Threats
From 100,000 to 4,000 today
© WWF-Canon / Caroline LIOU
Although there are no accurate recent estimates, the numbers of tigers in the wild is thought to have fallen by 95% since the turn of the 20th century -- down from around 100,000 to the present estimate of around 4,000.
This is why all tigers are classified as endangered and suffer many different threats such as: poaching, habitat destruction, loss of prey and conflicts with humans.
Illegal trade & poaching
For more than 1,000 years, tiger parts have been in demand as an ingredient for traditional Asian medicines, for supposed "magic purposes", souvenirs, as status symbols and even as decorative items such as wall and floor coverings.
Although trade in tiger parts and derivatives is illegal, poaching persistently feeds continuing consumer demand and is a major worldwide threat to the species.
And the worst is that as tiger populations decline, demand increases for parts and derivatives of other big cat species such as the endangered snow leopard and leopard.
Large-scale habitat destruction and devastation of prey populations are also contributing to the tiger's decline.
When habitat is rapidly turned into farmland and settlements, and when natural prey is hunted by humans and stocks fall, tigers attack domestic animals - and sometimes humans.
This often leads to these 'problem animals' being killed by the authorities or angry villagers in retaliation.
Lack of strong policies and finantial resources
Many countries who have tiger populations within their borders lack the capacity and resources to assess tiger and prey populations and monitor their distribution over time and space.
Many times, it is also difficult to be able to effectively enforce laws prohibiting poaching and trade.
Policies to ensure the long-term survival of the tiger are often lacking -- and where they do exist, implementation is often weak.
Saving the tiger
Although the challenge is great, we can save the tiger!Working with local communities, strenghtning policies and educating people are just some of the ways we guarantee a future for this beautiful and important species.
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