Conservation summit champions the legendary tiger. Co-hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the World Bank, the International Forum on Tiger Conservation was launched Sunday, November 21 for discussions on how to restore the iconic animal’s dwindling numbers. This is the first time that high-level officials from the last remaining countries with wild tiger populations are convening on their behalf. Along with hosting nation Russia, whose diligent efforts have yielded success in saving the Siberian tiger from near extinction, participating nations include Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Âu Lạc (Vietnam). Mr. Barney Long, the head of the World Wildlife Fund US Tiger Program said that without dedicated conservation efforts, all species could be gone by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022. He stated, “If we can't rally to save the world's most iconic animal, how are we going to save the rest of the planet?”

We appreciate your concerned actions, Prime Minister Putin, World Bank, World Wildlife Fund and all nations that have committed to saving the wild tiger. May your meeting yield outcomes of benefit to the tiger and all animal co-inhabitants that grace our Earth.