History of Tiger in Timeline
The tiger, the largest of all cat species, is a majestic predator native to Asia. Known for its powerful build, striking orange and black striped fur, and long tail, the tiger belongs to the Panthera genus. While traditionally classified into nine subspecies, recent studies suggest recognizing only two: mainland Asian tigers and Sunda Island tigers.
1911: King George V's Tiger Hunt in Colonial India
During his visit to colonial India in 1911, King George V participated in a tiger hunt, a common practice during the British Raj. He killed 39 tigers in just 10 days, reflecting the widespread acceptance of hunting during that era.
1924: Discovery of Panthera palaeosinensis
The discovery of "Panthera palaeosinensis" in 1924 in northern China offered a potential ancestor to the modern tiger. However, modern cladistics suggest it is basal to the modern "Panthera" genus.
1925: End of a Dark Era: Tiger Hunting Takes a Toll
Between 1875 and 1925, a staggering estimated 80,000 tigers were killed due to widespread hunting. This period marked a dark chapter in tiger conservation history, highlighting the devastating impact of uncontrolled hunting practices.
1929: Reclassification of the Tiger
In 1929, Reginald Innes Pocock, a British taxonomist, reclassified the tiger from the genus "Felis" to the genus "Panthera", resulting in the current scientific name "Panthera tigris".
1935: Human-Tiger Conflict in the Sundarbans Emerges
The period between 1935 and 2006 witnessed a significant number of tiger attacks in the Sundarbans, resulting in 1,396 human deaths according to official records from the Bangladesh Forest Department.
1938: International Tiger Studbook Started
In 1938, the International Tiger Studbook was initiated, which would go on to provide valuable data on captive tiger longevity.
1952: Tiger Hunting Ban in Russia
Russia implemented a ban on tiger hunting in 1952.
1969: Tiger Protection in Bhutan
Bhutan granted tigers protection status in 1969.
1972: Highest Protection Level for Tigers in India
India's Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 granted tigers the highest level of protection.
1973: Tiger Protection in Nepal and Bangladesh
Nepal and Bangladesh enacted tiger protection laws in 1973.
1973: Establishment of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Tiger in India
India established the National Tiger Conservation Authority and launched Project Tiger in 1973 to raise awareness about tiger conservation and garner support for it.
1976: Total Protection for Tigers in Malaysia
Malaysia's Protection of Wild Life Act, passed in 1976, provided total protection for tigers.
1977: Tiger Hunting Ban in China
China outlawed tiger hunting in 1977.
1986: Tiger Listed as Endangered
In 1986, the tiger was officially classified as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
1987: Fourier Analysis of Tiger Stripes
A 1987 study used Fourier analysis to examine the spatial frequencies of tiger stripes. The findings suggest that the stripes' pattern aligns with the tiger's natural environment, providing camouflage in areas with vertical patterns of light and shade, like forests and tall grasses.
1988: Start of Deforestation Measurement in Peninsular Malaysia
Deforestation in Peninsular Malaysia was monitored from 1988.
1990: Tiger Protection in Indonesia
Indonesia implemented tiger protection measures in 1990.
1991: Start of Wildlife Market Surveys in Myanmar
From 1991 to 2014, 21 surveys conducted in two Myanmar wildlife markets revealed the presence of body parts from 207 tigers.
1993: Ban on Tiger Body Part Trade in China
China imposed a ban on the trade of tiger body parts in 1993.
1995: Total Protection for Tigers in Bhutan
Tigers were categorized as totally protected in Bhutan starting in 1995.
1999: Dispute Over Tiger Subspecies
In 1999, the validity of the nine recognized tiger subspecies was questioned due to the considerable variation in characteristics like fur length, color, stripes, and size within populations. It was proposed that only two subspecies, "P. t. tigris" in mainland Asia and "P. t. sondaica" in the Greater Sunda Islands, be recognized.
2000: Start of Global Tiger Confiscation Tracking
A global effort to track tiger confiscations began in 2000.
2001: Tiger Considered Extinct in South China
By 2001, tigers were declared extinct in South China.
2001: Start of Tiger Habitat Decline Measurement
The decline of tiger habitats was closely monitored from 2001.
2001: Start of Tiger Seizure Data Collection in India
India started to systematically collect data on tiger seizures in 2001.
2003: Development of Myanmar's National Tiger Conservation Strategy
Myanmar formulated its national tiger conservation strategy in 2003, outlining key tasks such as restoring degraded habitats.
