Protecting Tigers

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers
Protecting Tigers

Project Report | Dec 17, 2025
Protecting Tigers - December Update

By Camilla Capel | Fundraising and Events Executive

Thailand and India

As the year draws to a close, we are delighted to share a fuller picture of our tiger conservation work across two critical landscapes: the Dong Phayayen Khao Yai Forest Complex in Thailand and the rhino and tiger bearing landscapes of Assam in India. Your generosity continues to safeguard tigers on two fronts: protecting their forest homes and strengthening frontline defences against wildlife crime.

Thank you for being part of this global effort to secure a future where tigers can thrive once again.

THAILAND: Dong Phayayen Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKY)

Progress and Achievements

Your support has allowed us to maintain strong momentum across tiger and pangolin conservation activities. Despite a difficult year marked by funding challenges and border restrictions, much has been achieved:

• 1,000 snares removed across the landscape
• Prey populations improving, with gaur numbers rising and wild boar stabilising
• Human tiger conflict decreasing, reflecting stronger engagement and better community support
• Continued presence and success of the King of Tiger anti-poaching unit, who remain a vital part of our project partner’s frontline protection network

These improvements are powerful indicators of ecosystem health and long-term tiger recovery.

Strengthening Protection

Across Ta Phraya, Pang Sida and Dong Yai National Parks:

• 157 rangers and officials trained across 31 days of formal courses
• Regular on the job training delivered to around 24 rangers each month
• Training covered SMART monitoring, GSM cameras, wildlife survey skills, enforcement techniques and patrol mentoring

Patrol effectiveness has improved and the upward trend in violation detection reflects growing ranger skill and confidence. Snaring remains a persistent threat, but the significant number removed this year shows how well targeted patrols are making a difference.

Monitoring Tigers and Prey

• 18 wildlife survey visits carried out
• Monthly tiger reports compiled
• Rangers trained to deploy cameras, manage data and identify individual tigers
• Ongoing analysis of prey availability, threat patterns and detection rates

These efforts give us a clearer understanding of tiger movements, habitat use and the conservation needs of the wider landscape.

Community Engagement

Education and awareness remain at the heart of long-term success:

• 16 schools visited, reaching 949 students
• 203 adults engaged across five high risk poaching communities

These sessions help reinforce why tigers matter not only to biodiversity but to local pride, cultural identity and the future of forest dependent communities.

INDIA: Tiger Outreach, Protection and K9 Support in Assam

Alongside the work in Thailand, your support has also enabled significant progress in Assam, a region where rhinos and tigers live side by side and face intense threats from poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Between April and September 2025, the programme delivered a broad set of achievements designed to strengthen protection and raise awareness.

Targets and Achievements

Strengthening awareness and reducing demand

• 40 Rhino and Tiger Goes to School activities delivered across Assam
• Thousands of students engaged in wildlife protection, habitat awareness and the importance of safeguarding tigers as apex predators
• One Nature Orientation Camp held in Kaziranga National Park, bringing 35 students into the field to learn directly from rangers, scientists and local conservationists

These activities help shape a generation that values wildlife and understands the threats facing India’s most iconic species.

Law enforcement and judicial engagement

• Two district level workshops held for police and security agencies
• One workshop delivered for judicial officials

These sessions help strengthen the entire prosecution chain, reinforcing the message that tiger and rhino crime is serious, organised and linked to wider criminal networks.

K9 anti-poaching units

Your support keeps three K9 units active 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Assam’s rhino and tiger bearing landscapes:

• K9 Veera stationed at Orang National Park
• K9 Harley stationed at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
• K9 Nova stationed at Burapahar Forest Range, Kaziranga National Park

These dogs and their handlers play an essential role in detecting contraband, tracking suspects and preventing wildlife crime before it occurs.

Crime prevention and rapid response

• Continuous information networks operate 24 hours a day, providing intelligence to police and forest officers
• A Wildlife Crime Prevention Workshop was delivered to strengthen multi agency cooperation
• Regular K9 review meetings ensure the dogs and handlers remain fit, supported and motivated

The wellbeing of field teams remains a top priority and their enthusiasm and resilience are a testament to the positive environment your support helps to create.

Looking Ahead

Across both Thailand and India, your support is helping to drive forward a united vision: strong protected areas, empowered rangers, engaged communities and landscapes where tigers can flourish.

In the coming months we aim to:

• Continue monitoring tigers, pangolins and prey species
• Strengthen SMART adoption and data standardisation
• Expand mentored patrols
• Increase community outreach in both countries
• Maintain round the clock K9 deployment
• Support ranger training, equipment needs and essential field vehicles

There is still a great deal to do but we are moving in the right direction, and that is because of you.

Your generosity is protecting tigers across two of the most important landscapes in Asia. From patrol lines deep in Thai forests to classrooms in Assam, your support is changing lives and securing a future for wildlife.

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Organization Information

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Location: Guildford, Surrey - United Kingdom
Website:
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Project Leader:
Lawrence Avery
Guildford , Surrey United Kingdom

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