Story highlights For the last 100 years, the world tiger population has been on the decline

New data reveal tiger counts are up, partially due to better reporting and tiger protection

(CNN) Tigers are back in the game. For the first time in 100 years, the world population of tigers is on the rise.

The big cat's comeback is in thanks to increasing tiger populations in India, Russia, Nepal and Bhutan. The ways in which we track tigers have improved and so have the methods used to protect these striped creatures.

"This is a pivotal step in the recovery of one of the world's most endangered and iconic species," said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at WWF. "But much more work and investment is needed if we are to reach our goal of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022."

Terrrrrific #NumberOfTheDay: Tigers now living wild globally - the first rise in 100 years https://t.co/IyeXdGVAzB pic.twitter.com/16i3ogOjzd — Lang Banks, WWF (@LangBanks) April 11, 2016

The tiger news came just before a key meeting Monday in New Delhi, where WWF and the Global Tiger Forum are hosting a tiger conservation conference. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the conference.

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