Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The images are shocking. The figures are stark. It is almost incomprehensible that the tiger, mystical creature of our childhood stories and poems, is in such grave danger. But it is true. Unless concerted action is taken, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature the ‘tiger faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future’. But at Born Free we always focus on positive action. We don’t just sit back and despair.

We won’t let the burning light die in the tiger’s eye. By working together we can save the tiger. And this isn’t just a pipe dream. We’ve already started. In the teak and bamboo forests of India’s Satpuda hills…

The Satpudas offer the best hope for India’s tigers. They are the largest contiguous expanse of tiger habitat in India, spread over 6,500km2. They include five tiger reserves and 13 protected areas, mostly connected by forest ‘corridors’. If the tiger is to have a future in India, it is here that co-ordinated action must be taken.

Moharli isn’t the only tiger needing protection from poachers. Let us tell you about Machali (Hindi for ‘fish’), an older tigress living near two large lakes in Ranthambhore. Born in 1997, she has had an amazing four litters of cubs, a total of 10 youngsters. Sadly ‘Broken Tail’, her first male cub, was killed by a train, but the others have mostly flourished and many now have offspring of their own.

Machali has dominated her home range around Rajbagh Lake where she learnt to attack and kill crocodiles – a skill she passed onto her offspring. Unfortunately her battles with crocodiles took their toll and she lost three of her canines. But this hasn’t stopped her and she recently successfully raised her fourth litter, with three female cubs. Even with one remaining canine, Machali brought down and killed a large Sambar deer, and fought off a large male tiger, at least a third bigger than her.

Today Machali is no longer at her peak. She has just lost the last of her canines and been deposed from her prime territory by one of her own daughters. It may sound tough, but this is normal behaviour for a wild tiger. But such twists and turns of fate can only occur as nature intended if we can keep tigers safe from poaching, conflict and deforestation.

Our ‘Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme’ unites local conservationists and wildlife organisations. We coordinate the tiger protection actions of these groups, and help develop good communication between government officers and communities in the region. With our help, everyone can work together to save the tiger and help rural people. Together we have come up with some creative solutions to strengthen conservation efforts and reduce conflict.

Local people live with the threat of their goats and cattle - and even their own families - being attacked by tigers. So they need fair reimbursement for livestock killed by tigers. Wardens protecting tigers need training and motivational rewards. A mobile health unit can take doctors and medical aid to villages. An education unit can raise awareness about conservation. Locals must be encouraged to report poaching, and legal support needs to be given to successfully prosecute wildlife enforcement cases.

All this takes money.

“We can save the tiger. We just need the funds. Education, outreach and enforcement of policies that consider people’s needs, make coexistence of tigers and humans possible. With your help, Born Free can help local conservationists address conflict and deliver benefits to the local community.”

Claudio Sillero, Born Free’s Head of Conservation