Forests still large enough to double the world's tiger population, study finds

Satellite maps show tiger habitat is being lost but still adequate for meeting international goal of doubling tiger numbers by 2022

Forests that harbour tigers are being lost but are still large enough to take double the world's tiger population in the next six years, according to a study using new satellite mapping technology.

But the internationally agreed goal can only be achieved if no further habitat across Asia is lost and if the "corridors" that connect tiger populations are protected, researchers warn in the paper, published on Friday in the journal Science Advances.