastrikin and AlekseyAntonov

Various independent sightings confirm that several of“Putin’s tigers”-after nearly a year of hiding in theshadows-are alive and well in Amur Oblast Province ofthe Russian Far East. The first report came near theeve of the New Year from the Khingano-ArkaharinskyFederal Refuge, where Alexander Bochkarev-the formerdirector of Khingansky Nature Reserve-discovered thefresh trail of an adult male tiger.

It is speculated that the tracks belonged to one of thereleased males, Kuzya. Nearly three weeks later, locals

reported fresh tiger tracks also belonging to a malenear the Khingan River, which marks the boundarybetween Amur Oblast and the Jewish AutonomousRepublic. Around the same time, a villager stumbledacross tiger tracks roughly 20 kilometers(approximately 12.4 miles) to the northwest, on theborder of Khingansky Nature Reserve adjacent to thevillage of Kundur. These tracks, however, belonged to afemale-possibly Ilona-another in the trio of Putin’stigers.

Given the size and trajectory of the tracks, it wasevident that this was the same female tiger whosetracks were later discovered by a team of internationalbiologists within Khingansky Nature Reserve. Then onJan. 19, the staff of Khingansky Nature Reserve

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received a call from the Russian border patrol,operating at their post on the Russian-Chinese bordernear the southern edge of Khingansky Nature Reserve.The guards had spotted a large tiger near their post;tracks revealed that the tiger was a large male.

Tigers are nothing new in the province of Amur Oblast,where there have been at least 38 documented

encounters during the 20th century. The regionrepresents the northwestern-most boundary of theSiberian tiger’s range although it had no residentpopulation of tigers. Biologists determined that therewas enough game and space to support a smallpopulation of tigers, and in May of 2014, RussianPresident Vladimir Putin released three young tigers,Kuzya, Borya and Ilona in Zhelundinsky Nature Reserve.

Evidence of the tiger passing near the Khingan River. The size indicates that the individual was a male.

Ilona, captured on a camera trap in Khingansky Nature ReserveKhingansky Reserve

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25GTFNEWSThe tigers continued to make international news aftertheir release when Kuzya crossed over to China andfeasted on domestic animals in the winter of 2014.Additionally, evidence indicated that in the summer of2015, Borya killed and consumed a Himalayan bear.Most recently, Borya charmed the public by fatheringthree cubs in the Jewish Autonomous Republic.

Upon their release into the wild, each of the cats werefitted with GPS collars and transmitters, allowingbiologists to track their movements. The collars weredesigned to provide information on their whereaboutsfor twelve months past release (May 2015). Signalsdropped off for Kuzya and Ilona in the autumn of 2015,but tracks and photos from camera traps indicated thatIlona had settled into Khingansky Nature Reserve inSouthern Amur Oblast.

The last evidence of any tiger’s presence in AmurOblast was Ilona’s tracks in Khingansky NatureReserve, discovered in February 2017. Evidence oftiger presence has evaded biologists since then,mainly due to the thick vegetation that emerges inwarmer months. Winter provides ideal conditions formonitoring mammals, given the lack of foliage and

snow cover to preserve tracks. Last December’s lack of snow, however, halted the bi-annual mammal census within Khingansky Nature Reserve,leaving a troubling question mark on tiger activities and whereabouts.

The tracks and sightings not only indicate the tiger’slocation, but also provide hints that these tigers havefully assimilated to life in Amur Oblast. For instance,one tiger track indicated that it was stalking a group ofwild boars that had recently been feeding on buriedequisetum. Scratch marks on trees along the trail alsopoint to territorial practices well beyond commonwandering behavior.

The 2014 reintroduction of tigers to Amur Oblast is awelcome success to tiger conservation. Although theSiberian tiger population has been increasing over thelast several years, there still only remain about 500individuals in the wild. The growth and expansion oftigers in Russia-along with the willing participation oflocals to share information about tiger sightings-is atestament to Russia’s commitment to protecting thespecies. Russia’s tiger population represents about 10percent of all tigers found in the wild.

THAILAND

NEW DISCOVERY OF SECOND TIGERPOPULATION IN THAILAND FOUND IN THAP LANWORLD HERITAGE SITEJuly 15, 2017

The world’s second breeding population ofIndochinese tigers (Panthera tigriscorbetti) wasdiscovered May 2017 in Thailand’s Dong-PhayayenKhao Yai Forest Complex — a UNESCO WorldHeritage site where Global Conservation is fundingGlobal Park Defense.

According to one of over 120 cameras installed in theforests by the Department of National Parks Wildlife andPlant Conservation (DNP), Panthera and FreelandFoundation between June last year and February thisyear, there are an estimated 18 tigers in the national park.

This remarkable discovery now makes Thailand hometo two breeding populations of this tiger subspecies, asignificant step toward ensuring their long-term survival

in the wild. This is the first positive news in the region indecades for the species.

According to the department, there are 18 tigers livingin the Eastern Forest Complex.

He said there is a possibility the tigers will be movedfrom Thap Lan National Park to Khao Yai National Parkafter the construction of a wildlife corridor is complete.

“Camera footage shows tigers walking around theplace close to the construction site. We hope the tigerswill use it to cross to Khao Yai, which could become anew home for them as their population increases,”added Mr Songtham. The wildlife corridor will soon linkboth national parks, which were earlier cut off byHighway 304.

Petch Manopawitr, IUCN’s conservation scientist,lauded Thailand forest officials on their outstanding jobon tiger conservation in core areas by using a

comprehensive “SMART patrol system”, which canhelp reduce wildlife poaching.

