A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECT
“SAVE THE TIGER”
Tiger facts & future
We have lost 97% of our wild tigers in just over a century. With as few as 3,200 remaining, action is needed to increase and strengthen their habitat and protect the species from major threats such as poaching.
Tiger population
at a tipping point
If the wild tiger population continues to decline at the current rate, recovery may not be possible. The tiger population is at its lowest level ever, with possibly as few as 3,200 remaining in the wild.
Threats to tigers
Hunted for their pelt and bones and losing their habitat and prey, tiger populations are threatened throughout their range. In many places, they struggle for survival with burgeoning human populations competing for similar resources.
For over 1,000 years, tigers have been hunted as status symbols, decorative items such as wall and floor coverings, as souvenirs and curios, and for use in traditional Asian medicines.
Hunting for sport probably caused the greatest decline in tiger populations up until the 1930s. In many areas tigers were also regarded as a pest that needed to be exterminated.
Between 1940 and the late 1980s, the greatest threat was loss of habitat due to human population expansion and activities such as logging.
In the early 1990s, the trade in tiger bone for traditional medicines became a major threat.
Hunting for sport probably caused the greatest decline in tiger populations up until the 1930s. In many areas tigers were also regarded as a pest that needed to be exterminated.
Between 1940 and the late 1980s, the greatest threat was loss of habitat due to human population expansion and activities such as logging.
In the early 1990s, the trade in tiger bone for traditional medicines became a major threat.
What if tigers did become extinct?
· Upsetting the ecological balance
When you remove one element from a fragile ecosystem, it has far reaching and long lasting effects on biodiversity. This impacts on local communities, habitats and other species which share the tiger's home.
The tiger is at the top of the food chain in all the ecosystems it lives in. As such, it keeps populations of deer, wild pig, antelope and gaur in check. Without the tiger to control them these prey species would expand.
This excessive population would then totally ravage its food source - vegetation. If the vegetation in the jungles was devastated, smaller animals and insects would not survive there.
If the insects moved to the crops in farmlands vital food sources could be lost, impacting on human populations.
If plants can no longer grow in the jungle the soil will become infertile and eventually the jungle - and all that depend on it - will fade away.
Other consequences include:
The tiger is at the top of the food chain in all the ecosystems it lives in. As such, it keeps populations of deer, wild pig, antelope and gaur in check. Without the tiger to control them these prey species would expand.
This excessive population would then totally ravage its food source - vegetation. If the vegetation in the jungles was devastated, smaller animals and insects would not survive there.
If the insects moved to the crops in farmlands vital food sources could be lost, impacting on human populations.
If plants can no longer grow in the jungle the soil will become infertile and eventually the jungle - and all that depend on it - will fade away.
Other consequences include:
§ Negative impacts for human welfare and economic development. Communities in Asia depend on the same clean water, clean air, natural flood controls and other forest resources that tigers need. Without the protection for tigers these ecological services are at risk.
§ Loss of ecotourism opportunities. Local communities are working with governments and NGOs to develop ecotourism opportunities based around tigers. Without the tigers these burgeoning business opportunities will fail.
§
§ Coextinction of other species. If one species in a food chain becomes extinct there is a knock-on effect on other species. The loss of a main predator can actually cause the extinction of a prey species as greater competition presents a threat to a species.
§ Another species to be exploited? When the Bali and Javan tigers became extinct in the 20th century, poachers turned their attention to the Sumatran tiger. Which animal will be exploited into extinction once all the tigers are gone?
§ Climate change. If tigers were to go, the forests which are currently protected as key habitat would be more likely to fall victim to illegal logging, conversion to agriculture and development. This leads to greater CO2 emissions and climate change. Deforestation currently accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
§ The tiger has evolved over thousands of years.
Now this big cat is being trapped, skinned, and pushed out of its home. And yet it clings to survival, barely, in a few patches of forest scattered acrossAsia .
That's enough of a reason to give this species a fighting chance to make it into the next decade.
Now this big cat is being trapped, skinned, and pushed out of its home. And yet it clings to survival, barely, in a few patches of forest scattered across
That's enough of a reason to give this species a fighting chance to make it into the next decade.
And we would have to take the blame.....
Mankind would have to make a big apology to future generations which would never get the chance to see the biggest of all cats, one of the most majestic, beautiful, amazing creatures ever to walk the Earth.
Extinction is permanent, and it is the failings of modern man - habitat destruction, hunting and poaching - which have driven tigers into extinction.
Extinction is permanent, and it is the failings of modern man - habitat destruction, hunting and poaching - which have driven tigers into extinction.
This is clearly an emergency: if nothing is done, tigers will disappear from the wild within the next decade.
The good news is that we can save the tiger.
We know what needs to be done, we know it will work... and what is more, tiger range countries, the World Bank and major NGOs have come together to achieve this!
We know what needs to be done, we know it will work... and what is more, tiger range countries, the World Bank and major NGOs have come together to achieve this!
The big cats are prolific breeders, given enough space, prey and protection, tigers can
recover and remain the lord of the jungle.
How you can help
No matter where you live, no matter how small your actions are, we ALL have a part to play in saving the tiger – and our planet as a whole.
Here are some simple things you can do to help ensure our children and grandchildren live in a world where tigers still roam freely in the wild.
Here are some simple things you can do to help ensure our children and grandchildren live in a world where tigers still roam freely in the wild.
Donate to our “ SAVE THE TIGER” project
We are raising emergency funds for anti-poaching patrols – the most important thing we can do in the short-term to save tigers.
Poaching of tigers is driven by continued demand for tiger parts – like bones for Traditional Chinese Medicine and skins for clothes.
If you buy such items, you are directly helping to exterminate the last of the wild tigers.
Buy forest-friendly productsIf you buy such items, you are directly helping to exterminate the last of the wild tigers.
After poaching, the biggest threat to tigers is the destruction of their forest home – mainly due to illegal logging and conversion to agriculture, particularly commercial oil palm plantations.
You can help stop this habitat loss by buying products from sustainable forestry and agriculture operations.
So when you're out shopping, look for:
You can help stop this habitat loss by buying products from sustainable forestry and agriculture operations.
So when you're out shopping, look for:
§ Products made from certified sustainable palm oil
If you can't find any, ask your supermarket or shop why they are not stocking any ... and not helping tigers, and many other animals, to survive.
If you can't find any, ask your supermarket or shop why they are not stocking any ... and not helping tigers, and many other animals, to survive.
§ Sustainable coffee
Illegally grown coffee inSumatra is driving the destruction of tiger habitat (report - PDF). Watch where your coffee comes from – and choose coffee grown according to environmentally friendly principles.
Illegally grown coffee in
Look for credible ecolabels
For example, the Forest Stewardship Council label ensures that paper and wood products come from well- managed forests.
Spread the word
§ The more people realize what simple steps can be taken to save the tiger, the more success we will have.
So go on, get your friends, your family, and your workmates to help too!
So go on, get your friends, your family, and your workmates to help too!
ACT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
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