Global Tiger Day Reminds Us We Need to Protect These Cats

The 13th annual International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is approaching on July 29. Initially created by Vladimir Putin in 2010 in an attempt to save Amur (Siberian) tiger populations, International Tiger Day centers around bringing awareness to tiger conservation battles. Centuries ago, tigers ruled vast territories across Asia. But habitat destruction, poaching, and other threats have significantly limited tiger populations. Today, fewer than 6,000 wild tigers remain.

Conservation organizations worldwide are now working steadily to prevent the extinction of wild tigers. Dedicated teams and initiatives from organizations like Panthera, the International Tiger Project (ITP), and the Born Free Foundation serve to address these urgent problems. The outcome of these efforts has already had an impact, with tiger population numbers beginning to rise slightly. Continued efforts could now determine the future of wild tigers.

The Scale of Tiger Population Loss

Several organizations share concerns that tigers could feasibly become extinct within the next two decades. But how did we get to this point? This is especially staggering considering that, in the 1900s, an estimated 100,000 wild tigers existed throughout the world.

“More recent studies show that tigers ranged over about 11 million km² at the beginning of the 1900s, but now they occupy around 1 million km², which is roughly a 90% decline in their habitat,” says Abishek Harihar, PhD, a trained conservation biologist with a focus on tiger conservation. Harihar currently works with Panthera, a nonprofit organization devoted to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats and the vast ecosystems they inhabit, as Director of the Tiger Program.

Current population estimates vary based on different methodologies. As Harihar explains, “Due to the differing ways of measuring populations, it is difficult to compare the global tiger population with previous estimates.”

Still, most estimates suggest a severe and, in some cases, catastrophic decline. A 2021 assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) estimates that there are between 2,608 and 3,905 mature tigers worldwide.

Aren’t Tiger Populations Rising?

As mentioned earlier, there have been slight gains in tiger populations in certain areas of the world. Specifically, Bhutan, Thailand, Russia, India, and Nepal have also seen upticks in wild tigers. On one hand, this is extremely promising and gives hope that we may one day conserve this species.

But the rising numbers don’t always give the full picture. Luke Phillips, the Marketing & PR Manager at David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, a trusted leader in wildlife conservation, explains, “The gains are not uniform. Furthermore, the increases reported do not reflect the bigger picture. Increases are almost all restricted to dedicated tiger reserves, which are at capacity and cannot offer sustained population growth. Outside of these reserves, local populations are, in fact, still in decline.”

Which Tigers Are Most at Risk?

While tiger populations have been declining, not every tiger subspecies is equally at risk. There are six tiger subspecies altogether. Representatives from the Born Free Foundation, a leading wildlife charity that helped co-found the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership (SLTP) over two decades ago, say, “The Bengal Tiger, which is found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, has the highest population of any of the subspecies.” Altogether, an estimated 3,000-3,500 Bengal tigers still live in the wild. However, the organization warns, “This does not mean they are safe.”

The remaining tiger subspecies are especially vulnerable to extinction, with critically low numbers that make their survival uncertain without specific, rapid, and effective interventions.

• South China tigers (functionally extinct, around 200 in captivity)

• Malayan tigers (critically endangered, with around 150 left in the wild)

• Sumatran tigers (critically endangered, around 600 remaining, threatened by habitat loss)

• Indochinese tigers (endangered, fewer than 350 remain)

• Siberian tigers (around 500-600 remain, but monitoring is difficult because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine)

Could These Tigers Go Extinct?

As Phillips states, “None of the extant species of tiger is safe. These numbers are incredibly low for what is a continental apex predator. The Malayan tiger is very likely to become extinct within a few years, as is the Indochinese tiger. And the fate of the Amur tiger is in the hands of a highly unstable geopolitical climate.”

Harihar believes that conservation efforts from the Malaysian government could conserve strongholds and begin recovering populations for the Malayan tiger. But he does recognize the steep decline of tiger populations, continuing, “The Indochinese tiger, once occurring throughout mainland Southeast Asia, is now extinct in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Currently, the last remaining populations are in Myanmar, which are recovering, and stable populations are only found in Thailand. The Sumatran tiger population continues to decline, although a few strongholds remain.”

Should any of these tiger subspecies go extinct, they would unfortunately follow in the footsteps of the Javan, Bali, and Caspian tigers. Representatives from the International Tiger Project, a not-for-profit project for tiger conservation, rainforest protection, and local community partnerships run by the Wildlife Conservation International Board, reinforce the horrors of the situation. They explain, “With fewer than 300 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, their time is running out. We face the grim possibility of them being lost forever.”