Global Conservation and WCS Thailand are workingtogether to assist the Department of National ParksWildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to protect thehighly endangered Thap Lan World Heritage Park in the‘Rosewood Wars’.

Global Conservation’s support for Global Park Defensein Thap Lan is reducing illegal logging and wildlifepoaching opening the possibility for the repopulation oftigers in Southeast Asia.

The discovery of at least six cubs in Thap Lan NationalPark, which connects to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, isgiving conservationists hope that Thailand might beable to double its tiger population by 2022.

The precise location of the discovery of the cubs hasbeen kept secret to prevent hunters finding them.

While conservationists welcome these exciting newfindings, they warn of the continued decline of tigerselsewhere in Thailand and across their global range.Currently, there are less than 3,200 tigers living in the

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A curious male tiger in Eastern Thailand.

Two young tiger cubs are among the first ever photographed in Eastern Thailand, lend new hope that their population canbe recovered.

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forest, down 97% from 100,000 a century ago, due topoaching, and loss of forest reserve caused by humanactivities.

Songtham Suksawang, director of the ThailandNational Parks Division, said female tigers in the wildusually give birth twice a year; the problem now is howto provide enough food and territory for them. If there isenough food, safe territory and a good patrol team thatcan prevent wildlife poaching, the tiger population iscertain to increase, he added.

“We have found new cubs in the park for the first time

in 15 years. This reflects the importance of having aneffective patrol system. "If everything is in place, we arelikely to meet our target of doubling the tigerpopulation,” said Mr Songtham, adding successfulmeasures will be replicated at other tiger parks.

The camera trap survey was conducted using the“photographic capture-recapture” method revealing adensity of 0.63 tigers per 100 square kilometers (~1.63tigers per 100 square miles ). While the scientific datasuggests an exceptionally low tiger density - on parwith some of the most threatened tiger habitats in theworld — the findings, “demonstrate the species’

remarkable resilience given intensive wildlife poachingand illegal rosewood logging present in the Complex”.

Thailand was thought to house only one remainingviable breeding population of wild Indochinese tigers inHuai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary to the west of thecountry, which was reported to have 35-58 individualsas of February 2016.

The discovery of this “new” population is the result ofmonths monitoring with specifically-designed cameratraps, and weeks of hard trekking through the forest byrangers and conservationists throughout 2016.

Worldwide, currently only an estimated 3,000-4,000tigers remain in the wild, and according to IUCN theynow inhabit less than 6 percent of their historical range,which once spanned from Turkey across Asia toRussia’s eastern coast. Listed as endangered on theIUCN Red List of Threatened Species, breedingpopulations of wild tigers were thought to exist inthirteen different countries as recently as 2006, but theircontinued sharp decline now sees them only in eight(Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,Nepal, Thailand and Russia).

“The stepping up of anti-poaching patrols and lawenforcement efforts in this area have played a pivotalrole in conserving the tiger population by ensuring asafe environment for them to breed,” the Director of theNational Parks Division of the DNP SongtamSuksawang said in the statement. “However, we mustremain vigilant and continue these efforts, becausewell-armed poachers still pose a major threat.”

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, theDPKY-FC is one of mainland Southeast Asia’s lastcontiguous tracts of forest providing adequate habitatfor tigers. Thailand’s wild tiger populations have beendriven to the brink of extinction chiefly due to habitatloss, rampant poaching, and overhunting of their preyanimals. Fewer than 200 wild tigers are thought toremain in Thailand.

In 2011, the IUCN described the extent of the recentdecline of the Indochinese subspecies as “serious”and “approaching the threshold of CriticallyEndangered.” If wild tigers are permitted to go extinct,“it would be the largest carnivore to do so since theAmerican lion (Panthera leoatrox) died out at the end ofthe Pleistocene, approximately 10,000 years ago,”John Vaillant wrote in “The Tiger.”

In 2016, tigers were declared in next door Cambodia tobe “functionally extinct” stating, “there are no longer anybreeding populations of tigers left in Cambodia,” largelydue to intensive poaching and continued deforestationof Cambodia’s tropical dry forest ecosystems.

In Thailand, illegal Siamese rosewood logging rages onacross the entire DPKY-FC, the illegal loggersincreasingly pose a deadly threat to the freshlydiscovered wild tiger population.

With the support of Global Conservation and WildlifeConservation Society (WCS) Thailand, the country hasramped up protection against Siamese rosewoodpoaching syndicates using hundreds of Cambodianloggers.

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Two young tiger cubs are among the first ever photographed in Eastern Thailand, lend new hope that their population canbe recovered.

CAMERA TRAP IMAGE COURTESY OF DNP/FREELAND/PANTHERA

The Global Park Defense program in Thap Lan WorldHeritage is led by the Department of National ParksWildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) with technicalsupport from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)Thailand. Across the DPKF-FC, officials are deployingnew motion-sensor cameras that can send images inalmost real-time to an email account, allowing them tokeep track of multiple areas at once without having todeploy rangers to those locations.

In June 2015 the DNP formed an elite group of forestrangers called “Hasadin” specifically tasked withcurbing the species’ rampant poaching andsubsequent degradation of Thailand’s eastern forests.

Continued illegal logging, ongoing road expansion andencroachment within the Dong Phayayen-Khao YaiForest Complex saw the World Heritage Committeewarn of a potential downgrading of the complex to the

“World Heritage in Danger List” in 2015.