2003: Start of Illegal Tiger Part Confiscation Tracking at US Ports
The United States started monitoring illegal tiger part entries in 2003.
2003: Siegfried & Roy's Las Vegas Show Ends After Tiger Attack
The year 2003 marked the end of an era for the famed Las Vegas act Siegfried & Roy. During a performance, a tiger attacked Roy, bringing their long-running show, renowned for its use of white tigers, to an abrupt end.
2004: Tiger Crowned World's Favorite Animal in Global Poll
In 2004, Animal Planet conducted an online poll involving over 50,000 participants from 73 countries. The result? The tiger emerged as the world's favorite animal, garnering an impressive 21% of the votes and narrowly surpassing dogs.
2005: Tiger Extirpation in Two Indian Tiger Reserves
In 2005, two Indian tiger reserves reported the complete eradication of their tiger populations due to poaching.
2006: Implementation of Bhutan's First Tiger Action Plan
Bhutan put its first Tiger Action Plan into action between 2006 and 2015, centering on habitat preservation, addressing human-wildlife conflicts, and promoting education and awareness.
2006: Concerns Grow Over Human-Tiger Conflict in the Sundarbans
By 2006, the Sundarbans region continued to grapple with human-tiger conflict, with official records indicating 1,396 human deaths from tiger attacks since 1935. The attacks primarily affected local villagers who ventured into tiger territories to collect resources like wood and honey, highlighting the challenges of coexisting in areas where humans and tigers share territory.
2009: Second Tiger Extirpation in Indian Tiger Reserves
Two Indian tiger reserves lost their tiger populations due to poaching in 2005 and 2009.
2009: Initiation of Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan
Bangladesh launched its Tiger Action Plan in 2009 with the goal of stabilizing the nation's tiger population.
2009: Tiger Population Density in Myanmar
In 2009, northern Myanmar's tiger density was estimated to be between 0.21 and 0.44 per 100 sq km, highlighting the challenges of conservation in areas with habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.
2009: Tigers Remain Most Traded Circus Animals Despite Growing Concerns
Despite increasing concerns about animal welfare and a growing public preference for seeing animals in natural settings, tigers remained the most traded circus animals as of 2009. This highlighted the ongoing challenges in combating the exploitation of tigers and other wild animals for entertainment purposes.
2010: Tiger Population Density Studies
Between 2010 and 2015, camera trapping in India's Jim Corbett National Park revealed a stable tiger density of 12-17 per 100 sq km, indicating successful conservation efforts in the region.
2010: Global Tiger Recovery Program Launched
In 2010, representatives from all tiger range countries came together and agreed to an ambitious goal: to double the global tiger population by 2022. This marked the beginning of the Global Tiger Recovery Program, a significant milestone in tiger conservation.
2010: Nepal Steps Up Anti-Poaching Measures
Nepal joined the fight against tiger poaching in 2010 by establishing dedicated anti-poaching operations. These operations were bolstered by increased cooperation and intelligence sharing among different agencies, enhancing their effectiveness.
2010: Ratification of Thailand Tiger Action Plan
The Thailand Tiger Action Plan was approved in 2010 with a vision to increase tiger numbers in the Western Forest Complex and Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex by 50%.
January 2011: Tiger Body Parts Seizures in Nepal
Between January 2011 and December 2015, authorities in Nepal seized 585 tiger body parts and two whole tiger carcasses across 19 districts.
2011: Increased Anti-Poaching Efforts in Russia Show Promise
In 2011, four protected areas in Russia saw a significant increase in anti-poaching patrol efforts. This initiative aimed to curb the illegal hunting of tigers and protect their prey.
2012: End of Illegal Tiger Part Confiscation Tracking at US Ports
Between 2003 and 2012, 292 illegal tiger parts were intercepted at US ports of entry, originating from personal luggage, air cargo, and mail.
2012: End of Deforestation Measurement in Peninsular Malaysia
Between 1988 and 2012, approximately 8,315.7 km (3,210.7 sq mi) of tiger habitat in Peninsular Malaysia was cleared, primarily for industrial plantations.
2013: Last Tiger Sighting in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park
The last recorded sighting of a tiger in Laos' Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park was in 2013.
2013: Tiger Absence Confirmed in Four Thai Protected Areas
By 2013, it was confirmed that tigers were no longer present in four out of the nine isolated and fragmented protected areas in Thailand.
2013: Tiger Genome Sequenced
In a scientific breakthrough, the complete tiger genome was sequenced in 2013. The analysis revealed that the tiger's genome shares similarities with other cat genomes, particularly in terms of repeat compositions and a largely conserved synteny.
