Travel

Travel

Travel With WWF

Visit our travel section and choose from many amazing trips! Learn more

Support WWF

WWF will receive a $100 contribution from Bank of America for each new qualifying WWF Visa Signature® credit card from Bank of America. *

* See application for details.

Press Release

Endangered Tiger Moved to Reserve in India in First-Ever Attempt at Relocation
For Release: Jul 03, 2008
Erika Viltz
erika.viltz@wwfus.org
202-778-9542

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 – In a groundbreaking effort to preserve the species, an endangered Bengal tiger was relocated to the Sariska tiger reserve in India on June 28th—an area where the entire tiger population was wiped out a few years ago.

The young male tiger was airlifted by helicopter from the Ranthambore tiger reserve by the Government of Rajasthan and the Government of India with the help of WWF. The tiger is in good health and appears to be adapting to his new surroundings. He was outfitted with a tracking collar provided by WWF to allow reserve staff to monitor his whereabouts and ensure his safety after release. The tiger is currently in an enclosure while scientists closely observe his movements and behavior. When scientists are confident of his progress, the tiger will be released into the open reserve. Additional tigers are expected to be introduced in the near future, the next being a female tiger also from Ranthambore, which could be transported as soon as next week.

“Tiger numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate and it is imperative we take action now to keep them from disappearing altogether,” said Sybille Klenzendorf, director of WWF’s Species Conservation Program. “The killing off of the entire population in Sariska was devastating, but we hope the reintroduction of the species in this reserve will spawn a new population and ultimately expand the region where tigers can grow and flourish.”

There may be as few as 1,400 wild tigers remaining in India and fewer than 4,000 wild tigers left in the world. Populations are fast declining due to poaching—killing for their skins and parts—and habitat loss. This relocation is the first of its kind in India and a testimony to the government’s intent to preserve the iconic species.

Editors Note:

  • The tiger relocation was undertaken by the Forest Department, the Government of Rajasthan, the Wildlife Institute of India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Environment & Forests, the Ministry of Defense, the Government of India, the Indian Air Force and WWF.
  • Photos of the relocation are available by request.

Read more about our work to save tigers

 

Other WWF Sites
   Please leave this field empty

Click the globe to explore WWF's work

WWF's Vision


President and CEO Carter Roberts sets the vision for WWF, to save a planet, a world of life.

Read more about Carter and his vision for WWF.

An organization based on trust


Former Chairman of the Board Bruce Babbitt holds WWF accountable for best practices in governance, accountability and transparency at all levels of the organization.

Read more about WWF and governance.

How Our Funds Support Conservation

82 percent of WWF's spending is directed to worldwide conservation activities

Read more

Deep History in Conservation

Since 1961, WWF has been achieving results in conservation around the globe

Read WWF's history

Experts in Conservation


As director of TRAFFIC North America, a regional office of the world's largest international wildlife trade monitoring program, Crawford Allan works to combat the illegal trade in wildlife and minimize negative impacts from legal trade.

Meet WWF's experts

Take Action

Take action through WWF's Conservation Action Network, where you can speak out for wildlife and wild places around the globe.

Read more

WWF