History of Tiger in Timeline

The tiger is a large, powerful cat belonging to the Panthera genus, native to Asia. Characterized by its orange fur with distinctive black stripes, it possesses a muscular build, a large head and paws, and a long tail. Traditionally, it's classified into nine subspecies, although some propose a simpler division into mainland Asian tigers and Sunda Island tigers.

1924: Panthera palaeosinensis described as possible tiger ancestor

In 1924, the fossil species Panthera palaeosinensis of early Pleistocene northern China was described as a possible tiger ancestor.

1929: Reginald Innes Pocock placed the tiger in the genus Panthera

In 1929, Reginald Innes Pocock reclassified the tiger within the genus Panthera, using the scientific name Panthera tigris.

1938: Data from the International Tiger Studbook

Data from the International Tiger Studbook 1938–2018 indicate that captive tigers lived up to 19 years.

1952: Hunting the tiger banned in Russia

In Russia, hunting the tiger has been banned since 1952.

1969: Tiger protected in Bhutan

In Bhutan, the tiger has been protected since 1969 and enlisted as totally protected since 1995.

1972: Tiger afforded highest protection level in India

Since 1972, the tiger has been afforded the highest protection level under India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

1973: National Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Tiger founded in India

In 1973, the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Tiger were founded in India to gain public support for tiger conservation.

1973: Tiger protected in Nepal and Bangladesh

In Nepal and Bangladesh, the tiger has been protected since 1973.

1976: Tiger totally protected in Malaysia

Since 1976, the tiger has been totally protected under Malaysia's Protection of Wild Life Act.

1977: Tiger hunting prohibited in China

Though tiger hunting was prohibited in 1977 in China, the population continued to decline and is considered extinct in South China since 2001.

1986: Tiger listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List

In 1986, the tiger was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

1988: Clearing of tiger habitat in Peninsular Malaysia

In Peninsular Malaysia, 8,315.7 km (3,210.7 sq mi) of tiger habitat was cleared during 1988–2012, most of it for industrial plantations.

1990: Tiger protected in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the tiger has been protected since 1990.

1991: Tiger body parts detected in wildlife markets in Myanmar

During 1991–2014, body parts of 207 tigers were detected during 21 surveys in two wildlife markets in Myanmar catering to customers in Thailand and China.

1993: Trade in tiger body parts banned in China

In China, the trade in tiger body parts was banned in 1993.

1995: Tiger enlisted as totally protected in Bhutan

In Bhutan, the tiger has been protected since 1969 and enlisted as totally protected since 1995.

1999: Validity of tiger subspecies questioned

In 1999, the validity of several tiger subspecies was questioned due to distinctions primarily based on fur length and colouration, striping patterns, and body size of specimens, leading to a proposal to recognize only two valid subspecies.

2000: Confiscation of tigers and tiger parts

During the years 2000–2022, at least 3,377 tigers were confiscated in 2,205 seizures in 28 countries.

2001: Decline of tiger landscapes during 2001-2020

During 2001–2020, landscapes where tigers live declined from 1,025,488 km (395,943 sq mi) to 911,901 km (352,087 sq mi).

2001: Tiger population considered extinct in South China

In China, tiger hunting was prohibited in 1977, but the population continued to decline and is considered extinct in South China since 2001.

2001: Trafficking routes of tiger skins

Seizure data from India during 2001–2021 indicate that tiger skins were the most often traded body parts, followed by claws, bones and teeth.

2003: Confiscation of tiger parts at US ports of entry

Between 2003 and 2012, a total of 292 illegal tiger parts were confiscated at US ports of entry from personal baggage, air cargo and mail.

2003: Tiger attacks Roy Horn during a Las Vegas performance

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

2003: Myanmar's national tiger conservation strategy developed

Myanmar's national tiger conservation strategy developed in 2003 comprises management tasks such as restoration of degraded habitats and protecting tiger prey species.

2004: Tiger voted world's favorite animal

In 2004, in an online poll involving over 50,000 people from 73 countries, the tiger was voted the world's favorite animal with 21% of the vote.

2005: Classification of the tiger as of 2005

The tables are based on the classification of the tiger as of 2005 and reflect the classification recognized by the Cat Classification Task Force in 2017.

2005: Tigers extirpated in two tiger reserves in India

Tiger populations in India have been targeted by poachers since the 1990s and were extirpated in two tiger reserves in 2005 and 2009.

2006: Recovery of India's tiger population

Between 2006 and 2018, efforts contributed to the recovery of India's tiger population so that it occurs in an area of about 138,200 km.

