Tigers Close to Extinction

by Rebecca Quimby (Subscribe to Rebecca Quimby's posts): Nov 13th 2009 @ 9:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets

According to wildlife experts, tigers in the wild could become extinct in two decades. As shocking as it is, native tiger populations could be in big trouble if something isn't done soon.

While 100,000 tigers roamed in the wild in Asia and Russia 100 years ago, today there are only 3,500. Interpol reports that the illegal wildlife trade is worth more than $20 billion a year, with people killing tigers for their body parts and selling skins on the black market. Destruction of the animals' habitat has also been a factor in their dwindling numbers.

Save the Tiger Fund's Mahendra Shrestha told Reuters that a "business as usual approach in tiger conservation will doom the tiger population in the next 15 to 20 years." According to the organization's Web site, "Tigers need extensive, intact landscapes and to act as an umbrella species - by saving tigers you save other plants and animals that share their range."

For more on what you can do to help these beautiful animals, visit savethetigerfund.org.

Tags: extinction, Tigers

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

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#1 taylor 11-14-2009 @ 12:49PM

I feel so bad for those tigers because they are so pretty and look at that little cub!!!! some peeps just don't care :(

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#2 Samantha 11-14-2009 @ 1:50PM

TIGERS R MY FAVORITE ANIMALS OF ALL TIME I CANT BELIEVE PPL R HUNTING DEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!