The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat species in the world, recognizable by its powerful build and distinctive reddish-orange coat patterned with dark, vertical stripes. These striped predators are native exclusively to Asia. Historically, the tiger ranged across a vast expanse, from Turkey and the Caspian Sea eastward to the Russian Far East and south to the Indonesian islands. Although their range has shrunk dramatically, remaining wild populations still inhabit diverse Asian ecosystems today.
The Six Remaining Subspecies
Six surviving tiger subspecies are recognized, each genetically distinct and adapted to its specific regional environment. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the most numerous, inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. The Sumatran tiger (P. t. sumatrae) is the smallest and found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The Indochinese and Malayan tigers inhabit mainland Southeast Asia.
Further north, the Amur or Siberian tiger (P. t. altaica) is the largest subspecies, adapted with a thick coat for the cold climates of the Russian Far East and northeastern China. The South China tiger (P. t. amoyensis) is believed to be functionally extinct in the wild, surviving almost entirely in captivity. These six represent the last of nine distinct populations; the Caspian, Javan, and Bali tigers became extinct in the 20th century.
Current Geographic Distribution
The tiger’s historical range has been reduced by over 93%, leaving the species in small, fragmented pockets across Asia. Today, wild tigers are found in only 13 recognized “range countries.” The largest contiguous tiger habitats are concentrated in South Asia and the Russian Far East.
India holds the majority of the world’s wild tiger population, with major conservation successes also seen in Nepal and Bhutan. The distribution remains patchy, meaning many surviving tiger populations are isolated from one another. This severe fragmentation limits genetic exchange and increases their vulnerability.
Remaining habitats vary widely, including tropical moist broadleaf forests, temperate coniferous forests, and mangrove swamps like the Sundarbans shared by India and Bangladesh. The reliance on these isolated patches makes the species highly sensitive to further habitat encroachment. Loss of connectivity between these areas is a major obstacle for long-term survival.
Population Status and Conservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the tiger as an Endangered species. While numbers plummeted from an estimated 100,000 individuals a century ago, recent conservation efforts have led to a positive trend. The latest comprehensive estimate places the global wild population between 3,726 and 5,578 individuals, a potential increase of about 40% since the 2015 assessment.
Despite this rise, the species faces pressure from two primary human-driven threats: habitat loss and poaching. Habitat destruction, fueled by deforestation for agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development, continues to shrink the limited space available for tigers to hunt and breed. This loss of territory leads to increased human-wildlife conflict as tigers venture into human settlements in search of prey.
Poaching is the most immediate threat, with tigers killed to supply the illegal wildlife trade. Their parts, including bones, skins, and claws, are highly valued on the black market for use in traditional medicine and as status symbols. Conservation efforts focus heavily on anti-poaching patrols, securing and connecting protected areas, and working with local communities to reduce conflict. Continued monitoring and international cooperation remain essential for population recovery.