A hundred years ago there were 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today there are as few as 3,200. Why are tigers disappearing?
Illegal Trade — Poaching to feed consumer demand for tiger body parts, mostly for use in traditional Asian medicines and folk remedies.
Deforestation — As more and more forests are cleared for paper and palm oil, tiger habitat disappears daily.
Save Tigers Now is a global campaign by World Wildlife Fund and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their goal is to build political, financial, and public support to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger.
There is hope… Tigers can breed quickly and successfully if we provide them with protected habitat and ample prey.
How To Help:
Donate now. Your support will help WWF save tigers across their habitat—from India and Indonesia all the way to the Russian Far East. WWF will focus its activities on anti-poaching efforts in critical tiger sites, and will build political will in tiger range countries to protect and connect tiger habitats on a massive scale, and clamp down on tiger trade. Please visit www.savetigersnow.org for more information and to donate.
Take control of your purchasing power. Forest clearing for illegal logging and agricultural cash crops destroys tiger habitat and is a major threat to the survival of tigers. Support companies that are implementing sustainable practices by purchasing 100% post-consumer recycled paper, FSC-certified wood, and paper products; and sustainable coffee — look for the label of a recognized independent certifier like the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, UTZ Certified, and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Bird Friendly.
Say no to tiger products. Avoid buying endangered wildlife products at home or when on vacation. Poaching is the largest threat to tigers in the wild. Tiger parts are used for traditional Asian medicine, clothing, and folk remedies. Learn more about wildlife trade and how it affects tigers and many other endangered species.
Travel to tiger country. Income from tourism at tiger reserves can be critical to building support among local communities for tiger protection. There is never a guarantee that travelers will see a tiger in the wild, but among the best places to try are India and Nepal’s tiger reserves and national parks. Look for tour operators who focus on nature travel, take travelers in small groups with expert local guides, and are authorized by the park service of the country.
Support an end to the tiger trade. Join the End Tiger Trade Facebook page. The page is run by the International Tiger Coalition, an alliance of 38 organizations that speaks with one voice in calling for an end to trade in tiger parts and products.
Spread Awareness.
- Become a fan on Facebook and share WWF’s page with your friends.
- Follow WWF on Twitter @World_Wildlife and join the discussion about tigers by using #savetigersnow.
- Download tiger e-cards and wallpaper and share them with your friends and family. Remind them that tigers are in danger of extinction and that it is important to raise awareness about tiger conservation.
