History of Tiger in Timeline

The tiger is a large, powerful cat native to Asia, belonging to the genus Panthera. It is characterized by its orange fur with black, mostly vertical stripes, a muscular build, large head and paws, and a long tail. Traditionally, tigers have been classified into nine subspecies, although some classifications recognize only two: mainland Asian tigers and the island tigers of the Sunda Islands.

1925: Estimated 80,000 tigers killed between 1875 and 1925

An estimated 80,000 tigers were killed by humans between 1875 and 1925.

1935: Tiger attacks in the Sundarbans caused 1,396 human deaths

From 1935, tiger attacks in the Sundarbans caused 1,396 human deaths until 2006 according to official records of the Bangladesh Forest Department.

2003: Tiger attack ends Siegfried & Roy performance

In 2003, Siegfried & Roy's act ended when a tiger attacked Roy during a performance in Las Vegas.

2004: Tiger voted world's favourite animal

In a 2004 online poll, the tiger was voted the world's favourite animal with 21% of the vote.

2006: Tiger attacks in the Sundarbans caused 1,396 human deaths

Until 2006, tiger attacks in the Sundarbans caused 1,396 human deaths from 1935 according to official records of the Bangladesh Forest Department.

2009: Tigers were the most traded circus animals

In 2009, tigers were the most traded circus animals.

2010: Anti-poaching operations in Nepal

In 2010, anti-poaching operations were established in Nepal, which led to increased cooperation and intelligence sharing between agencies.

2011: Increase in anti-poaching patrol efforts in Russia

During 2011, anti-poaching patrol efforts increased in four Russian protected areas, contributing to reducing poaching, stabilizing the tiger population, and improving ungulate protection.

2014: Anti-poaching patrol efforts in Russia

By 2014, increased anti-poaching patrol efforts in four Russian protected areas contributed to reducing poaching, stabilizing the tiger population, and improving ungulate protection.

2015: Decrease of poaching frequency in Taman Negara

In 2015, anti-poaching patrols in the 1,200 km large core area of Taman Negara lead to a decrease of poaching frequency.

2016: Decrease of poaching frequency in Taman Negara

In 2016, anti-poaching patrols in the 1,200 km large core area of Taman Negara lead to a decrease of poaching frequency.

2018: Tiger most popular wild animal

A 2018 study found the tiger to be the most popular wild animal based on surveys, as well as appearances on websites of major zoos and posters of some animated movies.

2018: Decrease of poaching frequency in Taman Negara

During 2018, anti-poaching patrols in the 1,200 km large core area of Taman Negara lead to a decrease of poaching frequency.

2019: China and Russia signed memorandum

In 2019, China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding for transboundary cooperation between two protected areas that includes the creation of wildlife corridors and bilateral monitoring and patrolling along the Sino-Russian border.

2019: Poaching declared serious crime

In 2019, poaching and trafficking were declared to be moderate and serious crimes.

2020: Captive tiger population in the US

In 2020, only 6% of the captive tiger population in the United States were being housed in zoos and other facilities approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

2020: Captive tiger populations in Asia, US and Europe

In 2020, there were over 8,000 captive tigers in Asia, over 5,000 in the US and no less than 850 in Europe.

2022: Private keeping of tigers banned in the US

In 2022, the keeping of tigers and other big cats by private people was banned in the US.

2025: Tiger reintroduction planned for Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, habitat restoration and reintroduction of prey species in Ile-Balkash Nature Reserve have progressed and tiger reintroduction is planned for 2025.