Subject to such extreme levels of poaching, tigers areonly believed to have survived in the area due to anearly recognition of the significance of this EasternThailand forest complex for the species’ future inThailand, and a strict, long-term investment in well-implemented, counter-poaching law enforcementefforts from the national government.

Thailand’s World Heritage Forest Complex is home toprime forested habitat that, with significant conservationresources, could support eight times as many tigers asit does now. With continued infiltration of rigorous anti-poaching protection, there is no doubt that thispopulation can be fully recovered, burgeoning into atiger stronghold and serving as a source of life anddiversity for depleted tiger populations in Cambodia,Lao PDR and throughout the species’ range.

VIETNAM, UK EXPERTS TALK TO FIGHT WILDLIFETRAFFICKINGExperts from government and law enforcementagencies of Vietnam and the UK met at a conference inHanoi on September 7 to discuss measures to combatthe illegal wildlife trade.

UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever said fighting

wildlife trafficking is becoming increasingly importantfor both the UK and Vietnam.

To protect wild animals and eradicate illegal wildlife products, stronger political commitment iscrucial, as is improving the law enforcement’s capacity and promoting community awareness, heemphasised.

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The conference on tackling illegal wildlife trade takes place in Hanoi on September 7-8.

He added Vietnam plays an important role and itscooperation with the UK can help determine solutionsand implement them.

Col. Nguyen Van Chieu, Deputy Director of the externalrelations department of the Ministry of Public Security,said Vietnam pays attention to protecting biodiversityand wild animals, especially endangered ones.

It has joined many international conventions, set upspecialised forces such as environmental police, andsigned cooperation agreements with customs forces inthis field.

He noted on September 6, customs officers at theSaigon Port Border Gate and anti-smuggling policeseized more than 1.34 tonnes of elephant ivory.

At the two-day conference, participants looked intochallenges in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

Representatives of the UK Border Force, BritishAirways and Heathrow Airport shared experience incoordinating law enforcement units, airportmanagement agencies and airlines, personnel training,the role of local administrations, and caring for seizedwild animals.

— VNA

REGIONAL NATIONS HOLD DIALOGUE ONCOMBATING WILDLIFE SMUGGLING, POACHINGLast update 10:53 | 15/09/2017

VietNamNet Bridge: More efforts are needed tostrengthen and support collaboration among ASEAN countries and China to combat the increasingwildlife smuggling and poaching of endangeredwildlife, the 4th Regional Dialogue on CombatingTrafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora heard in Bangkokon Wednesday.

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources andEnvironment General SurasakKanjanarat said: “Despitea domestic decline in illegal cases, the illegalinternational trades still exist. No matter how much wecan do by ourselves at the national level, it is neverenough. Only through the spirit of collaboration amongASEAN member states, China and concerned partnersin an action-oriented effort can this problem beeffectively addressed throughout the entire supplychain.”

ThanyaNetithammakun, director general of the ThaiDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and PlantConservation, said in his opening speech: “[Thedialogue] focuses on exchange of information,including best practices and challenges to strengthen

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The 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora started in Bangkok on September 13.

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regional collaboration in the context of illegal traffickingof CITES-listed species of wild fauna and flora and theirproducts, especially tiger, pangolin, ivory and rhinohorn.”

The two-day event will see country updates,presentations, and group and panel discussions by 40delegates from ASEAN countries and China and some80 representatives from various local and internationalagencies.

Recently Viet Nam has emerged as a destination formany illegal wildlife products.

David Lawson, USAID Saving Species Project’s Chiefof Party told Viet Nam News: “It’s probably related tothe fact that Viet Nam is becoming a wealthier country,so now people can afford things they can’t before. Andone of the things culturally people want to get arethings like rhino horns and ivory, and because of thelimited population of rhinos and elephants, that’s wherethe problem is.

"Viet Nam in July has approved a penal code, and thatis a really good illustration because the penalty forillegally possessing rhino horn and ivory now is muchgreater.

"That penal code will come into action in early 2018.But part of that process then is to assist in producingthe guidelines and things for prosecutors and judges todo training programmes for police and customs.

"I think that the dialogues are important to raiseawareness at a high level. I mean you got some seniorpeople here in all 10 countries, and these sorts ofdialogues do help keep the picture alive.”

Vuong Tien Manh, deputy director of the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development’s CITES (theConvention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora) ManagementAuthority and head of the Vietnamese delegation, said:“Viet Nam greatly welcomes the dialogue becauseefforts from one nation cannot stop the cross-bordercrime. We came to the dialogue, learnt and shared ourexperience in making and enforcing laws, increasingawareness and reducing demand for wildlife products.”

Pham Tien Trinh, a customs official, said: “The mostimportant thing is that through dialogue Viet Nam canset up a network to exchange information with othernations to deal with illegal wildlife trafficking in thefastest and most effective way.”

— VNS

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NEWS FROM INTERNATIONAL NGOs

IFAW’S WORK AROUND THE GLOBE ON INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY

BY: GAIL A’BRUNZO POSTED: JUL 29 2017

Tiger populations around the world face anumber of increasing challenges in thestruggle for their place in the wild. Humanencroachment into habitat. Poaching.Hunting. Private ownership.

These are a few of the mounting obstacles threateningtigers, both wild and captive.

International Fund for Animal Welfare carries a longhistory of work in our continued fight for the survivaland wellbeing of all tiger species. Whether rescuedfrom poachers or confiscated from private owners inthe United States, IFAW has remained consistent inprotecting tigers.

