Can Southeast Asia's Tigers Break Free? The Connectivity, Constraints, and Recovery of the Region's Remaining Tiger Populations

Southeast Asia's tiger populations face critical challenges but show signs of recovery, particularly through habitat connectivity. A study using spatially-synoptic modeling identified only four contiguous core habitat patches across three landscapes—Dawna-Tenasserim (DTL), Upper Chindwin (UCL), and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai (DPKY)—as having broad-scale connectivity potential. The DTL landscape emerged as a key site for population spread, while UCL's expansive habitat offers unparalleled potential for expansion, though its status remains uncertain. Conversely, DPKY's isolated configuration poses significant constraints to movement, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts. This research provides actionable insights for tiger recovery strategies in a rapidly changing region.

Ash, E., Cushman, S. A., Kaszta, Ż., Redford, T., & Macdonald, D. W. (2025). Can Southeast Asia’s Tigers Break Free? The Connectivity, Constraints, and Recovery of the Region’s Remaining Tiger Populations. Animal Conservation, 29(1), 71–85. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.70021