Tiger

3,000 in the wild and 10,000 in captivity., tigers are being treated as Selfie props than wildlife

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Tiger

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3,000 in the wild and 10,000 in captivity., tigers are being treated as Selfie props than wildlife

Population 3,890
96% decline just over a century

As the largest of the world’s big cats, the tiger’s imposing presence is matched only by its striking beauty, vibrant coat, and distinctive black stripes. These stripes serve not only as a means of identification but also distinguish the tiger from other large felines such as lions and panthers.

Beyond its physical prowess and beauty, the tiger holds a significant ecological role as an umbrella species. By protecting the tiger and its habitat, we inadvertently conserve the broader ecological networks that support a multitude of other species. The health and sustainability of these ecosystems are closely linked to the tiger’s presence, underlining the importance of its conservation for maintaining biodiversity.

In many Asian cultures, the tiger is revered not just as a symbol of wilderness but as a deity or guardian, embodying strength, courage, and protection. This deep cultural reverence, however, contrasts sharply with the grim reality that tigers face today. Valued for their body parts in the illegal wildlife trade, tigers are pushed further toward the brink of extinction.

The relentless demand for tiger parts has contributed to a dramatic loss of both habitat and population. Over the last century, tigers have lost between 85% to 93% of their historic range, alongside a staggering 96% reduction in their population. These figures paint a dire picture of the future awaiting this magnificent species if urgent conservation measures are not implemented.

Tigers possess remarkable adaptations that have allowed them to survive under various environmental pressures. Known for their incredible swimming abilities, tigers navigate rivers and lakes with ease, thanks in part to their partially webbed toes.

The uniqueness of tigers extends to their individuality; much like human fingerprints, no two tigers have the same stripe pattern. This distinctiveness underscores the importance of each tiger in the genetic diversity of the species, which is vital for its survival and adaptation.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1960s (Caspian)
Armenia
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1970s (Caspian)
Azerbaijan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct late 1950s (Caspian)
Bangladesh
300-500
CR
2018
Bengal tiger
Bhutan
138-151
CR
2021
Bengal tiger
Cambodia
Official estimate
EX
Last seen 2007 (Indochinese tiger)
China
Official estimate
EX
Bengal tiger
China
50
CR
2018
Siberian tiger
China
50
CR
2018
South China tiger
Hong Kong
Official estimate
EX
Extinct early 1950s
India
3,167
EN
2023
Bengal tiger
Indonesia
Official estimate
EX
Bornean tiger
Indonesia
<400
EN
2022
Sumatra (Sumatran tiger)
Iran
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1954 (Caspian tiger)
Iraq
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1887 (Caspian tiger)
Kazakhstan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1950s (Caspian tiger)
Kyrgyzstan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1940s (Caspian tiger)
Laos
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 2014 (Indochinese tiger)
Malaysia
200
CR
2021
Malayan & Bornean tiger
Mongolia
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 2003 (Caspian tiger)
Myanmar
22
CR
2019
Bengal & Indochinese tiger
Nepal
355
EN
2022
Bengal tiger
North Korea
Official estimate
EX
Siberian tiger
Pakistan
Official estimate
EX
Last report 1906 (Bengal tiger)
Russia
433
EN
2016
Siberian tiger
Singapore
Official estimate
EX
Last killed 1930 (Malayan tiger)
Tajikistan
Official estimate
EX
Last seen 1970s (Caspian tiger)
Thailand
148-189
EN
2023
Western Forest Complex of Thailand (Indochinese tiger)
Turkey
Official estimate
EX
Last seen 1970, Uludere Hakkari province (Caspian tiger)
Turkmenistan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally (Caspian tiger)
Ukraine
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally (70’s), vagrant (Caspian)
Uzbekistan
Official estimate
EX
Last seen 60’s (Caspian tiger)
Vietnam
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally (Indochinese tiger)

Recent updates

Feb 2024: To restore its tiger population, Cambodia will install hundreds of monitoring cameras and import four tigers from India. Camera installation starts this month, and the tigers will arrive by year-end, settling in a 90-hectare protected zone in Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary. If successful, 12 more tigers will be imported over five years under an agreement with India.

April 2023: According to a recent census, India’s wild tiger population, which is the largest in the world, has surpassed 3,000 individuals. This increase is significant for the conservation of endangered species. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pride, hailing this milestone as a significant moment for India.

Dec 2022: In the US, the Big Cat Public Safety Act has been approved. This act aims to combat the illegal trading of tiger parts and products, a major factor contributing to the endangerment of wild tigers. Furthermore, it will guarantee the safety of big cats held in captivity and the public by regulating the ownership of big cats with a federal permit.

July 2022: Nepal has seen a dramatic increase in its wild tiger population, with numbers almost tripling since 2009. In line with this, tiger range countries met to begin discussions on the next 12-year commitments for tiger conservation under the Global Tiger Recovery Program.

Did you know?

  • Out of 8 subspecies, 3 had already been extinct, of which one is functionally extinct in the wild,
  • The rising demand for tiger parts has resulted in the establishment of truly dystopian places such as tiger breeding farms, which actively produce and slaughter tigers for their parts, and has fueled illegal traffic.
  • The 13 Tiger Range Countries adopted a Global Tiger Recovery Program in November 2010 during a Tiger Summit in St Petersburg, Russia. By 2022, the intention was to double the population of wild tigers.
  • Tigers are excellent swimmers thanks to their partially webbed toes.
  • No two tigers have the same stripes.
  • Many mammals are dichromatic, and see fewer colors that humans. This is why the Tiger’s camouflage works on them.
  • Tigers evolved from a catlike animal called miacid, which lived sixty million years ago and ate insects!
  • They may be heard roaring from three kilometers (almost 2 miles) away.
  • Tigers feed on hoofed animals and sometimes even other predators like leopards, crocodiles, and bears.
  • Their urine smells like buttered popcorn.

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore

/ Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No

Tiger on banknotes

India 10 Rupees (2013)

Nepal 500 Rupees Banknote (2020)

South Vietnam 500 Dong (1972)