Tiger  (Panthera tigris)

One of the largest of the 'big cats', the tiger is an instantly recognisable and emotive animal. Nine different subspecies are recognised, three of which became extinct in the latter part of the 20th Century; the Bali (P. t. balica), Javan (P. t. sondaica) and Caspian tigers (P. t. virgata). The remaining subspecies are the Siberian (P. t. altaica), South China (P. t. amoyensis), Sumatran (P. t. sumatrae), Indochinese (P. t. corbetti), Malayan (P. t. jacksoni)and Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) (3) (10). The different subspecies vary in their body size, coat colour and markings, with the Sumatran tiger being the smallest and darkest, whilst the Siberian tiger is the largest and palest subspecies (4). Markings and coat colour can overlap between subspecies and are not often used to differentiate (10). Generally however, tigers have a reddish-orange to yellow-ochre coat with a white belly and black markings, the pattern of which is unique (2). Like the other big cats, tigers are well adapted for hunting large prey and have short, heavily-muscled forelimbs and long, sharp, retractable claws (2). Extreme colour varieties are occasionally seen in the wild, such as whitish-grey tigers with chocolate stripes which are the result of two tigers with a recessive gene breeding (2). However, whilst this colour variation is popular with zoos, it is not of conservation significance (2).

Tigers were once known throughout central and southern Asia and as far west as eastern Turkey but currently survive only in scattered populations from India to Southeast Asia, and in Sumatra, China and the Russian Far East (3).

Varies widely across its range from tropical forests to tall grass jungles, encompassing coniferous woodlands, mangrove swamps and dry thorn forests. In general however, tigers require dense cover, access to water and sufficient large prey (3).

Tigers are predominately solitary creatures, they occupy territories that are defended against intruders of the same sex and are marked with urine and scrapes at the boundaries (2). Males have larger territories that overlap those of several females, with whom they mate (2). Mating occurs throughout the year and the female gives birth to a litter of around two to three cubs after a four month gestation period (3). 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 (2).

Tigers are 'stalk and ambush' predators and their stripy coat provides effective camouflage in tall grass and forest (2). Hunting mainly occurs at night and the principal prey consists of deer and wild pigs, although tigers prey on a variety of other animals and will also eat carrion (3). Unlike other species of cats, tigers are competent swimmers; they will readily enter the water, and can be found lying half-submerged in streams and lakes in the mid-day heat (3).

Human activities are the principal cause of declining tiger numbers. Hunting was a major cause of mortality in the past; both for trophies and as part of organised pest control measures (3). Poaching and illegal killing, for example by livestock owners, today remains one of the major threats to the survival of the species, particularly with the growing demand for tiger bones in Oriental ‘medicine' (5). The demand for remedies made from tiger parts has increased due to increasing affluence in Asia, and laws preventing international trade in tiger parts are largely ignored. Hong Kong is the main importer of tiger products, with tiger bone the most used part. The bones are crushed to be used in anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatism and arthritis, amongst many other uses. The trade in tiger skins is also increasing (11). Habitat loss has occurred through much of the tiger's range and also threatens survival; as land becomes rapidly developed to meet the increasing demand of the Asian population explosion (3), tiger populations become isolated in remaining fragments of wilderness and ultimately die out (2). The tiger's natural prey species have declined in numbers due to over-hunting, leading individuals to turn to domestic livestock, which inevitably causes conflict with local farmers (3).

The tiger is classified as Endangered by the IUCN (the World Conservation Union), and of the six surviving subspecies the futures of the South China tiger and the Siberian tiger seem particularly bleak. Recent extensive surveys resulted in no sightings (10). India has the greatest number of tigers but even the Bengal tiger population is estimated at no more than 3,000 to 3,500 individuals (3). TRAFFIC (the trade monitoring arm of the WWF and IUCN) monitors the level of international trade of tiger products and brings it to the attention of the relevant authorities (6). The Indian government established Project Tiger in 1973 (7) with the aim of conserving the tiger population. Within India there are currently 21 tiger reserves, although, these are increasingly threatened by human pressures on the land (3). The key to the survival of the tiger is the maintenance of large tracts of contiguous habitat, but protection of this species is complicated by its man-eater reputation and by the threat posed to livestock (2). The involvement and commitment of local people will be vital for the future sustainability of this most regal of cats.

For more information on the tiger see:

• IUCN Cat Specialist Group:
  www.catsg.org
• WWF's ‘Extinct' campaign: Bengal tiger:
  http://extinct.wwf.org.uk/species/tiger.htm

Authenticated by Peter Jackson, Chair, IUCN Cat Specialist Group.
http://www.catsg.org