Tiger Conservation: Trust Tradition

IN THEIR LETTER “RESTORING TIGERS TO THE Caspian region” (12 August, p. [822][1]), C. A. Driscoll et al . propose the reintroduction of tigers into the historic range of the extinct Caspian tiger. Driscoll et al . assert that new approaches such as this one are needed because “traditional conservation approaches are proving insuffi cient.” We disagree. Tiger biologists and conservationists have shown how to save tigers. So-called traditional approaches—including law enforcement, scientifi c assessments, monitoring of tiger and prey populations, and community outreach—are demonstrably effective in reversing tiger declines when properly implemented by conservation nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and government agencies ( 1–6 ). New approaches should always be considered in our efforts to save the tiger, but the focus must be on addressing the most critical threats to those remaining tigers that survive in little more than four dozen source populations throughout their range ( 7 ). The immediate solution lies in convincing NGOs, conservationists, donor agencies, and government authorities to properly implement the proven best practices of tiger conservation: the traditional approaches. If we are considering reconstructive surgery for the tiger, then let's stop the bleeding first. 1. 1. K. U. Karanth 2. et al ., Ecology 87, 11 (2006). [OpenUrl][2] 2. 1. E. N. Smirnov, 2. D. G. Miquelle , J. Wildlife Res 1, 3 (1999). [OpenUrl][3] 3. 1. S. Simcharoen 2. et al ., Oryx 41, 4 (2007). [OpenUrl][4] 4. 1. E. Dinerstein 2. et al ., BioScience 57, 6 (2007). [OpenUrl][5][CrossRef][6][Web of Science][7] 5. 1. A. C. D. Barlow , Biol. Conserv 141, 8 (2008). [OpenUrl][8] 6. 1. D. W. MacDonald, 2. A. J. Loveridge 1. J. Seidensticker 2. et al ., D. W. MacDonald, A. J. Loveridge in Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids 2010 aaaa, 305 325 (Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford). 7. 1. J. Walson 2. et al ., PLoS Biol 8, 9 (2010). [OpenUrl][9] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.333.6044.822-b [2]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DEcology%26rft.volume%253D87%26rft.spage%253D11%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [3]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ.%2BWildlife%2BRes%26rft.volume%253D1%26rft.spage%253D3%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DOryx%26rft.volume%253D41%26rft.spage%253D4%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBioScience%26rft.volume%253D57%26rft.spage%253D6%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1641%252FB570102%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1641/B570102&link_type=DOI [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000243614100002&link_type=ISI [8]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBiol.%2BConserv%26rft.volume%253D141%26rft.spage%253D8%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [9]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPLoS%2BBiol%26rft.volume%253D8%26rft.spage%253D9%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx