It is estimated that there are less than 8000 wild tigers left on earth today - nothing less than a global tragedy when one considers that there were over 100,000 at the beginning of the century. They are disappearing due to habitat loss as the world's ever increasing poplulation spills into their territory. Poaching to supply the black market with tiger furs and body parts to be used in traditional Chinese medicine is also a tremendous threat to these beautiful animals. Zoos and other conservation organizations have mounted huge efforts to save the tiger in the wild as well as maintain genetic diversity in the captive population. The good news is that these programs seem to be meeting some success. The Tiger Information Center is an excellent source of information on the 5 different tiger subspecies still living, habitat, and conservation and research projects. It also has alot of great pictures.
           
          Tiger! Tiger! burning bright 
          In the forests of the night, 
          What immortal hand or eye 
          Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 

          In what distant deeps or skies 
          Burnt the fire of thine eyes? 
          On what wings dare he aspire? 
          What the hand dare seize the fire? 

          And what shoulder and what art 
          Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 
          And, when thy heart began to beat, 
          What dread hand and what dread feet? 

          What the hammer? What the chain? 
          In what furnace was thy brain? 
          What the anvil? What dread grasp 
          Dare its deadly terrors clasp? 

          When the stars threw down their spears, 
          And water'd heaven with their tears, 
          Did He smile His work to see? 
          Did He who made the lamb make thee? 

          Tiger, Tiger, burning bright 
          In the forests of the night, 
          What immortal hand or eye 
          Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 
                      --William Blake


           
           
           
           
           

           

           Tiger Information Center

            Exxon's Tiger Conservation Page

            Nat'l Fish & Wildlife Save the Tiger Fund

            Vanishing Footprints

            World Wildlife Federation

            Tiger Books


         
          You can help save the the tigers.
          Last updated 23.11.2004