THROUGH OUR EYES: TIGERS, COMMUNITIES AND THE FUTURE WE SHARE

Tigers have long been a symbol of WWF’s commitment to wildlife conservation. Since the launch of the Tigers Alive Initiative in 2009, the global WWF Network has remained unwavering in its mission. With 5,771 (Global Tiger Forum, 2025) wild tigers roaming across Asia in 2025, we celebrate hard-won progress. However, we remain vigilant. Tigers are conservation-dependent, facing persistent threats from poaching, habitat loss, prey depletion and human conflict.

WWF’s global tiger conservation efforts over the last 12 months have continued to champion ecological integrity, inclusive conservation and community empowerment. Across Asia’s tiger range countries, WWF-Australia supported initiatives driven by the WWF offices in tiger range countries that protect tigers while fostering coexistence with the communities who share their landscapes.

Some of the impact from the past 12 months includes:

• India: Over 120km² of community-owned forest in Karbi Anglong was proposed as a Community Conservation Area, with further expansion planned. WWF-Australia supported training for 360 forest staff and worked on infrastructure upgrades for 10 forest camps.
• Nepal: Human-tiger conflict mitigation efforts in the Khata Corridor led to zero human casualties in 2024. Livestock losses dropped significantly, and 673 people participated in awareness workshops.
• Malaysia: Anti-poaching patrol teams in the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex exceeded targets for area covered, with camera surveys completing over 60,000 trap nights and contributing to Malaysia’s upcoming tiger census.
• Thailand: Two new protected areas and 12 community forest sites were identified for tiger conservation.
• Indonesia: Community consultations with villages in Sumatra helped build the Conflict to Coexistence Approach for people living with tigers.

These regional highlights reflect WWF’s strategic commitment to tiger conservation across Asia. Yet, beyond the numbers and protected areas, it is the lived experiences of communities, those who share their landscapes with tigers, that truly illuminate the path forward.

A Community’s Perspective from Sumatra

In the forested village of Lubuk Gadang Utara, western Sumatra, the tiger—known locally as Inyiak—is more than a species. It is a neighbour, a guardian, and a cultural symbol. WWF-Indonesia, through a participatory photography project facilitated by Indigenous Bataknese photographer Nayla and supported by Fendy and WWF-Australia, invited community members to document their relationship with Inyiak.

The result is a stunning visual narrative: Elders recounting decades of coexistence, farmers sharing stories of encounters in the forest, and youth capturing the tiger’s presence in their daily lives. One elder, Muhammad Rasyid, reflected:

“I have lost count of how many times I've heard the roar of our Inyiak. Seeing him is not rare. We live side by side. As long as we hold compassion, Inyiak will protect us. But if we bring damage, he will punish us.”

This initiative amplified community voices in conservation by exploring the cultural connections between people and tigers. It built trust and dialogue through storytelling and visual media, empowering locals to lead conservation efforts. The insights from the community helped inform strategies that were culturally sensitive and effective, while fostering tolerance and reducing human-wildlife conflict.