Leif Cocks, Founder of the International Tiger Project, says, “The Sumatran tiger is standing on the brink of extinction. If we lose them, it won’t just be a tragedy for Indonesia. It will be a tragedy for the world. We need urgent, united action to protect forests and stop poaching before these magnificent animals vanish forever.”

What Are the Major Threats to Tiger Populations?

There is no singular threat to tigers. Rather, multiple threats are working together at once to push this species towards extinction. The interconnectedness of these issues also compounds in ways that increase the danger for remaining tigers.

Poaching

Poaching, the illegal killing of tigers for parts of their body, remains the most immediate threat to wild tigers across their range. The illegal wildlife trade is, unfortunately, a $20 billion industry with devastating effects.

“The poaching of tigers for their skins, bones, and meat has led to significant declines in tiger populations across Asia,” says Born Free.

The International Tiger Project has seen the effects of this firsthand in Sumatran tiger populations. As they explain, “Despite being legally protected, Sumatran tigers are relentlessly targeted for the illegal wildlife trade. Poachers set deadly traps in the forest, leaving tigers injured or dead. Their skin, bones, claws, and teeth are sold on the black market for high prices, driven by demand for traditional medicines, souvenirs, and trophies. Tragically, the rewards for poaching often outweigh the risks, as weak law enforcement and low penalties in Indonesia allow the trade to thrive.”

Another challenge of preventing poaching is that it has become both more sophisticated and more technological, a fact that both Phillips and Harihar agree on. From digital networks and payment systems to syndicated crime networks, addressing poaching now requires a multipronged approach.

Habitat Destruction

“Habitat loss and fragmentation, driven by logging, palm oil, agriculture, and infrastructure, is one of the most immediate threats to tigers today,” Phillips says. As human populations grow and expand, tigers lose access to the territory needed for successful hunting and breeding.

Born Free points out infrastructure changes as especially damaging. “Where areas of natural forest remain, they are often highly fragmented, leading to isolated pockets of habitat. This results in tigers being unable to migrate safely while looking for new territory. India has the largest remaining population of tigers, but only 11% of their original habitat remains,” the organization notes.

Human-Tiger Interaction

Habitat loss also intersects with another issue: human-tiger interaction. According to the International Tiger Project, “Tigers are losing their hunting grounds, shelter, and safe spaces to raise their cubs. As tiger forests disappear, so does their prey. Tigers are left hungry and desperate, forced to hunt closer and closer to villages, where they enter farmland and attack livestock.”

However, there are potential ways to reduce human-tiger conflict and create safer, more empowered communities while also protecting tigers. Community-based conservation efforts provide the opportunity for locals to assist in conservation efforts and protect their livelihoods.

“The more sustainable part of community-based conservation is communities’ abilities to self-govern, manage their ancestral lands, and participate as partners,” says Harihar.

He expands, “In Malaysia, Panthera’s work involves collaborating with the Orang Asli indigenous people to help protect forests and tigers. In Thailand, we work with the Karen people to recognize their rights to access non-timber forest products and graze lands. By ensuring the livelihoods of the communities in and around tiger habitats are secure, we can build a local support base for conservation.”

The Organizations Working to Save Tigers

Effective tiger conservation efforts require a variety of factors: education and outreach, stronger anti-poaching enforcement, cross-border conservation agreements, the reduction of harmful tiger farms that stimulate demand for illegal products, and climate protection. Sometimes, recognizing the broad scope of conservation needs can be overwhelming. But these organizations are working to improve funding, protect habitats, and ensure that tigers do not disappear during our lifetime.

Born Free Foundation

According to Born Free, “In more than 40 years of working for wildlife, we have tackled big issues and remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping wildlife in the wild. We are dedicated to working with communities living with wildlife to reduce conflict with wild animals, protect habitats, and promote sustainable human-wildlife coexistence.”

The SLTP performs a wide range of activities to protect India’s tiger populations. Community-based conservation is highly lauded by Born Free, which recognizes that communities often rely on forests for their health and safety. As such, the organization notes, “Local communities are best positioned to drive meaningful change through their daily interactions with the environment.”

The STLP works closely with communities to reduce human-tiger conflict through:

• Running stall-feeding programs to help farmers safely feed cattle at home

• Raising awareness of the role wild cats and wildlife play in forest survival through nature education programs and helping elders of the community understand the impact

• Conducting health camps in villages near tiger reserves to improve wellbeing and ability to participate in conservation efforts

• Providing free veterinary care to cattle

• Monitoring tigers close to villages or human settlements via the M-STrIPES monitoring system

• Guiding the local community about conflict mitigation techniques.

If you want to hear more about tiger conservation and the work being done by SLTP, Born Free is hosting a free tiger webinar on July 29 at 13:30 (BST) / 8:30 AM EST to celebrate World Tiger Day.

Panthera

First founded in 2006, Panthera is devoted to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats and the vast ecosystems they inhabit. The organization notes, “Our team of biologists, data scientists, law enforcement experts, and wild cat advocates studies and protects the seven species of big cats: cheetahs, tigers, jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, and snow leopards. Panthera also creates targeted conservation strategies for the world’s most threatened and overlooked small cats.”

Panthera’s Tiger Forever Program began after a merger with the Save the Tiger Fund in 2011. Since then, the Tigers Forever Program has been addressing tiger conservation in critical sites across India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Thailand. Through the program, and in addition to partnership with governments and local NGOs, Panthera:

• Identifies, protects, and connects key tiger habitats and corridors

• Develops community-based conservation initiatives

• Monitors tiger and prey populations

• Supports anti-poaching measures through the Counter-Wildlife Crime Program and tools like SMART and PoacherCams

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

According to Phillips, “David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation is helping to protect tiger populations throughout Asia. Working from grassroots to the world stage, DSWF adopts a holistic approach to conservation that puts people at the heart of our work and takes into consideration the vital importance of communities in the fight to protect the world’s most endangered wildlife.”

The DSWF supports frontline tiger conservation in numerous ways, including:

• Funding undercover investigations into the illegal wildlife trade, as well as wildlife rangers to fight poaching

• Advocating for a ban on all tiger parts and derivatives through CITES and the TigerTime campaign

• Lobbying for governmental action

• Supporting law enforcement, habitat protection, and community engagement

DSWF also brings to light emerging issues in conservation. For example, says Phillips, “Climate resilience is becoming more important—ensuring tiger habitats can withstand fires, droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges.”

International Tiger Project

The International Tiger Project was formed in 2010 to conserve tiger ecosystems in a holistic manner. As ITP explains, “The organization provides technical and financial assistance directly to on-the-ground conservation projects. Our major strategy is to monitor tigers with camera traps. We then have our Wildlife Protection Units patrol and work with local communities to see that both tigers and humans remain safe and live in harmony.”

The ITP believes that saving the rainforest is the best way to save our planet. However, much of the rainforest is being damaged by drought, illegal logging, forest fires, and other human- and climate-based concerns. Many of their projects not only focus on protecting tigers, but preserving ecosystems and supporting other critically-endangered species.

Can You Help Tigers Too?

If you’re curious whether you, too, can play a role in tiger conservation, the answer is a resounding yes. You can do this in several ways, from supporting conservation-centric organizations to making small changes in your daily life that do actually make a difference:

Supporting Conservation Organizations

Direct financial support to established nonprofits can provide important funding. After all, shares the International Tiger Project, “The biggest obstacle preventing more successful conservation outcomes is a lack of funding.”

Consider making a donation to the International Tiger Project (or joining its Adopt A Tiger program), the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Panthera, or Born Free (where you can also adopt Gopal, a tiger at the Bannerghatta Tiger Sanctuary who was once at risk of being killed in retaliatory attacks after preying on goats and cattle). Says Phillips, “Even small efforts matter.”

You can also volunteer, from running campaigns on social media to raise awareness or assisting with fundraising initiatives. “If you’re an accountant, you can assist a conservation NGO and improve its accounting system. Whether you’re a writer or painter or whatever profession you are in, if you love wildlife, you will know what to do,” says Born Free.

Traveling Responsibly

Be a responsible tourist. If you visit non-accredited zoos or exploitative tiger attractions, such as Thailand’s Tiger Temple, you are directly contributing to cruel conditions for tigers.

“If you are visiting tiger habitats, choose tour operators who prioritize ethical and sustainable tourism. Never interact with wild animals and avoid companies which offer this,” says Born Free.

Living Sustainably

Avoid products made with palm oil or other unsustainably-collected ingredients that contribute to deforestation and tiger habitat destruction.

We Can Save Tigers

Across the board, tiger conservation organizations note that political instability and poorly implemented conservation policies can be difficult to overcome. Harihar explains, “At the international level, some of the most critical policy gaps that still exist are the non-inclusion of Tigers in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Although covered under CITES, the CMS can provide additional policy tools to help coordinate transnational trade and other cross-border conservation efforts.”

Advocating for your policymakers to make changes can actually make a difference. As Born Free states, “Political will is needed to conserve tigers. In countries where there has been strong political will, tiger numbers are on the up.”

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