TIGERS
PANTHERA TIGRIS
Tigers are the largest cat on earth. They are agile, with flexible bodies designed for running, jumping and climbing. Heavily-muscled forelimbs, retractable claws, powerful jaws, sharp teeth and acute senses make them awesome hunters.
Their distinctive markings blend in to the colours and shadows of their habitat, having a reddish-orange to yellow-ochre coat with a white belly and black stripes.
Tigers are generally solitary, living and hunting alone; the size of their territory varies with prey abundance. Tigers use scent to communicate – they spray urine and rub scent on trees and bushes to inform other cats of their whereabouts.
Females give birth to a litter of two-three cubs after a 90-110 day gestation. Cubs learn to hunt and kill from around six months of age but remain dependent on their mother for at least 15 months, after which time they will disperse to find their own territory.
*International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s main authority on the conservation status of species.
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IUCN* STATUS
Endangered
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POPULATION
4,000 ⚪
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DIET
Carnivorous – quite diverse, including wild pigs, deer, water buffalo, gaur, banteng, primates, porcupines and other rodents, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and even insects
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HABITAT
Found mainly in the forests of Asia, from the freezing boreal forests to hot and humid tropical rainforests
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LOCATION
A dozen Asian countries, with the largest numbers found in India and Russia
ISSUES
Tiger populations are on the brink of extinction in many countries of south east Asia and are threatened by habitat loss resulting from mining, logging, farming, palm oil plantations, settlements, roads and railways. Throughout their range tigers find themselves in conflict with farmers that persecute them for killing their livestock. Many large tracts of forest are now devoid of wild prey and no longer provide a niche for tigers.
Tigers are exploited in tiger farms due to demand for skins as luxury rugs and home décor, and for their bones which are used to make traditional medicines and health tonics.
Tigers are also exploited and abused in captivity - in circuses, zoos, tiger farms and in people’s private collections of exotic ‘pets’.
OUR WORK
Born Free works for tigers both in the wild and in captivity. In the wild, we are working globally to provide a unified, focused and coordinated programme for conservation initiatives to stop tiger poaching, put an end to tiger trade, and ensure their survival.
We also work to highlight the plight of tigers in captivity by encouraging improvements to animal welfare legislation and supporting improved care.
WE RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT . . .
FIELD CONSERVATION
The Satpuda Landscape Tiger Partnership (SLTP), developed alongside the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of Oxford.
SLTP brings together a network of dedicated Indian conservationists working in seven tiger reserves in Central India, a key tiger landscape, to support forest Departments and implement grassroots community conservation activities and prevent conflict between people and tigers.
RESCUE & CARE
Our sanctuaries at Bannerghatta in India and Phnom Tamoa in Cambodia, which provides lifetime care to tigers that have been rescued from a life of suffering in captivity.
WILDLIFE TRADE & POLICY
Campaigning for an end to the use of tigers in circuses, zoos, tourist attractions and as exotic pets.
Working within CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to enforce the international trade ban on tiger parts and products.
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