Tigers — India & Southeast Asia

Tigers in India and Southeast Asia have played a pivotal ecological role, acting as keystone species that regulate prey populations and maintain the health of diverse ecosystems. The Bengal tiger, once found across India, has been an integral part of the region's history and mythology. However, the history of tigers in this region is marked by significant decline, particularly with the extinction of subspecies like the Bali tiger and the Javan tiger. In Southeast Asia, the Indochinese tiger, once distributed across countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, faced a decline due to deforestation and hunting. The Malayan tiger, native to the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, has seen its population decrease as its habitats are transformed for agriculture. The Sumatran tiger, residing on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, has faced the double threat of habitat loss and poaching, pushing it to the brink of extinction.

The history of protections for tigers in India and Southeast Asia reflects a growing awareness of the urgent need to conserve these magnificent creatures. In India, the Bengal tiger has been a focal point of conservation efforts since the establishment of Project Tiger in 1973, a pioneering initiative that sought to protect and conserve tiger habitats. The project's success led to the creation of dedicated tiger reserves and a significant increase in tiger populations. Other conservation strategies continue to evolve to address the complex history of threats against these tiger species.