Top 6 Rarest Tiger Species in the World 2024: Tigers are among the most famous and fascinating creatures that can be found anywhere in the globe.
They are common sights in zoos all around the world, and people have been captivated by them for generations.
Nevertheless, despite the admiration, tigers are among the animals that are in danger of extinction all over the world.
According to the latest research and data conducted by world animal foundation, there has been an increase in the number of tigers, and now The Total Number of Wild Tigers Worldwide is 5,574.
Only six of the 11 subspecies of tigers that have been documented are still alive today, and all of them are either endangered or extremely endangered.
One of the subspecies of tigers on this list is even thought to be extinct in the wild at the present time, with only a few animals still living in captivity.
Although there are a number of causes that contribute to the decline of the world’s wild tiger population, the greatest threat they face comes from human activities.
These activities include illegal poaching, the loss of habitat as a result of human expansion, and human conflict (killing tigers because they are a “threat”).
It is my sincere hope that increasing public awareness of the plight that tigers currently face would contribute to their successful conservation.
As of the month of September in the year 2019, the population estimates for these subspecies of tigers are as accurate as they possibly can be. This material will be modified as deemed necessary in the future.
Top 6 Rarest Tiger Species in the World 2024
1. Bengal Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: 2,603–3,346
- Location: Indian Subcontinent (Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan)
- Current Conservation Status: Endangered
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris tigris
When people think about tigers, they’re most likely picturing the
Not only does the Bengal Tiger have the highest population of any tiger subspecies, but it also serves as a symbol for all tigers.
The Bengal Tiger is the most common subspecies of tiger and may be found in zoos, wildlife parks, and even live shows in Las Vegas.
It is also the name of the subspecies with the biggest population. If you’ve ever seen a tiger in person, it was most likely a Bengal Tiger.
Even though there are more Bengal Tigers than there are of any of the other five subspecies combined, these cats are nevertheless considered to be endangered.
The number of Bengal Tigers, like the population of all tigers, is on the decline. The primary threat comes from humans, particularly unlawful poaching.
Did It Cross Your Mind?
The Bengal Tiger has been raised in captivity since 1880, and it is commonly crossbred with other tiger subspecies. This is the primary reason for the Bengal Tiger’s disproportionately high population size when compared to the other tiger subspecies.
2. Siberian Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: 500 to 600
- Location: Russian Far East; Northeast China; and possibly North Korea
- Current Conservation Status: Endangered
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris altaica
The Siberian Tiger, sometimes known as the Amur Tiger, is most commonly located in the thick woods of the Russian Far East; however, it can also be found in certain regions of Northeast China and potentially North Korea.
In the past, in addition to the Russian Far East, the range of the Siberian Tiger included the Korean Peninsula, northern China, and Mongolia. Today, however, the Siberian Tiger is only found in the Russian Far East.
Unfortunately, the wild population of Siberian Tigers was nearly wiped out due to excessive hunting, and its numbers have been unstable over the years.
The population of the Siberian Tiger has remained stable at more than 500, but fewer than 600, ever since Russia became the first country to provide complete protection for tiger subspecies (the Siberian Tiger).
Did It Cross Your Mind?
The Siberian Tiger is the largest of all the tiger subspecies that are still alive today, reaching a maximum size of 660 pounds (300 kilograms) in weight and 10.75 feet (3.28 meters) in length when kept in captivity. On the other hand, the Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat is far larger.
3. Sumatran Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: 400 to 600
- Location: Sumatra, Indonesia (Sunda Islands)
- Current Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- cientific Name: Panthera tigris sumatrae or Panthera tigris sondaica
The Bali Tiger became extinct in the 1950s, and the Javan Tiger was last spotted in the 1980s; the Sumatran Tiger is the only tiger subspecies that has survived on the Sunda Islands of Indonesia, which used to also be home to the Javan Tiger and the Bali Tiger before the Sumatran Tiger became the sole survivor.
There are between 400 and 600 wild Sumatran Tigers still alive, according to several sources; however, estimates range anywhere from 400 to 600.
