There are many long-range problems facing the tiger and other endangered species throughout Asia- economic development, population pressure, loss of habitat, and lack of political will in tiger habitat countries. The most immediate threat to the tiger, however, is poaching to satisfy the market for traditional Chinese medicinal products. It is in support of efforts to stop this immediate threat that The Fund for The Tiger is dedicated.

In 1996 we began grants to assist tiger conservation efforts in India and Nepal through the Wildlife Protection Society of India and the International Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal. Both have non-profit charity status in their respective countries and are run by highly respected, trusted, and well-known experts in the field of tiger and wildlife conservation. Peter Jackson, Chairman of the Cat Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wrote to The Fund, "keep up the good funding...you are helping the right people."

The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) was founded in 1994 by Belinda Wright. They are a very hard hitting and aggressive non-governmental organization working at ground zero to save the tiger in India. Their activities are extensive but our Fund has specifically sought to help their 'Investigation into Poaching and Illegal Trade of Wild Tigers in India.' This project includes the funding of information networks, conducting sting operations, follow-ups in the legal system where arrests and convictions are possible, investigating all tiger poaching incidents, and most importantly, helping to support anti-poaching efforts which will prevent the killing of tigers.  

Belinda Wright was born and raised in India and most of her life has been dedicated to wildlife and tigers. In the golden years of the tiger she was a documentary filmmaker, photographer for National Geographic, and made the Emmy award winning National Geographic special, "Land of the Tiger." She now dedicates her life to saving the tiger in India. Her book, Through the Tiger's Eyes (Ten Speed Press), chronicles her early work for National Geographic and her recent work with WPSI. The photographs are spectacular.  In 2003 Belinda was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for “services to the protection of wildlife and endangered species in India.”

Since 2009 we have partnered with the Nepal Tiger Conservancy and Nepal Tiger Trust to fund and support Community-Based Anti-Poaching efforts at Bardia and Chitwan National parks, the two jewels of Nepal’s tiger habitat. These have become trend-setting efforts that have been replicated throughout Nepal. Also we continue to support the Long-Term Tiger Monitoring and Camera Trapping effort, a legacy of Chuck McDougal when he started this as Smithsonian Research Associate in 1977.