Tigers are among the most captivating creatures on Earth—fierce, majestic, and shrouded in mystery. International Tiger Day, observed every July 29, is a time to honor these iconic big cats and renew efforts to protect them from extinction. With only around 5,570 wild tigers left in the world, their survival depends on global conservation efforts and local action alike.

Tigers are native to various parts of Asia, with different subspecies roaming regions from the snowy forests of Siberia to the dense mangroves of the Sundarbans and the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia. India is home to the largest population of wild tigers, but they can also be found in smaller numbers in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Each tiger has a unique stripe pattern, much like a human fingerprint, and they are known to be solitary animals, often roaming large territories in search of food.

While their beauty and power have made them cultural symbols for centuries, tigers face severe threats including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal poaching for body parts used in traditional medicine. In the last century alone, tiger populations have plummeted by over 90%. But there’s still hope, the numbers are starting to rise—and institutions like the Houston Zoo are playing a role in that hope.

The Houston Zoo supports tiger conservation both within its gates and across the globe. At the Zoo, visitors can see the Malayan tiger, Berani. Berani is a critically endangered subspecies, and you can learn about the threats they face in the wild. Beyond education, the zoo directly supports field conservation efforts in Malaysia through partnerships that provide training and equipment to anti-poaching patrols and help protect crucial tiger habitats. By connecting people to wildlife and supporting conservation on the ground, the Houston Zoo is helping to ensure a future for tigers.

If you’re inspired to do your part, there are several ways to help. One of the simplest yet most impactful actions is to support organizations working on tiger conservation, including the Houston Zoo, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society and Panthera. Reducing your paper and palm oil consumption can also make a difference—deforestation for logging and palm plantations is a major cause of tiger habitat loss. Look for sustainably sourced products, especially those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Visiting accredited zoos that prioritize conservation, spreading awareness, and even adopting a tiger symbolically through conservation groups are other ways to contribute. Every effort counts, and together, we can ensure that the roar of the tiger continues to echo through the wild for generations to come.

References:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger

https://www.wcs.org/our-work

https://panthera.org/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sunda-tiger#:~:text=Habitat%20Loss,breeding%2C%20feeding%2C%20and%20dispersing.