Protecting Tigers

Tigers in India

DSWF continues to protect tigers in India by supporting our long-standing ground-based conservation partner Aaranyak based in Assam. In the last year we have focused on improving law enforcement in the region, enhancing patrols through K9 units and continuing vital education work.

Law Enforcement

Poaching remains a challenge in the Assam region as tigers and rhinos continue to be being targeted as well as many other smaller species. 21 poachers were arrested in the last six months, 14 weapons were seized from various parts of Assam from wildlife poachers by law enforcement agencies and three prosecutions were made. Sadly, increasingly professionalised poaching outfits continue to operate in the region. Improvements to law enforcement are having an impact. Aaranyak’s work has had a hugely positive impact on law enforcement efforts. A number of workshops were held to improve conservation awareness and to provide education on legal protections for threatened wildlife. 150 officials attended workshops in this period. These workshops have allowed Aaranyak to enhance and maintain their already strong existing relationships with judicial officers, police, forest agencies and other paramilitary and border police agencies. The increased coordination and strengthening of relationships have been crucial in the fight against poaching.

K9 Units

Also crucial to tiger protection efforts are K9 sniffer dogs, supported by DSWF. Along with their handlers, the dogs have covered around 1,275km in the last year, providing support to rhino and tiger protection patrols within the protected areas. Jubi –a female dog has provided remarkable service in Kaziranga since 2011 and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Tragically, Babli the second female K9, died in June. She sustained an injury while on patrol and was unable to recover. Babli and her handler Goura have been providing vital support in Orang National Park for the past four years and she will be sadly missed. DSWF are presently funding the training of two new K9’s to replace Babli and Jorba and continue their vital conservation efforts.

Education

Aaranyak successfully delivered 40 ‘Rhino and Tiger Goes to school’ days in the region, with 1,500 students reached in total. The extremely popular programme teaches children about local flora and fauna and about human-wildlife co-existence. It aims to instil in children a sense of pride in the biodiversity of the area which they live and encourage an increased affinity with rhinos and tigers. The evaluation of the days has shown they have been successful in giving children an awareness of rhino and tiger behaviour, habitat and protection and wider conservation issues, all in a fun and engaging way. They have also been successful in encouraging the publics reporting of wild animals outside of protected areas, assisting rescue efforts.

Several other educational activities have been organized in the last year. A nature orientation camp was held for students in Orang National Park in conjunction with national park authorities. The camp aimed at giving children an appreciation of nature and a positive perception of wildlife as well as encouraging environmentally friendly practices such as the reduction of waste. The Assam Government intends to add an additional 200 square kilometres of area to the park, more than tripling its area from the current 78.8 square kilometers.This would provide an incredible opportunity for more rhino and tiger protection. For this to happen, the support of the local community is essential and events like this are crucial in getting the support of local villages.

Without your support this vital work would not be possible. DSWF relies entirely on donations and support from generous individuals like you to continue to fight wildlife crime, protect species and engage individuals and communities to ensure a brighter future for wildlife. So thank you again for helping to give tigers a chance of survival. 

Find out more about our work with Tigers