International Tiger Day 2013
International Tiger Day - on July 29 - draws attention to the plight of one of the world's most majestic species. With only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, DW examines what is being done to stop tigers becoming extinct.
Dramatic decline
International Tiger Day - on July 29 - draws attention to the plight of one of the world's most majestic animals. From an estimated population of 100,000 early last century, there are now only an estimated 3,200 tigers left in the wild. At the current rate of poaching and habitat loss, it has been estimated that tigers in the wild could completely disappear within the next ten years.
Tigers in mythology
As one of the animals most revered by humanity, tigers have a powerful place in the mythology of many cultures. Seen as a protector of the forest and symbols of power, strength and beauty, tigers are one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The next Year of the Tiger is in 2022.
Subspecies under threat
There were nine subspecies of tiger (panthera tigris) roaming the planet until the 1900s. Now, the Indo-Chinese, Malayan, Bengal and Amur tigers are all endangered while the Sumatran (pictured) and South China tigers are critically endangered. The Bali, Javan and Caspian tigers have become extinct within the past 80 years. The subspecies differ in size, color and coat.
Habitats being destroyed
Historically spread across Asia, from Turkey, to the east coasts of Russia and China and from Siberia to Indonesia’s islands, tigers have lost 97 percent of their range. Human activities like logging, agriculture and road building have destroyed their habitats. The small and scattered nature of remaining tiger habitats leads to the risk of inbreeding and makes tigers more vulnerable to poachers.
Illegal traded for parts
Tiger parts have been used in traditional medicine in Chinese and other Asian cultures for more than 1,000 years to treat ailments from rheumatism to skin diseases. Claws, teeth and whiskers are used as good luck charms. While international trade in tiger parts has been banned since 1987, there is still a sizeable black market demand, exacerbated by growing levels of wealth.
Tigers in farms
While very few tigers survive in the wild, more than 5,000 are held and bred in farms and zoos in China and other parts of Asia. A report by the Environmental Investigation Agency released in February 2013 said skins and bones of farmed tigers were used to make luxury furnishings and tiger bone wine in China, which also fuels poaching of wild tigers and undermines conservation efforts.
Used for entertainment
Circuses have included tigers in their entertainment offering since the 1700s. Animal advocates have raised concerns about the training techniques, constant travel and unnatural environments the performing animals are subjected to. England's government is discussing plans to ban wild animals in circuses. In the US, it’s believed at least 5,000 tigers are being kept as pets and for profit.
Competing with humans
The competition between tigers and humans for space is threatening the world’s remaining wild tigers. As forests shrink, tigers have resorted to hunting domestic livestock, which the human population depends on. If tigers are killed or captured in retaliation, they can end up on black markets. Here, forestry officials in India investigate the dead body of a tigress.
Conservation efforts
At a Tiger Summit held in Russia in November 2010, the 13 countries with wild tiger populations adopted the goal to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022. For this to happen, it is agreed that poaching needs to be halted and habitats need to be protected and improved. Here, customs officials display seized tiger skins.
Zoos, wild or both?
There’s division among experts about the effectiveness of tiger breeding programs even in reputed zoos. The zoos say they contribute to research and ensuring a genetically diverse population, while as a popular attraction, tigers and their cubs are ambassadors for their wild cousins. Meanwhile organizations like Born Free argue that resources would be better spent protecting wild habitats.