2006: Bhutan's first Tiger Action Plan implemented

Bhutan's first Tiger Action Plan implemented during 2006–2015 revolved around habitat conservation, human–wildlife conflict management, education and awareness.

2006: Tiger attacks in the Sundarbans

In 2006, official records indicated that tiger attacks in the Sundarbans caused 1,396 human deaths between 1935-2006, according to the Bangladesh Forest Department.

2009: Tiger population density in northern Myanmar

As of 2009, the tiger population density in a sampled area of roughly 3,250 km in northern Myanmar was estimated to be 0.21–0.44 tigers per 100 km.

2009: Tigers are the most traded circus animals

In 2009, tigers were the most traded circus animals. Eventually, the use of tigers and other animals in shows declined in many countries due to pressure from animal rights groups and greater desires from the public to see them in more natural settings.

2009: Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan initiated

The Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan was initiated in 2009 to stabilise the country's tiger population and maintain habitat and a sufficient prey base.

2009: Tigers extirpated in two tiger reserves in India

Tiger populations in India have been targeted by poachers since the 1990s and were extirpated in two tiger reserves in 2005 and 2009.

2010: Camera trapping in Jim Corbett National Park

During 2010–2015, camera trapping in the deciduous and subtropical pine forest of Jim Corbett National Park, northern India revealed a stable tiger population density of 12–17 individuals per 100 km (39 sq mi) in an area of 521 km (201 sq mi).

2010: Increased punishments for wildlife crimes in Malaysia

Malaysia's Wildlife Conservation Act enacted in 2010 increased punishments for wildlife-related crimes.

2010: Thailand Tiger Action Plan ratified

The Thailand Tiger Action Plan ratified in 2010 envisioned increasing the country's tiger populations by 50% in the Western Forest Complex and Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex.

January 2011: Tiger body parts seized in Nepal

Between January 2011 and December 2015, seizures in Nepal obtained 585 pieces of tiger body parts and two whole carcasses in 19 districts.

2012: Confiscation of tiger parts at US ports of entry

Between 2003 and 2012, a total of 292 illegal tiger parts were confiscated at US ports of entry from personal baggage, air cargo and mail.

2012: Clearing of tiger habitat in Peninsular Malaysia

In Peninsular Malaysia, 8,315.7 km (3,210.7 sq mi) of tiger habitat was cleared during 1988–2012, most of it for industrial plantations.

2013: Tiger protected areas in Thailand

In Thailand, nine of 15 protected areas hosting tigers are isolated and fragmented, four of these have not harboured tigers since about 2013.

2013: Last important site for the tiger in Laos

Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park was considered the last important site for the tiger in Laos, but it has not been recorded there at least since 2013; this population likely fell victim to indiscriminate snaring.

2014: Tiger body parts detected in wildlife markets in Myanmar

During 1991–2014, body parts of 207 tigers were detected during 21 surveys in two wildlife markets in Myanmar catering to customers in Thailand and China.

2014: Panthera zdanskyi suggested as sister species of modern tiger

In 2014, Panthera zdanskyi, which lived around the same time and place as Panthera palaeosinensis, was suggested to be a sister species of the modern tiger.

December 2015: Tiger body parts seized in Nepal

Between January 2011 and December 2015, seizures in Nepal obtained 585 pieces of tiger body parts and two whole carcasses in 19 districts.

2015: Bhutan's first Tiger Action Plan implemented

Bhutan's first Tiger Action Plan implemented during 2006–2015 revolved around habitat conservation, human–wildlife conflict management, education and awareness.

2015: Camera trapping in Jim Corbett National Park

Camera trapping during 2010–2015 in Jim Corbett National Park revealed a stable tiger population density of 12–17 individuals per 100 km.

2015: Two-subspecies proposal reaffirmed

In 2015, a comprehensive analysis of morphological, ecological, and mitochondrial DNA traits reaffirmed the proposal to recognize only two tiger subspecies.

2016: Tiger population density in Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Parks

As of 2016, the population density in Mae Wong and Khlong Lan National Parks, Thailand was estimated at only 0.359 tigers per 100 km.

2016: Anti-poaching units removed tiger snare traps

During 2005–2016, Anti-poaching units in Sumatra's Kerinci Seblat landscape removed 362 tiger snare traps and seized 91 tiger skins; annual poaching rates increased with rising skin prices.

