There could hardly be a more appropriate time to assess the tiger's past and present status. At the turn of the century, eight sub-species of tiger were found from the Caspian Sea to Bali. Experts across tiger range states have provided forecasts for the fate of the species' future by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger in 12 years. Specialists in Russia and Indonesia give some hope for both the Amur and Sumatran tiger, but the prognosis from India is gloomy - only 500 tigers in a handful of reserves. Indo-Chinese tiger populations will be declining rapidly and the South China tiger will become extinct.
Urgent action is needed now to ensure the tiger is saved.
WWF alone cannot save the tiger - but if the governments and people of range states have the will to conserve them, then WWF and its partners can help. Together, we aim to ensure that the Year of the Tiger becomes the Year for the Tiger.