BEFORE THEY’RE GONE

BEFORE
THEY’RE
GONE
Story by
Doug McInnis
Eric Dinerstein (’75), chief scientist for the
World Wildlife Fund, is part of a global effort to save
the habitat of wild tigers
Despite what you may have heard, there are plenty of tigers in
the world – in places like Texas.
But in the wild regions of Asia, where tigers are meant to
be, they are endangered. Just 3,200 survive in a region that
once supported 100,000, says Eric Dinerstein (’75, Ecosystems
Analysis), the chief scientist for the World Wildlife Fund.
More tigers can be found on Texas game ranches, he says.
Dinerstein has tracked the big cat’s fate since he participated in
a tiger census more than 30 years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer
in Nepal. He’s now one of the world’s most influential wildlife
scientists, and part of a multi-national movement to save the tiger.
The cat’s plight stems both from poaching and from human
development of what was once prime tiger habitat. To reverse the
tiger’s population crash, wildlife scientists say Asian nations must
stop the poaching and expand the habitat. Dinerstein believes
the cat can be saved, in part because other species have bounced
back after approaching extinction. Just 100 southern white rhinos
survived in Africa in 1900. Today, there are more than 20,000.
“Even the most endangered mammals on Earth can make dramatic
recoveries as long as we protect them and preserve enough habitat,”
Dinerstein says.
Dinerstein was an unlikely candidate for a career in wildlife
science. He spent his childhood indoors, reading and watching
old movies. He foresaw a career as a filmmaker as he headed for
college. Yet, within a few years, he found himself in the Himalayan
kingdom of Nepal, living in a tent, sometimes riding an elephant
for transport, and co-existing with some of the most dangerous
creatures on Earth.
One memorable night, he and his Peace Corps tent mate
awoke to the sound of crunching. They peered through the tent’s
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