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| Endangered tigers making a 'remarkable' comeback | Endangered tigers making a 'remarkable' comeback |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Millions watched them in captivity on the lockdown TV hit Tiger King. | Millions watched them in captivity on the lockdown TV hit Tiger King. |
| But in the wild, tiger populations have been in rapid decline for decades now. | But in the wild, tiger populations have been in rapid decline for decades now. |
| There is some positive news though, because after years of concern, the number of wild tigers in some areas does now seem to be rising. | There is some positive news though, because after years of concern, the number of wild tigers in some areas does now seem to be rising. |
| New figures by wildlife charity WWF suggest a resurgence in their numbers. Experts are even describing it as a "remarkable comeback". | New figures by wildlife charity WWF suggest a resurgence in their numbers. Experts are even describing it as a "remarkable comeback". |
| In 2010, there were as few as 3,200 wild tigers. But now five countries - India, China, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan - have given hope for the future. | In 2010, there were as few as 3,200 wild tigers. But now five countries - India, China, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan - have given hope for the future. |
| In India alone, the number of wild tigers is now estimated at between 2,600 and 3,350 animals - which makes up around three-quarters of the world's population. | In India alone, the number of wild tigers is now estimated at between 2,600 and 3,350 animals - which makes up around three-quarters of the world's population. |
| Neighbouring Nepal has seen its population of tigers is up from 121 in 2009 to 235 just under a decade later. | Neighbouring Nepal has seen its population of tigers is up from 121 in 2009 to 235 just under a decade later. |
| And it's the same story in Russia, Bhutan and China, where increased sightings of tigers suggest conservation efforts are working. | And it's the same story in Russia, Bhutan and China, where increased sightings of tigers suggest conservation efforts are working. |
| "Tigers can thrive happily given enough space, food or water. So the progress is a result of tigers and their habitat being better protected," Becci May tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. | |
| Becci is WWF's UK regional manager and says while this is good news, threats still exist to the tiger population. | Becci is WWF's UK regional manager and says while this is good news, threats still exist to the tiger population. |
| "The reason why numbers have plummeted over the last 100 years or so is because of changes to land use," she says. | "The reason why numbers have plummeted over the last 100 years or so is because of changes to land use," she says. |
| Loss of habitat, hunting and poaching remains a very real threat. | Loss of habitat, hunting and poaching remains a very real threat. |
| "Wildlife populations are also devastated because of snares being set to catch wildlife," she adds. | "Wildlife populations are also devastated because of snares being set to catch wildlife," she adds. |
| Recent analysis estimates there are 12.3 million snares threatening wildlife in protected areas of Southeast Asia. | Recent analysis estimates there are 12.3 million snares threatening wildlife in protected areas of Southeast Asia. |
| What can we do to protect tigers? | What can we do to protect tigers? |
| Becci says "a real team effort" is needed. | Becci says "a real team effort" is needed. |
| "We need to share our enthusiasm for tigers and tell our friends and family how important it is." | "We need to share our enthusiasm for tigers and tell our friends and family how important it is." |
| She says we can ensure the items we buy, such as wood and paper, don't come as a result of illegal logging, which harms tigers. | She says we can ensure the items we buy, such as wood and paper, don't come as a result of illegal logging, which harms tigers. |
| "If you look at the labels, you can see that if you get it from the right source, you may be helping to protect those forests, habitats and tigers." | "If you look at the labels, you can see that if you get it from the right source, you may be helping to protect those forests, habitats and tigers." |
| Other countries can learn from the likes of India and Nepal which have seen big increases. | Other countries can learn from the likes of India and Nepal which have seen big increases. |
| "Tiger conservation will not be successful without the support of governments and political will," says Becci. | "Tiger conservation will not be successful without the support of governments and political will," says Becci. |
| "We need the engagement and support of local communities who are actually living in the areas where the tigers live." | "We need the engagement and support of local communities who are actually living in the areas where the tigers live." |
| That means supporting communities and including them in the conservation efforts. | That means supporting communities and including them in the conservation efforts. |
| "And with a collective effort, we've shown that we can turn the tide for tigers," she adds. | "And with a collective effort, we've shown that we can turn the tide for tigers," she adds. |
| Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
| Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |