Of the nine subspecies of tigers, three are already extinct. All six remaining subspecies of tigers are currently considered endangered animals. There are many different estimates of the number of wild tigers alive today, ranging from 3,500 to as low as 2,000. This number has gotten so low mainly as a result of poaching and habitat destruction. According to the World Wildlife Fund, tigers have lost 93% of their historic range due to habitat destruction. Tiger fur is the primary target of poachers, but according to one article, all parts of the tiger are in demand for use in traditional Asian medicine. Tigers are even part of the illegal pet trade. However, many organizations and governments in countries around the world have begun to work towards protecting tigers from extinction. Movements such as India's Project Tiger establish tiger reserves as protection for the animals. Various laws have made poaching and the pet trade illegal, as well as establishing rules for the protection of the forests tigers inhabit. Many countries also have laws preventing the sale of products made with tiger parts. Even zoos help with breeding programs and by educating the public on the current threat facing tigers. Thus far, these measures have been largely successful, but the work is not done. With numbers this low, tigers still need a lot of help. If you are interested in learning more or donating to the cause, I recommend visiting the World Wildlife Fun website. An Animal Planet survey found that tigers are the world's favorite animal! If we want to keep these and the many other endangered animals around, we've got to keep educating ourselves and others and taking a stand for animals who can't help themselves.
Resources:
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-tiger.html
http://www.planetwildlife.com/information/species/tiger?section=other
http://www.indonesianfauna.com/tiger.php
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/tiger/conservation.htm
http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/tigers/threats.html
Image:
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/china/article/762492--china-s-year-of-the-endangered-tiger
It makes me very happy to hear that efforts to protect conserve the tigers and their environment are largely successful. Tigers are one of my favorite animals as well! 2,000-3,500 wild tigers seems alarmingly low. I wonder how many tigers are alive in captivity, and if there are any efforts to release captive tigers back into the wild. Perhaps some sort of breeding program that limits human-tiger activity, allows them to learn what they would in nature, and releases them back into the wild would allow their numbers to expand. It seems like this type of program would be worth a shot. But then again poaching, the pet trade, and deforestation still remain a threat. Hmm.. I hope to see more success and more tigers in the future!
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