Foreword

Stuart Chapman | Lead, WWF Tigers Alive Initiative

The challenges of conserving and recovering tiger populations remain significant, but so do the opportunities for transformative change to deliver benefits for tigers, nature, and people. In 2025 and beyond, WWF Tigers Alive focus on turning commitments into action. 

A major priority is developing and implementing the sustainable finance solutions that were initiated in partnership with the Tiger Conservation Coalition and governments across Asia. Building on the momentum of 2024, we have started to operationalise financial mechanisms that will unlock long-term funding streams for tiger landscapes. These mechanisms are critical to securing the future of tigers and the ecosystems they anchor, while also supporting climate resilience and community well-being. 

Equally important is strengthening rights-based partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and local communities as rights-holders and co-stewards of tiger landscapes. Coexistence remains at the heart of our vision for tiger conservation. We continue to expand and develop approaches that are co-designed and governed with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, respect cultural values and customary institutions, and address locally defined priorities. From human wildlife conflict management to livelihood and governance and benefit sharing mechanisms, these collaborations will deliver shared decision making, mutual accountability, and equitable outcomes – ensuring conservation is inclusive, just and sustainable. 

The Tiger Conservation Coalition continues to be a game-changing alliance, amplifying our collective impact. Together, we are tackling issues no single organisation can solve such as mobilising significant financial resources, influencing policy, and scaling conservation solutions across tiger range countries. This spirit of collaboration will guide our next steps as we work toward ambitious goals, including securing US$1 billion in additional funding for tigers and tiger landscapes, Asia’s most vital ecosystems. 

Innovation will remain central to our approach, with new mechanisms such as the Global Tiger Innovation Facility - launched in 2025 - accelerating the testing and scaling of approaches. We are refining strategies based on lessons learned, investing in technologies that improve monitoring and enforcement, and strengthening coexistence models to reduce human-wildlife conflict. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, supporting the implementation of government commitments made to address tiger trade at this year’s meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and to restoring prey populations, both critical pillars for tiger recovery. 

The road ahead may be challenging, but the progress we’ve made proves that species recovery is possible, even for large landscape-scale carnivores. With vision, investment, and collaboration, we can ensure tigers thrive for generations to come. Now is the time to act boldly and collectively. 

Finally, thank you. None of our impact would be possible without the dedication of our partners, donors, and communities. Your support enables us to push boundaries for tiger conservation protecting countless other species and sustaining the landscapes that people depend on. 

Join us as we take the next steps toward a future where tigers and people thrive together.