World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report revealed that the number of wild tigers has increased from 3,200 in 2012 to an estimated 3,890 now.

The increase is attributed to recent conservation efforts, particularly in Russia and India, which have seen greater population growth in recent years. According to Scientific American where the report was published, this is the first increase in population in a century. WWF said that the increased number is particularly seen in India, Russia, Nepal, and Bhutan besides improved surveys and enhanced protection of the species.

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WWF said that the increase is due to heightened conservation efforts, more land area surveyed, and improved survey techniques.

“This is a pivotal step in the recovery of one of the world's most endangered and iconic species. Together with governments, local communities, philanthropists, and other NGOs, we've begun to reverse the trend in the century-long decline of tigers. But much more work and investment is needed if we are to reach our goal of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at WWF.

There are 13 countries included in the surveys that make up the tiger’s historical range. These nations are located across Asia from India to eastern Russia, and south to Malaysia and Indonesia. Experts combined the new numbers with the best tiger population estimates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature to come up with the exact number of 3,890 tigers in 2015 and compared it to the 2010’s 3,200 number.

Compared to 100 years ago, there are only 97 percent fewer tigers today. WWF blames poaching, deforestation, urban development, and overall habitat loss on the verge of extinction of wild tigers. With no strong conservation efforts and a lack of leadership, the situation will be worst in the near future.

TagsWild tiger, World Wildlife Fund, WWF, Tiger extinction