India delays Cambodia tiger reintroduction until 2028

India has postponed its plan to reintroduce Royal Bengal Tigers into Cambodia, shifting the target date from 2025 to 2028. The delay follows a review indicating that the prey base in Cardamom National Park is currently insufficient to support a viable tiger population.

Under a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, India intends to reintroduce six tigers—two males and four females—to the region, which has been tiger-free since 2007. Current ecological assessments show that populations of essential prey, such as wild pigs, muntjacs, and sambars, remain below the levels required for successful reintroduction. An Indian official noted that the existing prey base can likely only support three to four tigers in the area.

In October, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will travel to Cambodia to consult with local authorities. This workshop aims to develop a roadmap for tiger recovery and establish a final action plan involving forest officials, scientists, and international conservation organizations.