Saving a species that is rare and actively hunted like tigers is not an easy task, and without the help and support from our partners, it would not be possible. In Thailand, B.Grimm, the well-established energy, health care and real estate company, has been a major supporter of WWF-Thailand’s efforts to help recover Thailand’s tiger population.

The aim is to meet the “Tx2” conservation goal, set at the 2010 Global Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, which is to double the global wild tiger population by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese calendar.

Right now, it is believed that there are around 250 wild tigers left in Thailand, mostly living in the Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM), an integrated group of more than 18 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that is considered to the best habitat for tiger populations to replenish in Thailand. B.Grimm has directly supported strategic activities, including habitat improvement, improved enforcement and community outreach of conserving tigers, specifically in the area of Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Parks (MWKL) area, which are located in Kamphaeng Phet province in western Thailand, near the border with Myanmar. MWKL is a first priority tiger source site for recovery as identified by Thailand’s Department of Natural Parks.

The achievements resulting from the B.Grimm and WWF-Thailand partnership have been significant thus far and details of their joint activities have been published in the respected journal, Advanced Thailand Geographic. There are three major components to the partnership’s activities: wildlife research and monitoring, strengthening enforcement and conservation education and awareness raising.

To try to save tigers, conservationists must have an accurate number of how many are actually living in the wild so a science-based methodology can be used. To compile such information, monitoring cameras have been installed as part of the partnership’s campaign, and now a population baseline for tigers has indeed been established. The survey results documented that 10 tigers currently live in the area as well as 32 other mammal species, including 17 global threatened species.

Another focus of the partnership has been to increase the patrolling capacity for 123 rangers in MWKL by equipping them with knowledge through multiple training courses to strengthen their ability to stop poachers. Rangers now patrol 16 days per month, which is even above the national enforcement standard, and a “smart” patrol database room has been built to support data analysis.

Furthermore, a solar cell system has been set up to help rangers and the team patrol the areas and support the overall efficiency of the communication system. There has also been an expansion of outreach activities, including the development of an educational training app about tiger conservation that has been made available to 1,300 local students, teachers and villagers in the surrounding community.

It’s no surprise that B.Grimm is involved in WWF-Thailand’s efforts to help save the tigers from extinction since the company is well-known for its charitable work. The company’s stated policy is to encourage efficient use of energy and natural resources, and to strongly implement this ethos wherever possible. B.Grimm does significant independent activities to combat climate change and wildlife conservation through a variety of ways such as reforestation projects as well as CO2 emissions reduction efforts.

"At B. Grimm we strive to do business with compassion for the development of civilization. Thailand is fortunate to be a country where the prevalent religious emphasize compassion. Our environment is our heritage and we need as a compassionate and civilized country to preserve and enlarge our forests and wildlife. In Thailand only a natural park with tigers is complete and natural. Only with tigers that can show its healthy status. Therefore we are very happy to join WWF, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other people like B. Grimm to save these majestic animals from extinction in our forests,"said Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm.

WWF-Thailand is also grateful for B.Grimm’s support.

“WWF-Thailand and B.Grimm see the importance of sharing the importance and wonders of nature of this forest with the public to create a better understanding about our world. The situation with tigers is dire and we need companies like B.Grimm to help raise awareness to a larger audience,” said Yowalak Thiarachow, Country Director, WWF-Thailand.