POPULATION CONSERVATIONIn the Russian Far East, IFAW partnered with Trans-Regional Non-Governmental Organization Center forRehabilitation of Tigers and Other Rare Animals (TRNGO)and the Russian government to secure criticallandscapes for endangered Amur tigers. It was in 2006when we helped form two national parks, responsible forproviding the landscape for our rescued, rehabilitated

and released Amur tigers. It wasn’t even thought possibleto successfully release a rescued Amur tiger back to thewild, nevertheless, we pioneered with TRNCO and in2013, Amur tigress Zolushka, “Cinderella” in Russian,was released into a secure habitat. Not only did shesurvive, she thrived and even reproduced in the wild.

Two years later, Zolushka was the first ever releasedAmur tiger to give birth in the wild, a milestone successfor any animal released back to the wild. And more tothe point, her cubs added a critical increase ofnumbers to the overall Amur tiger population.

With the proof rehabilitated Amur tigers could bereleased back to the wild, IFAW assisted in the largestever release of Amur tigers into the Russian Far East.

Then, in late spring of 2017, two more rescued tigers,Filippa and Vladik were released. Both are doing wellby all reports.

Following in Zolushka’s footsteps, another tigress,Svetlaya, was captured in May of this year with at leastone cub by a carefully placed camera trap.

Svetlaya, a rehabilitated and released Amur tiger.

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LANDSCAPE CONSERVATIONIFAW has taken a global, holistic approach to tigerconservation, which includes making a positive impacton landscape and communities surrounding criticallandscapes to tiger populations. IFAW has partneredwith Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to protect tigers inIndia. Manas National Park, located in northeast India,is home to the largest remaining wild tiger population inthe world. IFAW helped triple the size of Manas NP,which is a protected area and native tiger habitat.Through the formation of Sariska Tiger Reserve, IFAW-WTI paved the way for the reintroduction of tigers afterlocal tiger populations were wiped out by poachers.

As previously stated, IFAW also helped establish twonational parks in the Russian Far East. Those parks arenow home to a growing population of wild Amur tigers.With space to roam and reproduce, there is hope forthe Amur tiger species.

COMMUNITY SUCCESSESHuman populations, in India particularly, continue togrow and conflict with wildlife over land and resourcescontinue to pose a threat to the survival of the species.For tigers, contact with communities near their territorymeans potential harm to both humans and tigers.IFAW-WTI works with local communities in mitigatingsuch interactions. One tiger who strayed close to acommunity in near Manas National Park became aconcern for the community. The decision was made torelocate the tiger back into the park, and he would bemonitored via satellite collar. Until the collar released asprogrammed, the IFAW-WTI team was able to

determine he had survived over 3 years without cominginto contact with another community. We celebrate thisstory and it encourages us that humans and wildlifecan coexist. IFAW-WTI experts were able to workalongside local government officials and provide theexpertise and technical oversight for moving such ananimal.

COMBATTING PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF TIGERSIt is estimated that there are more than 10,000 captivebig cats in private hands across the country. In additionto being kept in deplorable conditions, these animals-many of which are not subject to reporting ordocumentation requirements under current federal andstate law-threaten public safety, place first respondersin harm’s way, and drain financial resources from localpolice and emergency departments. IFAW’s Big CatPublic Safety Act, if enacted, will protect animals andpeople alike throughout the US.

Our Big Cat Safety Act seeks to close loopholes thatallow private possession of big cats by unqualifiedindividuals. You can sign the petition here and tellCongress to protect big cats.

As the public increasingly rejects the exploitation of bigcats for entertainment and tourism, calls for essentialprotections in the wild, and acknowledges that apexpredators are not pets-both in the US and abroad-it istime to take the next step and bring an end to thedangerous exotic animal trade. I look forward toworking with you to pass this critical legislation andprotect big cats.

33GTFNEWS

Sheba, rescued by IFAW and the In-Sync Wildlife Rescue and Education Center.

Dr. UllasKaranth, Emeritus Director, CWS hascoedited a scientific book on monitoring tigerand prey populations with Emeritus Scientist

James D Nichols formerly of the USGS. The 32coauthors of the volume represent a wide range ofexpertise and institutions including: Indian StatisticalInstitute, Wildlife Institute of India, National Centre forBiological Sciences, Forest Department GovernmentDepartments of Forestry and Wildlife in Thailand,Malaysia and Rajasthan, India; US Geological Survey;Universities of Oxford, St. Andrews, Florida, WildlifeConservation Society, World Wide Fund for Nature,Forum Harimau Kita, Feral and Centre for WildlifeStudies.

The publication in 2002 of Monitoring Tigers and TheirPrey: A Manual for Researchers, Managers andConservationists, also edited by Dr. K. UllasKaranthand Dr. James D. Nichols (with an accompanying videoguide) led to the widespread adoption of reliableapproaches to estimating population and demographicparameters of tigers, their prey, as well as a host ofother endangered wildlife species globally. In the 15years since the publication of that volume, there hasbeen very rapid growth in approaches used for animalpopulation assessments and analyses.

In view of these developments, Drs.Karanth and Nicholshave co-edited a new volume titled Methods forMonitoring Tiger and Prey Populations, published bySpringer Nature, Singapore. The book draws on theexpertise of 32 accomplished scientists with expertise in arange of sub-disciplines, ranging from the biological andstatistical bases for population estimation, through theapplication of distance sampling to estimating preydensities, the use of recently-developed spatial capture-recapture models to estimating tiger demographicparameters, newly developed hierarchical approaches toestimating prey densities, occupancy sampling andmodelling to assess distribution and occupancy dynamicsand methods for assessing landscape connectivity as wella proposal for embedding such rigorous monitoring in anadaptive management framework. For key methods suchas distance sampling, spatial capture-recapture samplingand occupancy estimation, the book describes criticalaspects of statistical survey design, field planning prior tosurveys, protocols for systematic field data collection,storage, organization and validation, and explains thestatistical modelling and analyses with details ofappropriate software options necessary.

