Tigers are disappearing from the wild

September 5th, 2007

This photo also came from my local zoo, home to three Bengal tiger cubs. Bengal male tigers average around 450 to 500 pounds, just smaller than the Siberian tiger. Yet, they remind me so much of my little 10-pound domesticated cat. The tigers were very playful the day I took this photo. They could not get enough of play fighting in the water.

The endangered Bengal tiger lives in a wide range of habitats, including Bangladesh and the forests of Northern India. These strong creatures should be kings, but their futures are hanging in the balance of a fragile ecosystem in trouble.

According to Save The Tiger Fund, a program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, there were 100,000 wild tigers at the beginning of the last century, but today there are only around 5,000.

Tigers are disappearing from the wild because of habitat fragmentation, deforestation and prey depletion. Many tigers are killed illegally for their skins (used for decorations) and bones (used for traditional Asian medicines). As a tourist, if you come across trinkets made from tiger claws or teeth, you can report the seller to local or international authorities.

I’d certainly like my kitty’s big cat cousins to survive in the wild. You can visit WWF to learn more about illegal tiger trade.

Filed under Green Choices | Comments (12)

12 Responses to “Tigers are disappearing from the wild”

Jennie (NiennaC from AW) on September 5, 2007 2:23 am
Hearing stuff like this always makes me sad. I hate to imagine a world without the wonderful creatures we have now (tigers, pandas…) problem is, not too many people seem to care, and that worries me.

Beautiful pictures, by the way.
chocmoon on September 5, 2007 2:29 am
Thank you. The tigers were easy subjects this past weekend.

I know. I hated to do a “sad” post, but awareness is the first step to solving this problem.

If it makes you feel better, we’ll still have tigers in the zoo even if they go extinct in the wild…
m on September 5, 2007 6:34 am
I didn’t realize the situation with bengal tigers was so serious, and that there are only 5,000 left. Wow! It’s a shame for that to happen to any creature, but even moreso when it’s such a gorgeous creature.
Jennie (NiennaC from AW) on September 5, 2007 4:40 pm
chocmoon – You’re right, it is the first step, and I’m glad you made the post, even though it was sad! Even though we’d have tigers in the zoo, it just wouldn’t be the same. They need to be in the wild.
vshanahan on September 12, 2007 1:45 pm
Aren’t they the most majestic creatures? I LOVE tigers. I always have. Aside from being an LSU graduate, I suppose their mascot is one reason I’ve always remained a true fan. The love and care they show for their mascot is astounding.

They recently got a new “Mike,” He is 1/2 bengal and 1/2 siberian. He’s stunning.

http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=habitat
http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=picturegallery
http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=i_like_mike
chelsea on February 13, 2008 2:06 am
i love tigers. But aren’t Siberian Tigers the largest member of the cat family. Im pretty 100% sure they are.
Peggy on February 13, 2008 4:14 am
Chelsea, the average weight of a Siberian is a bit higher than the Bengal. You are right. I made a correction. Thanks.
Natalie on February 28, 2008 10:30 pm
I love this site soooooo much
Peggy on February 28, 2008 10:40 pm
Thank you Natalie!
Sen on June 23, 2008 10:52 am
I wanna kill those crearture-killers(who killed tigers bears wolves cougars…….) And when I see the fur-trade theeth-trade claws-trade of those animals ,that I will report to authoritys …
husky guide on March 8, 2011 7:25 pm
this page looks buggy from my iPhone.
Peggy on March 8, 2011 8:03 pm
Husky guide, This is an older post that apparently didn’t adapt well when I changed my template. I’ll re-size the photos and that should help. Thanks.

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