HELP SAVE THE TIGER

At the turn of the last century there were estimated to be around 100,000 wild tigers in Asia.  Today it is likely that fewer than 5,000 tigers remain.  At least three and probably four of the eight sub-species have become extinct:- 1) the Balinese which was the smallest tiger (around 1940), 2) the Caspian tiger (around 1975), and 3) the Javan tiger (around 1980).  Recent surveys in China have failed to produce evidence that Chinese tigers survive in the wild and it is feared that the wild population has become extinct.  Few Chinese tigers survive in captivity and the small zoo population is highly inbred.  Five years ago in India alone, the wild tiger population stood at approximately 3,500 but the latest figures published by The Wildlife Institute of India estimate that these numbers have fallen between 1,300 and 1,500.

The main threat to the tigers survival continues to be:

1.  De-forestation caused by the ever increasing human population requiring more forest land for agricultural purposes.

2.  Poaching of the 'big cat' in order to supply the illegal trade in both tiger skins and derivatives for traditional Chinese medicine.

3.  Over hunting of the tigers prey base such as wild boar, deer and wild cattle.

Both the government of India and a number of worthy non-government organisations are working hard in the field to protect and save the remaining tiger population.  During my conversations with tiger experts from such organisations, I feel strongly that the wild tiger can be pulled back from the brink of extinction and need not be confined to the growing list of 'lost' species.  Tiger conservation is now more crucial than ever and I would, therefore, ask everyone visiting this website to kindly consider making a donation or support any of the wildlife charities listed in the 'Links' section to help aid vital tiger conservation programmes.