After a century of decline, overall wild tiger numbers
Tigers
After a century of decline, overall wild tiger numbers are starting to tick upward. Based on the best available information,
tiger populations are stable or increasing in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and China.
An estimated 3,900 tigers remain in the wild, but much more work is needed to protect this species if we are to secure its future in the wild.
In some areas, including much of Southeast Asia, tigers are still in crisis and declining in number.
*New Subspecies Classifications Since 2017, IUCN has recognized two tiger subspecies, commonly referred to as the continental tiger and the Sunda island tiger.
All remaining island tigers are found only in Sumatra, with tigers in Java and Bali now extinct.
These are popularly known as Sumatran tigers.
The continental tigers currently include the Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese and Amur (Siberian) tiger populations,
while the Caspian tiger is extinct in the wild. The South China tiger is believed to be functionally extinct.
Tigers are the largest felines in the world and as such, many cultures consider the tiger to be a symbol of strength,
courage and dignity.
The tiger is one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, and those born in the “Year of the Tiger” are thought to be brave,
competitive and self-confident.