According to the findings of DNA research, the Sumatran Tiger became geographically distinct from other populations of tigers following a rise in sea level that took place between 12,000 and 6,000 years ago.
Because of this, Sumatran Tigers have developed a unique physiology that allows them to thrive on the island that is their habitat.
The population of Sumatran Tigers is decreasing, primarily as a result of the activities of humans, such as the expansion of palm oil plantations.
Did It Cross Your Mind?
In comparison to the other subspecies of tigers, the Sumatran Tiger has the darkest fur (a very dark orange color) and the maximum density of stripes. It is also the smallest subspecies of tiger.
4. Indochinese Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: about 350
- Location: Myanmar; Thailand; Laos; Vietnam; Cambodia; and southwestern China (probably extinct in this area)
- Current Conservation Status: Endangered
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris corbetti
The countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and southwestern China are the original homes of the Indochinese Tiger.
However, due to the fact that no animals of this species have been spotted in the region in recent years, scientists fear that the Indochinese Tiger may have become extinct in China.
According to the findings of several studies, it appears that Cambodia and Vietnam may be the only two countries in which Indochinese Tigers can still be found.
Since the Indochinese Tiger is so reclusive and shy, very little is known about the manner in which it behaves in its natural environment. This is true of all tigers, but it is especially true of the Indochinese Tiger.
The Indochinese Tiger is the last subspecies of tiger that has the smallest captive population of any of the other subspecies.
There are currently fewer than a handful of Indochinese Tigers living in zoos across the globe due to the fact that the Malayan Tiger was recognized as its own subspecies in the year 2004.
Did It Cross Your Mind?
Panthera tigris corbetti is the scientific name given to the Indochinese Tiger. This name is a tribute to Jim Corbett, a British hunter who killed man-eating tigers and leopards in India, but who later turned his attention to conservation.
5. Malayan Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: 250 to 340
- Location: Southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula; southern tip of Thailand
- Current Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris jacksoni
Up until the year 2004, the Malayan Tiger and the Indochina Tiger were both considered to belong to the same species.
However, after conducting a DNA study, it was found that the Malayan Tiger was in fact its own subspecies.
In recognition of Peter Jackson, a well-known environmentalist for tigers (not to be confused with the famous film director of the same name), this subspecies was given the name Panthera tigris jacksoni.
The Malayan Tiger’s home range encompasses the majority of the southern and central regions of the Malay Peninsula, as its name suggests. Malayan Tigers can also be found on Thailand’s southernmost tip, although there is only a small population of them.
The overexploitation of forest resources and the development of new roads pose the greatest risk to the Malayan Tiger population.
Did It Cross Your Mind?
The name for the Malayan Tiger in the Malay language is harimau, which is frequently abbreviated to just rimau.
6. South China Tiger
- Current Estimated Population: functionally extinct in the wild, but about 100 or so in captivity
- Location: Southeast China – mostly in Hainan Moist Forests
- Current Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris amoyensis
The South China Tiger is currently the rarest species of tiger in the world due to the fact that experts have proclaimed it to be “functionally extinct” in its natural habitat in China.
Although the South China Tiger has not been spotted in the wild for more than 25 years, there are approximately 100 of them kept in captivity, and breeding programs are still active.
It was previously believed that the captive population of South China Tigers was too small and lacked sufficient genetic variety.
However, ever since the beginning of a centrally registered studbook a few years ago, there is some hope that the South China Tiger could be re-introduced into the wild in the future.
This was one of the reasons why the captive population of South China Tigers was considered to be too small.
It was thought that there were approximately 4,000 wild South China Tigers in existence in the early 1950s; however, those numbers have significantly decreased over the past few decades.
Killing South China Tigers as “pests” resulted in the deaths of thousands of animals, and the destruction of their habitat caused the deaths of even more.
Did It Cross Your Mind?
The skull of the South China Tiger is unique among the skulls of all other tiger species that are still alive. As a result of this, the South China Tiger is regarded as the “original” tiger, the species from which all of the other subspecies of tigers that exist today descended.
Top 6 Rarest Tiger Species in the World 2024- Newshub360.net
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