The tiger is the largest cat species in the world. With their majestic stripes and beautiful eyes, tigers are among the most charming creatures on the planet. Unfortunately, hunting and deforestation have caused the tiger population to drop to a very low number, with around 3,200 remaining in the wild. There are many organizations that are fighting to save this beautiful animal. Scroll down to Step 1 to find out how you can get involved in helping save tigers.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Money Wisely
Step 1. Donate money to a tiger research fund
The easiest way to join a tiger rescue effort is to donate your money to one (or several) specialized wildlife rescue organizations. The sheer number of organizations available means it's important to be careful in choosing which ones are really eligible for donations - unfortunately, there are plenty of scams that take advantage of the plight of tigers. Here are some of the more well-known organizations that have their own tiger programs:
- Panthera (United with the Save the Tigers Fund)
- World Wildlife Fund
- Smithsonian Tiger Conservation Fund
- International Fund for Animal Welfare
- Big Cat Rescue
Step 2. Adopt a tiger
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) runs a tiger "adoption" program. You can fund tigers and the work WWF does to help tigers in the wild for a monthly fee. In addition to knowing that you're helping this particular animal, you'll also receive a photo and card information of the tiger you saved along with several other items, including your stuffed tiger animal. Your money will be used to create a tiger reserve, create protection from poachers, and other WWF conservation work.
Step 3. Buy products from sustainable companies
One of the main reasons tigers are threatened with extinction is because their homes are constantly being destroyed. Illegal logging and forest clearing destroy tiger habitats and leave them refugees without adequate food or land to defend themselves. One way you can do this is to buy goods from companies that only implement sustainable practices. Buy 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Look for paper and wood products that are approved by the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC's goal is to improve forest practices (which will end deforestation) around the world.
Step 4. Buy sustainable coffee
One of the main causes of deforestation is the coffee business. When you buy coffee, look for sustainable brands - meaning coffee companies that do not condone deforestation. Sustainable coffee brands are certified on the box by an independent certification body, such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ Certified.
Step 5. Don't buy tiger products
Hunting is the number one threat to tigers. Poachers hunt these animals illegally - so many poachers that there are now only about 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Do not buy tiger products, either in your own country or while traveling abroad. Do not buy traditional medicines made from tiger parts, such as tiger bones. Traditional Chinese medicine calls for the use of tiger bone material, and even today there are many chemists who still use this material, even though it is illegal and is one of the main reasons why tigers are threatened with extinction.
You can sign a pledge online stating that you will not buy tiger products
Method 2 of 2: Taking Action
Step 1. Join a volunteer or internship at a tiger sanctuary
There are many asylums and reserves accepting volunteers and interns around the world. Volunteers help to maintain the area, observe animals, and perform a variety of other jobs and tasks. In some places volunteers will lead tours of the area and talk about tigers with visitors. Search the internet for 'volunteer at a tiger sanctuary', and see the available options.
Some of the most prominent asylums that accept volunteers include the National Tiger Sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue, and through the GoEco program
Step 2. Visit the tiger reserve
The tiger reserve - the vast land where tigers are born dedicated to them - relies on tourism revenues to help pay for some of the costs. Tourism also flows money into the reserve area, which in turn will inspire support for the reserve in the local community. Of course, visiting a tiger reserve means flying to places like India or Nepal. If you can get there, while you are there join a tour operated by the state park service. Do some research on these tour companies before you fly to visit a tiger reserve or national park.
Step 3. Attend a fundraising event
Many organizations hold fundraising events to help raise both support and money for their efforts to protect tigers and other wildlife. You can participate in, or even help run this activity in your area. Look online for what activities are in your area.
Step 4. Support laws regarding tiger health and survival
If you live in the United States, write a statement to your U. S. Representative and seek his or her support for the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (H. R. 1998/S. 1381). You can also send letters online - all you have to do is fill in specific information. You can find a draft of this letter here. Organizations dedicated to the lawful preservation and care of "big cats" have asked Congress to pass the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (H. R. 1998/S. 1381). This law regulates:
- Amendments to the Captive Wildlife Safety Act that are effective in ending the private breeding of big cats such as tigers (as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, etc.). It is estimated that more than 10,000 big cats are bred in poor conditions across the United States - at one private zoo alone, 23 tiger cubs died in 2013 due to appalling living conditions.
- Punishment for violators of the law. If someone abuses or treats an animal badly, the Law will punish him with a fine of up to IDR 240 million and a prison sentence of up to five years, during which time the animal will be confiscated and rehabilitated.
Step 5. Limit your zoo visits to zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
The zoos that participate in the AZA Species Survival Plan are also worth visiting. There are currently 223 zoos and aquariums worldwide that meet the stringent AZA requirements. The zoo keeps animals including tigers in excellent living conditions, and does what they can to support the healthy breeding of endangered animals. For a list of accredited zoos and aquariums that you can visit or donate to, visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums website.
This accredited zoo is not the only place that takes good care of animals. You can also visit nature reserves that do not allow visitors to handle animals and do not participate in captivity. There are also rehabilitation centers and wildlife institutions that work to raise wild animals, and several traveling circuses that meet all requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. To find out more about the status of the zoo or wildlife in the area you want to visit, search the internet for the institution
Step 6. Sign the petition to save 30 Hills
The 30 Hills, known as Bukit Tiga Puluh in the native Indonesian language, is a very special area of Sumatra - one of the last remaining places in the world for tigers, elephants and orangutans to coexist. Currently this place is under threat of deforestation - ie irreversible actions that will threaten the animal population of the area. The petition asks the Indonesian government to lease the area to a conservation organization. To sign the petition, click here.
Step 7. Find out the latest information
The best way to stay up-to-date on efforts being made to help save tigers is to sign up for the newsletters (aka newsletters) of wildlife protection organizations, particularly tigers. Most organizations have a monthly e-newsletter that you can receive by email, so you can stay up-to-date with new challenges you face, steps you take, and victories you've achieved.
Step 8. Spread awareness through social media
Encourage others to support tiger rescue efforts. Social media is a very useful tool for this - post links to interesting articles about the plight of tigers, spread the word about petitions that your friends and family can register, and follow your favorite tiger organizations on Facebook, Twitter or any social network.
Tips
- Teach your children about the importance of protecting wildlife, including tigers.
- If possible, you can apply for a job in your organization to make more changes in the tiger's life.
