It used to be sport to go hunting a tiger. Now it's all about land and money. As human populations grow, the tiger has less room to roam, to hunt and find a mate to breed with. The land is wanted for farming, building and industry.
Plus a tiger's beautiful skin will fetch a good price, while its bones and body parts can be sold to be used in traditional Chinese medicine. It's illegal, but it still goes on at a great pace.
When tigers come into conflict with humans, the winner is the one with the gun.
Up to 50% of cubs don't make it.
With the protection of their mother the cubs have little to fear.
But she can't be there all the time - and the harder it is for her to find prey, the longer she's away, and the greater the risk to the cubs.
And if their mother falls prey to poachers, or can't find enough food, the cubs are doomed.
Tigers have plenty of enemies. What they need most are friends - like you?
Some of the threats the tiger faces.
The tiger is highly endangered. There are thought to be as few as 3,200 left.
- Tigers are killed by poachers for their skins
- They're also killed to supply bones and body parts for traditional Chinese medicine
- Their prey is poached for food
- And the biggest threat of all is human population growth. It leads to direct conflict with humans, which the tigers always lose in the end.
Last minute gift?
No problem! If you are worried the adoption pack might not arrive in time, you will be able to print or email a gift certificate to give on the day.
Adopt a tiger, and this is how you'll help:
- The tiger we'd like to you to adopt is called Kamrita, a mature female living in south west Nepal
- We'll send you a picture and information about her and all the work we're doing to protect her
- You'll help create reserves where tigers can roam undisturbed, and not come into conflict with humans
- You'll help set up protection from poachers
- Updates on tigers along with exclusive adopters' magazine Wild World, mailed three times a year
- And we'll also send you a cuddly, soft, toy tiger - much safer to stroke than the real thing!
- Your support will also help fund other essential WWF conservation work around the world.
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