Thailand’s attempts to conserve tigers are yielding impressive outcomes. Here’s how they increased the number of wild tigers by almost five times in 15 years:
Prey-Release Technique
Thailand’s DNP and WWF have been releasing captive-bred sambar deer into reserves since 2021, giving tigers vital prey. Releases take place in areas like Khlong Lan and Mae Wong national parks, with some deer fitted with GPS collars to monitor adaptation.
Recovering Populations
One of the few tiger recoveries in South-east Asia occurred in the Western Forest Complex, where tiger populations increased from about 40 in 2007 to 179–223 in 2023. Thailand is now a unique conservation success story because to the roughly 250 percent increase
Ecosystem Impact
Many released deer survive, reproduce, and support a healthier food chain, not just fueling tigers but restoring broader biodiversity. Together with anti-poaching patrols using SMART technology, these efforts have dramatically bolstered both deer and tiger numbers.
Long-Term Achievement
While neighbours Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam have lost their wild tigers, Thailand is the first nation in South-east Asia to reverse the decline of tigers via persistent conservation. Continuous monitoring has captured tiger cub sightings, confirming reproductive growth and ecosystem health.
Why it Matters
Illustrates a locally adapted, scalable model for wildlife recovery—combining prey restoration and law enforcement. Highlights the importance of whole-ecosystem thinking—protecting apex predators like tigers requires ensuring the survival of their prey. Offers hope and proof of possibility for conservation programs across Asia and beyond.
