Toggle Nav

The Urgent Issue of Captive Tigers

captive tiger behind fence

Keep tigers out of America's backyards

Take action now

Most people are surprised to learn that there are an estimated 5,000 captive tigers in America. That’s more than all wild tigers across Asia. Almost 95 percent are privately owned, often by people not trained to care for animals in general, let alone tigers. Alarmingly, there is no accurate record or system to determine the actual number of tigers in the country, where they are, or what happens to them after they die.

Wild tigers at risk

With no way to track captive tigers in the US, WWF and TRAFFIC are concerned that wildlife criminals could be pushing tiger parts and products into the international black market. This will only stimulate demand for tiger products, further threatening wild populations by putting them at increased risk of poaching.

An issue of public safety

Remember Zanesville? In 2011, local authorities in this Ohio town were forced to shoot more than 10 captive tigers and other exotic animals after their owner let them loose into the community. This is a scenario that could easily be repeated and with severe consequences.


Taking action



Help us protect tigers