March 2017: Hunter activities discovered in Myanmar reserve forest

Between March 2017 and January 2020, 630 activities of hunters using snares, drift nets, hunting platforms and hunting dogs were discovered in a reserve forest of about 1,000 km in southern Myanmar.

2017: Cat Classification Task Force revised felid taxonomy

In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group revised felid taxonomy in accordance with the 2015 two-subspecies proposal and recognised only P. t. tigris and P. t. sondaica.

2017: Classification of the tiger as of 2005 reflected by the Cat Classification Task Force in 2017

In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force recognized the classification of the tiger as of 2005.

2018: Tiger is the 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: Recovery of India's tiger population

Between 2006 and 2018, efforts contributed to the recovery of India's tiger population so that it occurs in an area of about 138,200 km.

2018: Data from the International Tiger Studbook

Data from the International Tiger Studbook 1938–2018 indicate that captive tigers lived up to 19 years.

2018: Whole-genome sequencing study of tiger subspecies

In 2018, a whole-genome sequencing study of six living tiger subspecies found them to be distinct and separate clades.

2019: China and Russia signed agreement for transboundary cooperation

In 2019, China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding for transboundary cooperation between Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park and Land of the Leopard National Park, including creating wildlife corridors and bilateral monitoring and patrolling along the Sino-Russian border.

2019: Poaching declared a serious crime

In 2019, poaching and trafficking were declared to be moderate and serious crimes, contributing to the effort to reduce poaching and stabilize the tiger population.

2019: Thai Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act enacted

The Thai Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act was enacted in 2019 to combat poaching and trading of body parts.

January 2020: Hunter activities discovered in Myanmar reserve forest

Between March 2017 and January 2020, 630 activities of hunters using snares, drift nets, hunting platforms and hunting dogs were discovered in a reserve forest of about 1,000 km in southern Myanmar.

2020: India had the largest extent of global tiger habitat

As of 2020, India had the largest extent of global tiger habitat with 300,508 km (116,027 sq mi), followed by Russia with 195,819 km (75,606 sq mi).

2020: Decline of tiger landscapes during 2001-2020

During 2001–2020, landscapes where tigers live declined from 1,025,488 km (395,943 sq mi) to 911,901 km (352,087 sq mi).

2020: Captive tiger populations

In 2020, the captive tiger populations included over 8,000 in Asia and over 5,000 in the US. Only 6% of the captive tigers in the US were housed in zoos and facilities approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

2020: Indonesian National Tiger Recovery Program

The third strategic and action plan for the conservation of the Sumatran tiger for the years 2020–2030 revolves around strengthening management of small tiger population units.

2021: Results of 2018 tiger genome sequencing study corroborated

In 2021, results of the 2018 whole-genome sequencing study of tiger subspecies were corroborated.

2021: Trafficking routes of tiger skins

Seizure data from India during 2001–2021 indicate that tiger skins were the most often traded body parts, followed by claws, bones and teeth.

2022: Global tiger population estimated in 2022

As of 2022, the global tiger population was estimated to be 3,726–5,578 individuals.

2022: Tiger inhabits less than 7% of its historical distribution

As of 2022, the tiger inhabits less than 7% of its historical distribution, with a scattered range in the Indian subcontinent, Indochinese Peninsula, Sumatra, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East.

2022: Confiscation of tigers and tiger parts

During the years 2000–2022, at least 3,377 tigers were confiscated in 2,205 seizures in 28 countries.

2022: US bans private keeping of tigers and big cats

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

2022: Tiger reserves established in India

In India, since 1973, 53 tiger reserves covering an area of 75,796 km (29,265 sq mi) have been established in the country up to 2022.

2022: Thailand Tiger Action Plan target

The Thailand Tiger Action Plan ratified in 2010 envisioned reestablishing populations in three potential landscapes until 2022.

2023: Studies considered P. zdanskyi a synonym of P. palaeosinensis

As of 2023, at least two subsequent studies considered P. zdanskyi likely to be a synonym of P. palaeosinensis, noting that its proposed differences from that species fell within the range of individual variation.

2023: Bhutan's second Action Plan target

Bhutan's second Action Plan aimed at increasing the country's tiger population by 20% until 2023 compared to 2015.

2023: Study found validity for all nine recent tiger subspecies

In 2023, a study found validity for all nine recent tiger subspecies, however, the Cat Specialist Group states that the subspecific taxonomy is currently under review.

2030: Indonesian National Tiger Recovery Program

The third strategic and action plan for the conservation of the Sumatran tiger for the years 2020–2030 revolves around strengthening management of small tiger population units.