Tigers are one of the world’s most majestic creatures, but also one of the most endangered. Shockingly, there are around 5,574 (World Animal Foundation) remaining in the wildSome are also kept as pets or in ‘roadside zoos’.
The myth of ‘man-eating tigers’ arises from occasional attacks (around 50 a year), usually by hungry tigers, due to humans encroaching on their natural habitats (nearly all tigers who attack humans do so due to disabilities like bad teeth, we are not their natural diet). Most attacks are by bored and stressed captive tigers in zoos and circuses.
Most big cats are endangered due to lack of habitat, palm oil and trophy hunting (people pay thousands to kill animals in enclosed habitats where they can’t escape). Not just Americans, British hunters have killed over 60 lions since Cecil, yet the import ban is being debated). Ornithologist Hamza Yassin says ‘If hunting is a sport, let the animal have a rifle as well, and let it fire back at you’.
There are over 40 big cats worldwide (along with our own domestic moggies). All are risk of extinction including snow leopards, lions (inventions like Lion Lights are helping farmers and lions to peacefully co-exist, jaguars, cheetahs and wildcats).
Freedom for Animals has a great post on why not to visit zoos (average 20-second views by children are for entertainment, not education). Endangered species are far better helped in natural environments with proper space, weather and conservation experts.
Interviews with Creatures Around the World!
Interview with a Tiger (and other clawed beasts) is a fun book that gets up close with 10 fierce and furry beasts (including tigers) as they step up to the mic, and share their habits, behaviour, likes/dislikes, favourite foods and more.
It also features ‘interviews’ with a wolf, honey badger, giant armadillo, lion, giant anteater, jaguar, snow leopard, polar bear and three-toed sloth. Plus tips on how to help endangered species.
Organic Clothing to Support Tiger Conservation
- Rapanui offers a beautiful organic cotton t-shirt to support work conserving tigers.
- Save Wild Tigers is a nonprofit that supports organisations that investigate criminal networks that sell tiger skins and other goods. All t-shirts, tops and jumpers are made from organic cotton, made in a factory powered by green energy, sent in plastic-free packaging.
- ROAR organic cotton clothing supports WildCats Conservation Alliance, which helps wild tigers and Amur leopards. It currently funds projects in Nepal, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia and China.
Books to Teach Children about Tigers
Tiger: The Big Cat With the Stripes is a beautifully illustrated guide, for children to learn why tigers have stripes, what makes them stick out their tongues, and how they survive. includes a serious message on how to help, written by a wildlife conservationist who works with local communities in Nepal, to study and protect tigers. She is also a science communicator who founded Project Conservation.
The Tiger’s Tale is a conservation story on one of the world’s most iconic animals, to tell the true story of the tragic disappearance of tigers from Panna Tiger Reserve in India, and finally their heroic return.
Interview with a Tiger (and other clawed beasts) is a fun book that gets up close with 10 fierce and furry beasts (including tigers) as they step up to the mic, and share their habits, behaviour, likes/dislikes, favourite foods and more. It also features ‘interviews’ with a wolf, honey badger, giant armadillo, lion, giant anteater, jaguar, snow leopard, polar bear and three-toed sloth. Plus tips on how to help endangered species.
How to Talk to a Tiger looks at how animals communicate in the world. Also discover deer that sneeze to say hello and bees that waggle their tummies to show where the pollen is!