About The Center
Tigers United: A Center of Excellence in Tiger Conservation, anchored at Clemson University
Tigers United is a Center of Excellence in Tiger Conservation anchored at Clemson University. We advance global tiger recovery by strengthening implementation capacity across tiger landscapes through research translation, practitioner-oriented training and collaborative problem solving.
At a Glance
- Purpose: bridge research, practice and policy implementation to support tiger recovery
- Model: a Center of Excellence is a network of professionals and institutions
- Anchor: headquartered at Clemson University with allied offices across partner campuses
- Global link: serves as the United States home of the Global Tiger Initiative Council (GTIC)
Our Story
Where Tigers United fits in the global tiger conservation movement
Tigers United emerged from a historic shift in global tiger conservation: from mobilizing political commitment to strengthening implementation, coordination and long-term capacity.
Why a University-led Center of Excellence
In March 2017, GTIC convened consultations in India with academic leadership from Clemson University and Auburn University, key Indian ministries and national conservation institutes and Chief Wildlife Wardens from flagship tiger reserves.
These discussions surfaced urgent implementation needs:
- Research translation: converting internationally funded research into consistent on-the-ground management and policy outcomes
- Human-tiger conflict: the single greatest challenge at the protected area–community interface
- Interdisciplinary problem solving: integrating biological science with social and behavioral research to address complex realities
- Knowledge transfer: strengthening extension-style communication and practitioner-oriented outreach in tiger range countries
- Untapped university role: mobilizing universities in a sustained, structured way to support implementation
Tigers United was envisioned in direct response: not as a parallel conservation program, but as an academic and capacity-building response to implementation challenges within the GTRP.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To partner with the Global Tiger Initiative Council to support the Global Tiger Recovery Program, capitalizing on the collective power of land-grant universities to provide research, education, technology transfer, and capacity building in tiger range countries.
Our Vision
To raise awareness of the challenges faced by tigers in the wild and provide practical solutions through a collaborative network of passionate professionals and concerned citizens.
What "Center of Excellence" means at Tigers United
A Center of Excellence is more than a physical location. It is a coordinated network that aligns expertise, accelerates learning, and strengthens implementation at scale.
The Center of Excellence is headquartered at Clemson University and supported through allied offices across partner campuses, combining an anchored structure with a distributed footprint.
How We Work
Land-grant Advantage
Tigers United leverages land-grant strengths in applied research, extension, education, and capacity building to connect evidence to practice.
Land-grant depth supports interdisciplinary action across:
- Conservation and wildlife biology, management and conservation
- Landscape, population and ecosystem ecology
- Forestry, agriculture and park management
- Veterinary, animal, plant and aquatic sciences
- Human social and behavioral sciences
Organizational Structure and Governance
- Headquarters:The Center of Excellence is headquartered at Clemson University, with allied offices on partner campuses.
- Global governance link:Clemson serves as the United States home of the Global Tiger Initiative Council, connecting Tigers United to the global tiger conservation governance architecture.
- Leadership:An institutional director and professional staff support both the Center of Excellence and the Global Tiger Initiative Council.
- Campus coordination:Each partner university designates a lead faculty administrator to recruit and coordinate campus engagement.
- Range country affiliations:The Center establishes affiliations with institutions in tiger range countries to widen the network, build trust and strengthen long-term collaboration.
- Governance:Guided by a council of provosts with representation from partner universities, alongside GTIC leadership and conservation professionals.
Join Tigers United
At Clemson, Tiger pride carries a global responsibility. Join us as we move Fiercely Forward to secure a future for wild tigers.
Membership and Giving
