What is a tiger? Tigers are felids (members of the cat family). They are in the genus Panthera.

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2 CONTENTS Page What is a tiger?... 3 Tiger Distribution... 4 Tiger Habitat... 5 Key Tiger Facts... 6 Threats to Tigers... 7 Tiger Conservation... 8 Why Conserve Tigers?... 9 Tiger Activity Sheets Fundraising to save wild tigers... 14

3 What is a tiger? Tigers are felids (members of the cat family). They are in the genus Panthera. There is only one species of tiger: Panthera tigris. There are six subspecies: Indian (Bengal) tiger Panthera tigris tigris Amur (Siberian) tiger Panthera tigris altaica Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti Malayan tiger Panthera tigris jacksoni Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae South China tiger Panthera tigris amoyensis Three further tiger subspecies are now extinct: Caspian tiger Panthera tigris virgata Javan tiger Panthera tigris sondaica Balinese tiger Panthera tigris balica Tigers are mammals. They give birth to live young. Newborn cubs are fed with their mother s milk. Gestation (pregnancy) lasts about 13 to 15 weeks. The average litter size is 2 to 3 cubs, but can range from 1 to 8. The cubs weigh between 1 and 2kg at birth. Their eyes are closed to prevent them straying. Their markings are already visible. 3

4 Tiger Distribution Tigers used to be found throughout Asia. Although they are still found in several countries including India, Bangladesh, Sumatra and Russia they have completely disappeared from most of the continent. This map shows where tigers used to live (their historic range) and where they are found now (their present range). Map courtesy of Save the Tiger Fund 4

5 Tiger Habitat Tigers can live in a variety of habitats. These include tropical and temperate forest, mangrove, grassland with trees and marshland. Tigers are ambush hunters. Their stripes help them to hide among the trees and other plants by breaking up their outline (called disruptive camouflage) when they are stalking their prey. Tigers territories range from about 10km2 to more than 400km2, depending on how much prey they contain. Tigers mark their territories with scent and with scratches on trees. 5

6 Tiger Facts KEY FACTS Length: up to 3m including tail Weight: up to 300kg Life Expectancy: up to 15 years in the wild Diet: Carnivorous - wide range of animals, mainly large mammals such a deer. 6

7 Threats to tigers 100 years ago there were about 100,000 wild tigers. Now there are fewer than 4,000. There are three main problems that affect wild tiger populations. HUNTING Tigers are mainly hunted for their body parts. Bones and other parts of the body are used in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. Villagers sometimes kill a tiger in revenge if it has killed a farmer s animals or if it has killed a person. HABITAT LOSS The forests where tigers live are disappearing fast. Forests are cleared for farming and for building. The distances between forest areas are increasing, making it difficult for tigers to migrate to new territories. PREY DEPLETION Tigers are predators. They catch and eat deer and other animals. Because they are so big, tigers eat a lot of meat. But in some areas prey species are becoming fewer in number because of habitat loss and poaching. 7

8 Tiger Conservation The Isle of Wight Zoo funds a tiger conservation project in India that is helping to protect wild tigers in their natural habitat. India s mountainous Western Ghats region is a priority area for tiger conservation. We are proud to fund the work of local conservationist D.V. Girish, who is building support for tiger conservation among the local people of Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Tiger Reserve. The aims of the project: To reduce human-wildlife conflict; To reduce local hostility toward wildlife conservation; To build support for Bhadra Tiger Reserve and Kudremukh National Parks; To develop a local intelligence network to support state s anti-poaching efforts. Girish and his team work with local communities to protect the tigers and other wildlife from poachers and to prevent illegal activities that could damage the forest. D. V. Girish (seated) with forester and watcher, mapping the boundary of Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Bhadra camera trap photos courtesy of Dr Ullas Karanth, Wildlife Conservation Society. 8

9 Why conserve tigers? There are many reasons why the world would be a poorer place if tigers were to disappear. Here are just a few. Can you think of others? Without tigers......many local communities would lose their income. Tourists come to see tigers and the money they spend boosts the local economy....the forests would disappear. Forests where tigers live receive a much higher level of protection from logging and other damaging activities....the deer population could grow out of control. Overgrazing would then damage the forest....it would be harder to inspire people to protect wildlife. Many conservation organisations use the tiger as a flagship species, to motivate people to take action....future generations would be denied the opportunity to appreciate firsthand the beauty and power of the tiger. Would they condemn us for letting this wonderful animal slip away forever?...society may feel that conservation efforts are futile and just give up. After all, if we can t save something as charismatic as a tiger what hope is there for the rest of biodiversity? 9

10 Name: Tigers Every tiger has a unique stripe pattern. Look carefully at a picture of a tiger or, better still, at one of the tigers in the zoo. Try to copy his or her pattern on to the outline below. Why do tigers need stripes? What type of habitat do wild tigers live in? What colours can you see in the tiger s hair? There are no white tigers in the wild. Why do you think this is? 10

11 Name: Tigers Tigers are very well adapted for living in their habitat and for their predator lifestyle. They are expert hunters. Top Tip! What do wild tigers eat? Look for information on the signs and talk to the zoo staff! Describe how a wild tiger catches its prey. Like most cats, tigers have retractable claws. But what does that mean? What do you think tigers use their claws for? EYESIGHT Tigers have excellent night vision. Look carefully at a tiger s eye. Draw it as accurately as you can. (If the tigers are fast asleep look at the photos on the signs.) Tigers have canine teeth to kill their prey, carnassial teeth to slice through the meat and incisors to nibble through the skin. How many teeth does an adult tiger have? 11

12 Name: Tigers Tigers are an endangered species. What does endangered mean? Approximately how many wild tigers were there 100 years ago? How many are left in the wild now? Why are there so few wild tigers now? What has been happening? The Isle of Wight Zoo funds a tiger conservation project to save wild tigers in their natural habitat. What country is the project in? Three sub-species of tiger are already extinct. Can you name them? How would you feel if all tigers became extinct? 12

13 Name: Tigers Tigers feature in many stories and poems. List any stories or poems that you can find that include a tiger. Write down as many powerful words that you can think of that describe a tiger. What does it look like? How does it move? What does it do? How do you feel when you see one? 13

14 Tiger, tiger, burning bright There are now fewer than 4000 wild tigers left in the forests of Asia. Please HELP US to keep the flame alight. The Isle of Wight Zoo funds an award-winning* project that works with local people to protect the forest and the tigers in Karnataka, India. Would you consider undertaking some fund-raising in aid of this vital project? Every penny counts! For more information please contact Education and Conservation Manager Tracy Dove on: or (Extension 4) * The IOW Zoo won the Best Conservation Project award from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) for this tiger conservation project in