2014: Positive Results Emerge from Increased Anti-Poaching Patrols in Russia
By 2014, the intensified anti-poaching patrols implemented in four Russian protected areas in 2011 showed promising results. Poaching decreased, contributing to a stabilization of the tiger population and improved protection for ungulate populations, their primary prey.
2014: Examination of Panthera zdanskyi
Examination of "Panthera zdanskyi" in 2014, another fossil from early Pleistocene northern China, suggested it could be a sister taxon to the modern tiger.
2014: End of Wildlife Market Surveys in Myanmar
The wildlife market surveys concluded in 2014.
December 2015: End of Tiger Body Parts Seizure Monitoring Period in Nepal
The monitoring period for the Nepal seizures ended in December 2015.
2015: Two-Subspecies Proposal Reaffirmed
A 2015 study reaffirmed the two-subspecies proposal, recognizing only "P. t. tigris" (mainland Asia) and "P. t. sondaica" (Sunda Islands), based on morphological, ecological, and molecular analysis. While this simplified classification could aid captive breeding and re-wilding efforts, it also raised concerns about potential risks to the protection of unique tiger populations.
2015: End of Bhutan's First Tiger Action Plan
Bhutan's first Tiger action plan concluded in 2015.
2015: Anti-Poaching Patrols Established in Taman Negara, Malaysia
The year 2015 marked the beginning of dedicated anti-poaching patrols in the core area of Taman Negara in Malaysia. This 1,200 km (460 sq mi) area, crucial for tiger conservation, saw increased efforts to combat illegal hunting.
2015: Tiger Population Density Studies
By 2015, camera trapping studies had become instrumental in assessing tiger populations, revealing varying densities in different habitats.
2016: Impact of Logging and Poaching on Tiger Density
A 2016 study in Thailand revealed the impact of past logging and poaching, with lower tiger densities (0.359 per 100 sq km) observed in affected areas compared to protected areas.
2016: End of Anti-Poaching Efforts in Sumatra's Kerinci Seblat Landscape
From 2005 to 2016, anti-poaching squads in Sumatra's Kerinci Seblat region successfully removed 362 tiger snare traps and confiscated 91 tiger skins.
2016: Taman Negara Records 34 Poaching Incidents
In 2016, despite ongoing anti-poaching patrols, Taman Negara recorded 34 detected incidents of poaching. This highlighted the persistent challenges in protecting tigers and the need for continued vigilance.
March 2017: Hunting Activities Discovered in Myanmar Reserve Forest
Between March 2017 and January 2020, 630 instances of illegal hunting activities were uncovered within a southern Myanmar reserve forest spanning about 1,000 km.
2017: IUCN Adopts Two-Subspecies Classification
In 2017, the IUCN Cat Classification Task Force adopted the two-subspecies classification of tigers, recognizing "P. t. tigris" in continental Asia and "P. t. sondaica" in the Sunda Islands, based on the 2015 study. However, this classification continues to be disputed due to genetic distinctions among the currently recognized six living subspecies.
2017: Classification Based on Mammal Species of the World
The provided tiger classification tables are based on the "Mammal Species of the World" and the classification used by the Cat Classification Task Force in 2017.
2018: Anti-Poaching Efforts in Taman Negara Yield Positive Results
By 2018, the consistent anti-poaching efforts in Taman Negara began to show positive results. The number of detected poaching incidents decreased to 20, compared to 34 in 2015-2016. The arrest of seven poaching teams and the removal of snares directly contributed to the survival of three resident female tigers and at least 11 cubs.
2018: Data Analysis of International Tiger Studbook
Data from the International Tiger Studbook, spanning from 1938 to 2018, revealed that captive tigers lived up to 19 years.
2018: Genetic Evidence Supports Six Subspecies
A 2018 whole-genome sequencing study of 32 tiger samples provided evidence supporting the genetic distinctiveness of six tiger subspecies: Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese, South China, Siberian, and Sumatran. The study indicated these subspecies descended from a common ancestor around 110,000 years ago.
2018: Study Confirms Enduring Popularity of Tigers
A 2018 study reaffirmed the tiger's status as a beloved animal. By analyzing surveys, website appearances of major zoos, and posters from animated movies, the study confirmed the tiger's enduring popularity as the most favored wild animal.
2019: Thailand Enacts the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act
In 2019, Thailand took a significant step towards protecting its tiger population by enacting the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act. This new law aimed to combat the illegal poaching and trading of tiger parts, addressing a major threat to their survival.
