It is no secret that tigers around the world are facing extinction at an alarming rate. According to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, as of August 2021, 97% of the wild tiger population has waned, leaving less than 4,000 tigers in the wild.
Conservation efforts worldwide are rallying to the big cat’s side, but poachers and the destruction of natural habitats are just as active. As a result, the Sumatran Tiger is Critically Endangered according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature.
As an active partner of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, The Zoo Society is proud to play a part in the conservation and enrichment of three Sumatran Tigers here in the Northwest. For this reason, September is especially important to us because we recognize National Save a Tiger Month.
Therefore, we are highlighting some pieces of the Tiger Conservation effort that are near to our heart.
Our friends over at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) have some fantastic information in regards to tigers and the conservation efforts that surround these creatures.
You can support tiger conservation through the Dr. Holly Reed Fund, which has provided more than $2 million in grants to benefit Sumatran tigers and other diverse species.
Additionally, PDZA has resources that outline how you can protect rainforests, the natural habitat of big cats. Due to humanity’s desire for palm oil, many rainforests are being uprooted and processed for their ingredients. This is to the detriment of our beloved tigers. Next time you buy vegetable oil, consider buying a sustainable option!
Check out the Zoo’s Save Tigers page for more direct information.
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) mission is to help its members and the animals in their care thrive by providing services that advance animal welfare, public engagement, and wildlife conservation.
Among a variety of engagements and accreditations, the AZA offers a tremendous Educators Guide. This guide is just a sliver of the work done by the AZA in their Tiger Species Survival Plan, which launched a Conservation Campaign in 2012. The campaign encourages members of the AZA to participate in conservation efforts focused on a variety of tiger species – Amur, Malayan and Sumatran.
At the Zoo Society, we are proud to say that we support our local AZA Member, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, in their efforts and conservation of three Sumatran tigers – Indah, Kali and Bandar.
To learn more about AZA and what they support, check out their Strategic Plan.
Furthermore, if you would like to make an impact on tiger conservation, we invite you to get involved with the Zoo Society. Join our fight for conservation and enrichment!
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