Strong, powerful and uniquely beautiful, tigers are one of the most admired creatures in the world. They feature in songs, story books and plays, with The Tiger Who Came To Tea on stage being one of the most popular options for anyone looking for family fun things to do.

Tigers have been on our planet for about two million years. But sadly their numbers are decreasing due to poaching, loss of habitat and more. Let’s take a closer look at how many tigers are left in the wild and what’s being done to boost struggling tiger populations. 

Tigers in the Wild 

Things haven’t been looking good for tigers across the world for about a century. Wild tigers were becoming somewhat of a rarity, but things have started to change in recent years. According to the Global Tiger Forum, there are currently around 5,574 tigers left in the wild, with tiger populations being stable or increasing in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and China. Sadly, tiger numbers are still decreasing in much of Southeast Asia. 

The Story of the Bengal Tiger

In 1900, there were about 100,000 Bengal tigers living in India, but due to poaching and habitat loss, this had dramatically dropped to 1827 by 1972. The good news is, endangered Bengal tiger numbers in India have risen to a record high since, with over 3,100 tigers now in the country. The recovery of the Bengal tiger population is one of the most successful wildlife conservation stories in the world, made possible by the Indian government’s Project Tiger campaign and the support of conservation charities such as ZSL.

Critically Endangered Species

Although still considered endangered, the Bengal tiger is now the most numerous tiger in the wild. Both the Amur and Sumatran tigers’ numbers stand at around 400, making them Critically Endangered. The Indochinese tiger is one of the rarest, with only around 250 individuals surviving in the wild. Historically, Indochinese tigers lived in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Breeding populations are believed to only remain in Myanmar and Thailand.

Why are Tigers Poached?

Poaching is the number one threat to tiger populations. They are hunted by packers to meet demand from the illegal wildlife trade which is worth $20 billion a year. These majestic creatures are hunted for their body parts, including their skin, bones, teeth and organs. Tiger parts sold on the black market are often used for traditional medicines, while tiger skins are used for decor and status symbols.

Today, celebrating the tiger as a living treasure is vital. So if you’re looking for family days out that will spark the imagination of your little ones and help them learn about these beautiful big cats, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came To Tea. The stage show is suitable for children aged three and above and is based on the popular storybook by Judith Kerr. Family fun days out don’t get much better, so book your tickets today.