Author - Dr Matthew J Muir BVSc/BVetBiol (Hons) MRCVS
The main focus of Planet Decent is to empower for biodiversity
Sustainable Responsible Eco-tourism is undoubtedly one of the ways communities and consequently, ecosystems can be empowered.
Working estimates of numbers of Tigers left in the wild are at about 4000; but perhaps only 400 Siberian and Sumatran Tigers, the rest being mostly the Bengal (Indochine, Southern China Tiger are critically endangered). These tigers are living in fragmented areas. What is not known is how genetically diverse (inbred or otherwise) these populations are. This lack of scientific data means we cannot predict the potential of catastrophic population collapse. It is wiser we are uber conservative for Tiger's sake and assume we need more genetically diverse populations and work on habitat corridors to connect remaining populations to hedge our bets. For more information see the respected authorities; the IUCN Red List, WWF and Panthera.
In this last month I have been researching human-animal conflict particularly related to the Tiger, I have been focused on the Bengal Tiger surrounding Chitwan National Park in Nepal and the Sunderbans in India and Bangladesh, The Siberian Tiger in the Taiga, Siberia and the Sumatran Tiger in Southern Sumatra. My main research tool is youtube, with follow up searches of media outlets.
I have also been interested in the conflict associated with Leopard in suburban Mumbai and complexities of settlements within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (surrounded on 3 sides by Mumbai).
It is very important to understand human-wildlife conflict in order to give these species a chance. We must respect the people that share their homes with dangerous wild animals.
While trekking in Champasak province of Southern Laos 6 years ago, my travel buddy Gemma, and I, were asking our guide about Tiger in the area. He was very happy to report that Tiger had vanished and that it was less stressful for locals now. We talked openly and he revealed how killing a tiger may be able to provide food for 10 children for a year (I now understand that this is probably a myth, what poachers receive on the ground for their work is peanuts compared with the middlemen and organised criminal networks at the top). He didn't want tigers back, but he had a tourism job already...
When looking at the reasons where conflict occurs; we often see poverty. Economic development is often far from equitable in Tiger habitat.
When investigating man-eating as a major conflict and concern, we look to the dynamics of what has occurred. From what I can gather (and I welcome comments to clarify, particularly research papers) it often looks something like this;
communities who have traditionally lived off the land + habitat destruction + lack of micro-enterprise + encroachment of remaining wildness areas + logging/grass harvesting/bush meat harvesting (wild prey for big carnivores) + lower yields + increasing human desperation + increasing human risk-taking behaviour + less wild prey for big carnivores + increasing wildlife desperation + increasing wildlife risk-taking behaviour = human-wildlife conflict.
This can be seen surrounding Chitwan National Park, Nepal and in the Sunderbans, Bangladesh.
A great introduction to this pattern can be seen here (Nepal) where a Tigress was driven to attacking humans when her cubs were subadults requiring huge amounts of meat and here (Sunderbans)
This issue is not limited to Tigers. Only 1 in 20 lions die a natural death in Africa, the other 19 are killed usually because of human-livestock-lion conflicts. Often Lions are driven to killing livestock or even humans when there natural prey is depleting.
For generations wildlife and humans have been able to co-exist with relative harmony (of course it has not been perfect; many people have been killed by wildlife over the last few centuries (estimates are in the 100000's in India for death from tigers in the last 150 years), but when ecosystems are healthy, predators learn that the path of least resistance is to avoid humans and their livestock and focus on natural prey, where it exists!
The purpose of sharing this information is to start to realise the impact between unsustainable development, inequality, and poverty has on wildlife conservation, particularly big cats (Apex predators).
As indicator species, a focus on apex predators conservation will generally reflect a healthy eco-system and by default conserves other biodiversity (the insects, the trees, the deer, the earthworms).
Wondering what the solution can be? I propose it be Eco-tourism.
After spending over a year between Asia and Africa exploring eco-tourism and volunteering, I have found that wildlife tourism infrastructure to see a Lion in the wild is much more advanced than that of the tiger, I propose this must change, communities must be given the opportunity to make a living through engagement with eco-tourists.
Asia has such advanced tourism infrastructure, but it seems, Seeing a tiger in the wild, is not on people's bucket lists. I propose this needs to change. Tiger are elusive, and rightly so, they are being hunted to extinction for their use in traditional medicines (highly likely to be placebo effect because they are seen as powerful animals, no therapeutic benefit ever been validated using modern science, but also for their skins and heads as trophies). Elusiveness may pose a problem to seeing them in the wild, however in National Parks in India, Tiger are now seen very frequently.
It will not be until ecotourists start visiting tiger conversation areas with volume, and with an acceptance that while they may not see a tiger this time, (but the knowledge they are contributing to attempts to save the species), that the positive effects of ecotourism will filter through communities enough for them to see the value of conservation for themselves. It will be then that desperate poachers could undergo redemption and transform into wildlife warriors, consultants, guides, and people will have access to sustainable jobs.
For now, I encourage you to put seeing a tiger in the wild on your bucket list and encourage you to build some level of eco-tourism or wildlife volunteering into your travel itineraries. Do your research and take care with choosing responsible travel organisations (see here for guidelines and inspiration). Definitely share your genuine eco-tourism experiences on social media to inspire others, especially if you have influence!
Here are some areas to consider for your Tiger Safari.
Planet Decent is continuing to research, brainstorm, network and collaborate so we can contribute to large scale eco-tourism and conservation projects globally. Please hit take action to get involved.
Three articles of interest surrounding this topic and conservation in a broader sense are:
Human-Wildlife Conflict as Abnormal Behaviour (National Geographic)
We can stop the poaching of big cats! Heres How (NY Times)
Biodiversity 101: Are Earths Megafauna Doomed? (Agence French Presse)
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Dr Matthew J Muir is a Veterinarian and Biologist. He is working towards a Masters in Conservation Medicine and works as a holistic vet with a one-health focus.