(TH) tiger habitat

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Friday July 21, 2006-The Star

 

Tiger habitat decreased 40% worldwide in past decade

 

BANGKOK (AP) - Tiger habitats worldwide have shrunk 40 percent in the past

decade and their survival depends on cracking down on poaching, working to

reduce conflicts with humans, and protecting key ranges, according to a

study.

 

The worldwide tiger population has steadily declined to about 7,500

globally, and the big cats continue to face a myriad of threats - including

the trade in tiger parts to meet demand for traditional medicines in China

and Southeast Asia.

 

Tigers now reside in only 7 percent of their historic range - 40 percent

less than a decade ago, the World Wildlife Fund said.

 

The study by a coalition of conservation groups on Thursday identified for

the first time 76 areas, mostly in Asia, that have the best chance of

supporting tiger populations.

 

" Many important areas have been overlooked for funding, largely because

there has been no method to systematically identify areas of high

conservation potential,'' the study said.

 

About half of the 76 areas can support 100 tigers and " offer excellent

opportunities for the recovery of wild tiger populations.''

 

Researchers are focusing on a few key regions in India, Russia's far east

and parts of Southeast Asia.

 

Tiger breeding areas must be protected and efforts to link different tiger

habitats need to be improved, the study said.

 

" We have learned many important lessons over the last 10 years, and this

study provides a blueprint for scientists and the countries that hold the

key for the tigers' survival,'' said Mahendra Shrestha, director of National

Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Save The Tiger Fund, which commissioned the

study.

 

Conservation efforts so far have helped stabilize certain tiger populations,

but many initiatives were " ad hoc'' and " did little to stem the crisis,''

the study found.

 

John Robinson of the Wildlife Conservation Society said tiger conservation

requires commitment from local groups, governments, and international donors

to " bring the species back to all parts of its biological range.''