Authorities on Tuesday announced the discovery of 18 tigers living and breeding in the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai World Natural Heritage Site.

They were discovered by surveillance cameras and seen on several occasions between June 2016 and February. Of the 18, five are male and seven are female, with six cubs.

The discovery was the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Freeland, a frontline counter-trafficking organisation, and Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organisation.

Authorities hailed the finding as a critically-timed victory for the future of the Indochinese tiger and pointed out the discovery indicates the health of the region as tigers can only exist in a healthy ecosystem.

Worldwide it is estimated only 4,000 tigers are still in existence from a previous tally of over 100,000.

The Freeland Foundation has donated technology and training to DNP staff so that they may further preserve the region and protect its wildlife.