2019: China and Russia Partner for Transboundary Tiger Conservation
In a significant display of international cooperation, China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2019. This agreement focused on transboundary cooperation between two key protected areas: Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park and Land of the Leopard National Park. This collaboration included the creation of crucial wildlife corridors and the implementation of bilateral monitoring and patrolling along the Sino-Russian border.
2019: Russia Strengthens Legal Protections for Tigers
In a significant move to deter poaching and trafficking of tiger parts, Russia officially declared these activities as moderate and serious crimes in 2019. This change aimed to strengthen the legal repercussions for those involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
January 2020: End of Hunting Activities Investigation
The investigation of the hunting activities in Myanmar concluded in January 2020.
2020: The Prevalence of Tigers in the Exotic Pet Trade Raises Concerns
By 2020, the exotic pet trade, particularly in the United States, saw an estimated 5,000 tigers being kept in captivity. Alarmingly, only 6% of these tigers were housed in reputable zoos and facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The majority of these tigers were in the hands of private collectors, raising significant concerns about their welfare and the potential threats to public safety.
2020: End of Tiger Habitat Decline Measurement Period
By 2020, the landscapes inhabited by tigers had shrunk to 911,901 km (352,087 sq mi) from 1,025,488 km (395,943 sq mi) in 2001.
2020: Largest Tiger Habitats
In 2020, India and Russia held the most extensive tiger habitats globally, with India boasting 300,508 sq km and Russia following with 195,819 sq km, highlighting the importance of these countries for tiger conservation.
2020: Start of the Third Strategic and Action Plan for Sumatran Tiger Conservation
The third phase of the strategic and action plan for conserving Sumatran tigers, spanning from 2020 to 2030, centers on enhancing the management of smaller tiger populations.
2021: End of Tiger Seizure Data Collection in India
Seizure data from India collected between 2001 and 2021 revealed that tiger skins were the most commonly traded body part, followed by claws, bones, and teeth.
2021: Further Confirmation of Subspecies Distinctiveness
In 2021, further studies corroborated the genetic distinctiveness and separation of the six tiger subspecies, challenging the two-subspecies classification.
2022: Paleogenomic Analysis of Pleistocene Tiger
A 2022 paleogenomic study of a Pleistocene tiger, ancestral to modern tigers, revealed that modern tiger populations spread throughout Asia no earlier than 94,000 years ago, providing insight into tiger evolution and dispersal.
2022: US Bans Private Ownership of Tigers and Other Big Cats
Addressing the growing concerns over animal welfare and public safety, the United States took a decisive step in 2022 by banning the private ownership of tigers and other big cats. This legislation aimed to curb the exotic pet trade and protect these animals from the potential harms of inadequate care and exploitation.
2022: End of Global Tiger Confiscation Tracking
Between 2000 and 2022, at least 3,377 tigers were confiscated globally, as documented in 2,205 seizures across 28 countries.
2022: Establishment of 53 Tiger Reserves in India
By 2022, India had designated 53 tiger reserves, encompassing a total area of 75,796 km (29,265 sq mi), for tiger conservation efforts.
2022: Estimated Tiger Population in 2022
By 2022, the global tiger population was estimated to be between 3,726 and 5,578 individuals, highlighting a continued decline.
2022: Reduced Tiger Range
By 2022, the tiger's range had dwindled to less than 7% of its historical extent, now fragmented and scattered across the Indian subcontinent, Indochinese Peninsula, Sumatra, Russian Far East, and northeastern China.
2023: Reclassification of Panthera zdanskyi
Recent studies in 2023 proposed that "Panthera zdanskyi" is likely a synonym of "Panthera palaeosinensis", as the differences between them fall within the range of individual variation.
2023: Target Year for Bhutan's Second Tiger Action Plan
Bhutan's second Action Plan, initiated after 2015, aimed to achieve a 20% increase in the country's tiger population by 2023.
2023: Continued Support for Six Tiger Subspecies
Ongoing research in 2023 continued to support the genetic distinctiveness of the six tiger subspecies, adding to the debate over the most accurate classification.
2025: Kazakhstan Plans Tiger Reintroduction in Ile-Balkash Nature Reserve
With habitat restoration and the reintroduction of prey species progressing well in Kazakhstan's Ile-Balkash Nature Reserve, plans are underway for a significant step: the reintroduction of tigers, scheduled for 2025.
2030: End of the Third Strategic and Action Plan for Sumatran Tiger Conservation
The third Sumatran tiger conservation plan is slated to conclude in 2030.