Tigers, iconic predators, face a precarious existence. Once widespread across Asia, their populations have significantly declined, pushing them to the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies tigers as endangered, with some subspecies critically endangered. Despite legal protections in their range countries, hunting continues to threaten their survival. The reasons behind this ongoing hunting are complex, rooted in illicit markets, human-wildlife conflict, and historical practices.
Demand for Tiger Body Parts
The primary driver of illegal tiger hunting is the demand for their body parts in illicit markets, especially for traditional medicine and as status symbols. For centuries, tiger parts have been incorporated into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices. Bones are among the most sought-after parts, believed to treat conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, ulcers, and general weakness. Tiger bone wine, made with ground bones, is a traditional remedy, though Western medical experts largely discount claims of its curative power.
Tiger skins command high prices on the black market, serving as luxury items or symbols of wealth and power. Wealthy individuals in some Asian cultures seek these skins for prestige or decor. Other body parts, such as claws and teeth, are used for amulets or charms, while whiskers are believed to soothe toothaches or offer protection.
The demand extends to other organs, with the tiger penis sought after as an aphrodisiac and to improve male virility. Nearly every part of a tiger’s body, from eyes to brain, has been associated with various medicinal or superstitious uses. This persistent demand fuels a lucrative illegal trade, making tigers more valuable dead than alive in some contexts.
Conflict with Human Populations
Hunting of tigers also arises from direct conflicts with human communities, often driven by economic loss and safety concerns. As human populations expand and encroach upon tiger habitats, interactions become more frequent. Tigers, when natural prey is scarce, may prey on domestic livestock such as cattle, goats, and pigs, leading to significant economic losses for rural communities. This livestock depredation often results in retaliatory killings by farmers seeking to protect their livelihoods.
Instances of tigers attacking humans, though relatively rare compared to livestock attacks, also lead to hunting. These attacks can be driven by fear or a desire for safety within communities living near tiger territories. Tigers that are injured, aged, or have lost their natural prey due to habitat degradation may be more likely to target easier prey, including humans.
Historical records indicate a high number of human deaths from tiger attacks in the past, with estimates reaching hundreds of thousands over centuries in Asia. While modern numbers are lower, human population growth and expansion into tiger habitats continue to increase the potential for conflict. Such conflicts can lead to the displacement of tigers and further contribute to their population decline.
Historical Practice of Sport Hunting
Historically, tiger hunting was a widespread practice, particularly during colonial times, driven by notions of prestige, sport, and perceived pest control. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, big game hunting of tigers was considered a symbol of masculinity and an adventurous sporting event. European and Indian nobility engaged in elaborate hunts, often from elephant back, to collect trophies and demonstrate power.
Colonial governments sometimes encouraged tiger hunting, offering rewards for kills and viewing tigers as pests that threatened human life and livestock. For instance, in 1878, British officials reportedly killed 1,579 tigers in India, and in 1882, rewards were paid for 1,726 tiger kills. Some individual hunters, such as Maharaja of Surguja, were recorded to have killed over a thousand tigers.
This historical pressure significantly reduced tiger populations. At the turn of the 20th century, an estimated 100,000 wild tigers roamed Asia; however, within a century, this number plummeted to a few thousand. While sport hunting is now largely illegal across tiger range countries, its historical impact contributed immensely to the current endangered status of these animals, preceding modern conservation efforts.