— The book is available both as print and electronicversions at https://www.springer.com/in/book/

9789811054358.

NEWS FROM NATIONAL NGOs

CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE STUDIES (CWS)NEW EDITED VOLUME: METHODS FOR MONITORING TIGER AND PREY POPULATIONS

34 GTFNEWS

THE CORBETT FOUNDATION

I) WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

a) “Elephants, Tigers, Cows and CommunityEngagement for Conservation in India”, Speechby Dr. Naveen Pandey at the University ofEdinburgh.Dr Naveen Pandey, Deputy Director and VeterinaryAdvisor of TCF delivered a speech on the topic of“Elephants, Tigers, Cows and CommunityEngagement for Conservation in India” at the Royal(Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University ofEdinburgh on the 30th November 2017. Dr Pandeyemphasized the need of a holistic approach while

attending to the cases of conflict in conservationareas. He also insisted that wild attacks onlivestock needs more investigation to identify thefactors or reasons triggering this behaviour in wildanimals. He opined that the wildlife conservationprofessionals should probe deeper into theseissues with landscape approach leading to thebetterment of wildlife and their habitats. Heelaborated on the strategies followed and workdone by TCF to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.Prof. Ana Meredith and Prof. Neil Sargison alongwith faculty and students at the Roslyn Instituteattended Dr. Pandey’s speech with keen interest.

b) International Tiger Day celebration:Saving tiger is equivalent to conserving entireecosystem, which is crucial for man’s very ownexistence. Creating awareness & spreadingknowledge about this fact to local communities is akey to achieve the goals of conservation. From Julyto December 2017, various initiatives were taken atKanha, Bandhavgarh& Corbett Tiger Reserves, byTCF including celebration of ‘International TigerDay’ on 29th July to accomplish this objective. Theinitiatives comprised of organising essaycompetitions, presentations, movie shows, rallies,art competitions, wildlife and environment quiz inthe schools and villages.

1. Camera trapsTCF is involved in studying patterns and incidentsof tigers venturing into human settlements andattacking livestock. When the tiger attack on humanwas reported from the Goshanobor village underCentral Range, TCF team immediately deployed 16camera traps at different wildlife trails in Goshaniborarea which is merely about 50 meters from theboundary of Kaziranga National Park. After rigorousfield work of two weeks the team could captureimages of a tiger on five different nights inGoshanibor. The photographs were shared withKaziranga National Park authorities for furtherinvestigation and tallying with their tiger database.TCF’s efforts have helped the national parkmanagement to make necessary managementinterventions inside the park in the form ofincreased surveillance.

2. Monsoon patrollingMonsoon is the time when the poachers are mostactive in the protected areas posing threats to long-term conservation of wildlife. To address this issue,TCF team at Bandhavgarh collaborated with ForestDepartment of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) tohelp them conduct the patrolling more effectively inManpur range of the BTR. The team conducts footpatrolling in day time while vehicle patrolling duringnights. Patrolling helped team to provide reportsabout encroachment on forest land, livestock killingby tigers and movement of tigers towards thevillage.

3. Capacity Building of the Field Staff of BalaghatForest DivisionsTCF facilitated visits of its Scientific Advisors Dr.AJT Johnsingh and Dr. AsadRahmani to BalaghatNorth and Balaghat South forest divisions, a part ofthe critical Kanha-Pench Corridor. The field staff ofthese divisions walked for over 15 km throughthese forests and learnt several important aspectsof wildlife tracks and signs and the local flora andfauna.

Tiger trapped in camera at Kanha Tiger Reserve

Monsoon patrolling at Bandhavgad Tiger Reserve

Tiger trapped in camera at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve

Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) currently works in130 national parks (NPs) and wildlife sanctuaries(WLS) across 23 Indian states, covering 82% of 50

tiger reserves (TR) and 18% of approximately 733Protected Areas (PA). With over 3.5 million people livinginside TRs and three hundred million dependent on naturalecosystems, we cannot separate communities fromconservation. Thus, WCT lays equal emphasis on wildlifeconservation and community development in forestedareas.

SUPPORT FOR FOREST DEPARTMENTSDeeply concerned about the challenging workingconditions of India’s frontline forest staff, WCT issupporting them with essential equipment. Between Julyand December 2017, WCT has equipped 16 Anti-PoachingCamps (APCs) of Chikamagaluru forest division inKarnataka, 279 APCs of Kanha TR with, and provided first-aid kits, forensic kits, GPS units, digital cameras, shoes,winter jackets, backpacks, rain suits, etc.to 275 temporaryworkers of Manas TR in Assam, 140 frontline forest staff ofPakke TR, Arunachal Pradesh, 90 staff members of StateTiger Strike Force of Madhya Pradesh and binoculars tonature guides of Dudhwa TR.

CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR FRONTLINE FOREST STAFFThe Wildlife Law Enforcement Training (WLET) team atWCT has in the period of July - December, 2017 conductedfour capacity building workshops on wildlife law and crimeprevention, covering 400 trainees from forest traininginstitutes across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Inaddition, the WLET team conducted a similar three-dayworkshop for 21 officers of the Himachal Pradesh ForestDepartment at Greater Himalayan National Park.

