Tigers risk extinction within 12 years

The World Wildlife Fund and other experts speaking during a “tiger summit” estimated that only about 3,200 tigers remain in the wild, a considerable fraction of the estimated 100,000 in circulation only a century ago.

James Leape, World Wildlife Fund director general told the summit in St. Petersburg that if the proper protective measures aren't taken, tigers may disappear by 2022 - ironically the next Chinese calendar year of the tiger.

Tigers’ habitat is fast being destroyed by deforestation and land development. On top of that, they represent a valuable trophy for poachers who want their skins and body parts which is prized in Chinese traditional medicine.

The summit approved a wide-ranging program with the goal of doubling the world's tiger population in the wild by 2022 backed by governments of the 13 countries that still have tiger populations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

The Global Tiger Recovery Program estimates the countries will need roughly $350 million in outside funding in the first five years of the 12-year plan. The summit will be seeking donor commitments to help governments finance conservation measures.

"For most people tigers are one of the wonders of the world," Leape told The Associated Press. "In the end, the tigers are the inspiration and the flagship for much broader efforts to conserve forests and grasslands."