LAW ENFORCEMENT MONITORING (LEM)WCT, in partnership with Wildlife Institute of India (WII) andState forest departments, is assisting the TRs inimplementing MSTrIPES, a Patrol-based Wildlife MonitoringGIS Database system. During the reporting period, WCThas conducted refresher trainings for over 200 frontlineforest staff from the Pench TR, Bor TR, Nawegaon-NagziraTR (NNTR) and Melghat TR, in Maharashtra on MSTrIPESimplementation.

CONSERVATION RESEARCH Tiger population estimationWCT is assisting Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh forestdepartments in implementation and capacity building offrontline staff for the IVth All India Tiger Estimation (AITE),2018 exercise. WCT has completed fieldwork in the Borand Melghat TR (Core + buffer), Maharashtra.

36 GTFNEWS

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST (WCT)UPDATES FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2017

37GTFNEWS

On December 22, 2017, members of the RapidResponse Team (RRT) of Wildlife Trust ofIndia’s Vidarbha Tiger Project - run in

partnership with the Maharashtra Forest Departmentand the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) - assisted Forest Department and Special TigerProtection Force (STPF) personnel in tranquilising andcapturing a male tiger that ventured into a village in theTumsar region of Vidarbha. The following is a from-the-ground account of the operation.

On December 18, 2017 in the village of Sita Saongi,located in the Tumsar region of the BhandaraDistrict, afull grown male tiger (Panthera tigristigris) emerged outof “almost nowhere” and decided to take a strollaround the village — from the market to the local busstop to the railway track that passes though the village.

Although the tiger seemed to be fairly comfortable withhuman proximity, it was clearly not enjoying the massattention. It appeared to be frantically seeking a wayout of the mayhem, which it finally found, taking refugein a small but dense scrub patch of around 34hectares. With sufficient cover at its disposal it alsomanaged to grab an unsuspecting goat for its meal.The tiger’s presence in the village galvanised the localforest department into action, and formal permission totranquilise the animal and remove it from the area wassought from the Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra.WTI’s Rapid Response Team (RRT); an all-encompassing conflict mitigation unit with veterinary,biological and sociological skill sets and vitalimmobilisation and capture equipment), placed atBhandara under a joint initiative with the Maharashtra

Forest Department and IUCN, was called in to assist inthe operation.

On reaching the spot, RRT members swung into actionwith members of the Maharashtra Forest Department, theSTPF, and members of another on-ground conservationpartner organisation named Save Ecosystem and Tiger(SEAT). Intensive scouting operations initially failed toreveal the tiger’s exact location, although the teamnarrowed the search to a patch of scrub forest where itwas probably taking refuge.

On December 21, the tiger was briefly sighted by somelocal youth and on-ground personnel redoubled theirefforts to locate the animal. Pugmarks from a half-eatengoat kill were tracked, reports of authentic sightings bylocals were sought, and camera traps were strategicallyplaced over the course of the day. The next day,at thefirst opportunity Dr Sharma and an STPF officialdelivered three doses of sedative that safely immobilisedthe tiger. It was quickly wrapped in nylon nets andmoved into a capture crate, and then onto a completelycovered rescue van which was used to transport it to theGorewada Rescue Centre near Nagpur.

An initial medical examination by RRT veterinariansfound it to be a healthy male, approximately 4-5 yearsold, without any sort of infirmity - all canines and clawsintact, no structural deformities or disabling wounds,except for a single large wart on the left side of itsnose. The tiger is currently housed at the GorewadaCentre and awaits further examination, particularly ofthe wart, before a decision to release it back into thewild can be taken by the forest department.

WILDLIFE TRUST OF INDIA (WTITHE UNEXPECTED GUEST: WHEN A TIGER VISITED A VILLAGE IN TUMSAR

WWF-India’s initiatives for tiger conservation inthe past six months included the following: (a)increased engagement with government

agencies, and community members to strengthenmonitoring of key wildlife habitats; (b) initiatedassessment of potential tiger conservation sites as partof Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) inSatpudaMaikal landscape; (c) introduced sustainablelivelihood option through ethnic food and hospitalitytraining to local communities in Kaziranga, Assam (d)conducted outreach programmes to foster civil societyengagement in conservation such as the Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor Walk in SatpudaMaikalLandscape, and (e) developed a report that provides adetailed baseline of biodiversity of the IndianSundarbans and provides a critical evaluation of thecurrent state of biodiversity in the area. Besides these,a series of other initiatives were also undertaken underthe tiger conservation programme of WWF-India.

1. Protecting tigers by securing habitat and raisingawareness: Conservation Assured | TigerStandards (CA|TS) was launched as a partnershipbetween governments, NGOs and tigerconservation areas in 2013. Under thisaccreditation scheme, registered sites wheremanagement and protection have met prescribed

standards are evaluated. Initial level assessmentwas carried out in two sites at TamorPingla WildlifeSanctuary and Guru Ghasidas National Park inChhattisgarh and Bhramapuri Division inMaharashtra. Based on the assessment by atechnical team, reports for the registered sites willbe evaluated which will further be recommended forCA|TS accreditation by the National Committee.The International Committee will review thisrecommendation and take a final decision onCA|TS accreditation of the proposed sites. Earlierthis year, in the Terai Arc Landscape, LansdowneForest Division was accredited under the CA|TSmaking it an important site for implementation ofglobal standards for conservation management.

Additionally, WWF-India’s Satpuda MaikalLandscape in partnership with the Madhya Pradeshand Chhattisgarh forest departments organised theKanha-Achanakmar Corridor Walk between 10-16November, 2017. This unique activity broughttogether enthusiastic individuals transcending allage groups from across the country. The groupwalked the length of the Kanha-Achanakmarcorridor covering approximately 50 km whichconnects Kanha Tiger Reserve and AchanakmarTiger Reserve. The group encountered an amazing

38 GTFNEWS

WWF - INDIAPROTECTING TIGERS AND THEIR HABITATS

UPDATE FROM THE TIGER LANDSCAPES OF WWF-INDIA

variety of wildlife signs along the way includingleopard scat, tiger pugmarks, scratch marks ofsloth bears and patches of land dug up by wildboars. The walk aimed at raising awareness onconservation of corridors among common people.

2. Tiger monitoring in key wildlife corridors ofWestern India Tiger Landscape: WWF India’sWestern India Tiger Landscape covers protectedareas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. WWF-India has been monitoring dispersing tigers fromRanthambore Tiger Reserve for the past 5 years inthe adjoining areas of Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary,Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary andMukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan andKuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradeshwith the aid of Community Rresource Persons(CRP) belonging to villages located in key wildlifecorridors. Five CRPs are working in Khandar andKeladevi which cover the northern and easternboundaries of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve whiletwo are based in Virpur, Madhya Pradesh nearKunoPalpur Wildlife Sanctuary towards the southernboundary. They work round the clock to monitortiger movements in key corridors in the landscapeby detecting the presence of tiger movement in thelandscape using strategically placed camera traps,and by identifying signs, cattle kills and otherindirect evidence including tracks and scats. Thisinitiative also has also aided in strengtheningcoordination to monitor and manage straying tigersacross the state border.

3. Securing tiger conservation work throughcommunity engagement and bilateral

cooperation in Manas: The Trans-boundary ManasConservation Area (TraMCA) conceptualized in2011 forms an important trans-boundary landscapethat connects Bhutan with the Indian state ofAssam.To conserve this rich landscape in the faceof growing threats and pressure from developmentand illegal activities, WWF- India and WWF-Bhutanbrought key stakeholders together to develop thejoint TraMCA Action Plan with the objective ofhalting all wildlife habitat loss and degradation,stabilize wild populations of priority species,develop effective management systems to reducenegative human-wildlife interactions, and facilitatelocal and state governments buy-in to the TraMCAvision. To achieve some of these objectives, WWF-India has been addressing negative human-wildlifeinteractions along the fringe villages of Manas andfacilitating mechanisms to convert politicalwillingness into actions. WWF-India also engageswith local stakeholders by strengtheningsustainable community based livelihoodinterventions including tourism, agriculture,horticulture, efficient energy solutions and human-wildlife conflict management. Some of theinterventions in the fringe villages include-involvement of local resort/hotel owners, localconservation group and communities to developmechanism for economic incentives by selling their produce, training of women in food andhospitality, promotion of village trails and installation of bio-fences using bamboo(Bambusabambos) and Assam lemon (Citruslimon) as a cost-effective and viable option toprevent crop-raiding by herbivores. — Courtesy: WWF IndiaPhoto credits: WWF India

39GTFNEWS

40 GTFNEWS

Tiger BonesTiger Canines, Tiger Bones, Tiger SkinsTiger Claws, Tiger Canines

Tiger Bones, Tiger Skins

UttarakhandAssamAssamMadhyaPradeshMadhyaPradeshAssam

NANANANA

NA

NA

Outside Tiger Reserve: Udham Singh NagarOutside Tiger Reserve: Dhekiajuli, OrangOutside Tiger Reserve: Biswanath CharialiInside Tiger Reserve: Kanha

Outside Tiger Reserve: Ranikamath, SouthChhindwaraInside Tiger Reserve: Panbari, Manas

31 Dec 201719 Nov 201716 Nov 20174 Oct 2017

22 Jul 2017

14 Jul 2017

1234

5

6

S.NO. DATE LOCATION STATE SEX AGE REMARKSTIGER, SEIZURE — JULY TO DECEMBER 2017

Snares & Traps

Electrocution

Electrocution

Natural

NaturalNatural

MaharashtraMadhya PradeshAssamAssamKarnatakaMadhya PradeshAndhra PradeshMadhya PradeshMadhya PradeshMadhya PradeshUttarakhandUttarakhandAssamMadhya PradeshAssamTamil NaduUttarakhandMaharashtraMaharashtraMaharashtraAssamMaharashtraMadhya PradeshUttar PradeshMadhya PradeshMaharashtraMadhya PradeshMadhya PradeshMadhya PradeshMadhya PradeshRajasthanUttar PradeshUttarakhandMaharashtraUttar Pradesh

AssamMaharashtraUttar PradeshMaharashtraMaharashtra

3-5<1NANA

7-10NA<1NANANA>10NANANANA2-35-73-53-51-22-3NA2-3

7-10NA2-3NA<11-2NA

7-10NANANA2-3

3-52-3>10<1<1

Male

FemaleFemaleFemale

FemaleFemale

MaleFemaleFemale

FemaleFemale

MaleFemale

MaleFemale

MaleMale

Female

MaleMale

Female

Female

Male

Female

Outside Tiger Reserve: Nagpur, BorInside Tiger Reserve: KanhaInside Tiger Reserve: OrangInside Tiger Reserve: OrangInside Tiger Reserve: Moolehole, BandipurInside Tiger Reserve: Gehrighat, PannaOutside Tiger Reserve: Velgode Range, AtmakurOutside Tiger Reserve: ShahdolOutside Tiger Reserve: ShahdolOutside Tiger Reserve: Barwah Ghunghuti, UmariaOutside Tiger Reserve: Compt no 4 Khatima Range Terai WestInside Tiger Reserve: Bijrani, CorbettInside Tiger Reserve: Noloni camp, Agaratoli, KazirangaOutside Tiger Reserve: South Shahdol DivisionInside Tiger Reserve: Upper Dikoroi, Nameri WL, NameriInside Tiger Reserve: Theppakadu, MudumalaiInside Tiger Reserve: Dhela, CorbettOutside Tiger Reserve: Compt 454, Pusada beat, Paoni Range, NagpurOutside Tiger Reserve: Compt 454, Pusada beat, Paoni Range, NagpurInside Tiger Reserve: Mul, TadobaAndhari, 355Inside Tiger Reserve: Bhaisamari, Bagori, KazirangaOutside Tiger Reserve: Gadchiroli, Chaprala WLSOutside Tiger Reserve: Near Compt no. 438, Katni, KatniInside Tiger Reserve: Compt 18, AmangarhInside Tiger Reserve: Mahawan village, Tala, BandhavgarhOutside Tiger Reserve: Wardha, BorInside Tiger Reserve: Karmajhiri, PenchInside Tiger Reserve: Dhamokar, BandhavgarhInside Tiger Reserve: Satosha, PenchInside Tiger Reserve: Mili village relocated site, BandhavgarhInside Tiger Reserve: Khandar, RanthambhoreInside Tiger Reserve: Kakraha Katerniaghat, DudhwaInside Tiger Reserve: Dhela buffer, CorbettOutside Tiger Reserve: Junona FDCM Range, ChandrapurInside Tiger Reserve: Katerniaghat Range, Katerniaghat WL Division,DudhwaInside Tiger Reserve: Daflang Camp, Bagori, KazirangaInside Tiger Reserve: North Mangeri, Ambabarwa, Akot, Melghat, 351Outside Tiger Reserve: Hardoi Branch Canal, PilibhitInside Tiger Reserve: Buffer Area, TadobaAndhariInside Tiger Reserve: Buffer Area, TadobaAndhari

29 Dec 201727 Dec 201726 Dec 201726 Dec 201725 Dec 201720 Dec 201716 Dec 201712 Dec 201711 Dec 20173 Dec 20172 Dec 201730 Nov 201726 Nov 201725 Nov 201725 Nov 201719 Nov 201718 Nov 201717 Nov 201717 Nov 201715 Nov 20177 Nov 20173 Nov 20173 Nov 201726 Oct 201718 Oct 201714 Oct 201713 Oct 201729 Sep 201725 Sep 201724 Sep 201720 Sep 201730 Aug 201730 Aug 201726 Aug 201719 Aug 2017

18 Aug 201716 Jul 201712 Jul 20173 Jul 20173 Jul 2017

123456789

1011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435

3637383940

S.NO. DATE LOCATION STATE SEX AGE REMARKS

TIGER, MORTALITY IN INDIA — JULY TO DECEMBER 2017

SOURCE: tigernet.nic.in

41GTFNEWS

CCUURRRREENNTT MMEEMMBBEERRSS OOFF TTHHEE GGLLOOBBAALL TTIIGGEERR FFOORRUUMMCategory A: Tiger Range Countries1. India 2. Bangladesh 3. Cambodia 4. Nepal 5. Bhutan6. Myanmar 7. Vietnam

Category B: Non Tiger Range Countries1. United Kingdom

Category C: International Non GovernmentOrganisation1. International Fund for Animal Welfare2. TRAFFIC International3. WWF International

Category D: Honorary Individuals1. Mr Keshav Varma 2. Mr Anand Seth 3. Dr Andrey V. Kushlin 4. Dr Tapan Kumar Dey5. Dr Sivanathan T. Elgupillay 6. Dr Yury Darman

Category E: National Non Government Organisation1. Ranthambhore Foundation, India2. Tiger Research and Conservation Trust — India3. Wildlife Protection Society of India4. Wildlife Trust of India5. Corbett Foundation, India6. National Trust for Nature Conservation — Nepal7. Wildlife Conservation Nepal, Nepal8. Centre for Wildlife Studies, India9. Wildlife Conservation Society — India Programme10. Wildlife Conservation Trust11. Bagh Foundation

Category F: Associate Members1. The US Fish and Wildlife Service

Special invitee status 1. IUCN

THE GLOBAL TIGER FORUM SECRETARIAT STAFFSECRETARY GENERAL: Dr RAJESH GOPAL

ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL: Dr S.P. YADAV

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: Mr G.C. LAM

SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGER: Mr MOHNISH KAPOOR

TECHNICAL OFFICER: Mr TENZIN WANGCHUK

WILDIFE BIOLOGIST: Ms RIDHIMA SOLANKI

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: Mr ROSHAN D. PURANIK

FIELD COORDINATOR: Mr ARUN KUMAR

MEDIA ADVISOR: Ms ANEETA MALHOTRA (TYKEE)

LIAISON OFFICER, MALAYSIA: Mr MIKE BLATZER

LIAISON OFFICER, WASHINGTON D.C.: Dr BARNEY LONG

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GLOBAL TIGER FORUM IS ANINTER-GOVERNMENTAL INTERNATIONAL BODY

FOR THE CONSERVATION OF TIGERS IN THE WILD