More tigers captive in the US than in the wild worldwide
 

"There are more tigers living in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Estimates range from 10,000 to 15,000 animals. By comparison, experts believe that there are at most 7,000 tigers living in the wild worldwide."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...453035,00.html

It's quite sickening, when wild populations are struggling with low numbers and a stagnant gene pool, 10,000 animals are being domesticated and kept in cages for rich Americans. How many of these I wonder have been captured through the pet trade? All of them at some point must have had ancestors that were. If the owners are attacked they get what they deserve, it's not just a matter of animal cruelty, but the conservation of an entire species essential to it's natural environment.

Many of these are probably hybrids of different subspecies, destroying thousands of years of genetic isolation and evolution (and possible future speciation). These hybrids also have problems with disease and retardation, meaning they will likely not survive if released back into the wild (much like the mass-bred 'white tigers').

Most in the US are in Zoos. If they weren't there, there would be 7,000 tigers in the world period. Not all animals in captivity are pets for rich people. Sure it's not the same as being wild, but it sure beats being forced to extinction by hunters and fur traders. I wonder how many pandas are in captivity vs being wild.

Uhhh the zoos are trying to encourage breeding programs and keep the species alive, if it weren't for the zoos there would probably be 7000 tigers full stop.

http://www.savethetigerfund.org/Cont...ex/default.htm

Less than 1,000 tigers in zoos worldwide. I doubt any more than half of those are in the US.

Zoos isn't the problem, it's the pet trade and private breeders. Like I said, they have no concern for the genetic viability of the tigers, leading to a stagnation of the gene pool. They are taking but giving nothing back.

Besides the use of zoos is also questionable... they set up breeding programs because tigers bring in lots of people and make money. The likelyhood of them being reintroduced is slim. Zoos like spouting how important they are to conservation and how much they care, but more often than not it's to prevent people wondering why they are keeping large animals in captivity. With smaller animals it's a different case, as they are easier to reintroduce and breed in larger numbers.

Working with animals in the wild (and with local people) is where 95% of conservation happens.

Most tigers in the US that are used as pets didn't come from the wild anyway. They were bought from breeders. Source

It's not hurting the wild population, but it's still pretty sick. The article says that most of these animals are inbred and are born disfigured. Half of the tigers bread in the US have to be euthanized. Pretty sick. I didn't realize it was that bad. Sounds like a lot of the dog breeders in my area.

Hm link doesn't work for me, but yes I know you're right the majority are from breeders. However there is still as small number either taken from the wild as cubs or born to wild parents, to try and alleviate the inbreeding. If this is only 5% that's still 750 individuals, which is a blow to the wild population of less than 5,000.

Tommyknocker, where are you getting your information from?
The whole point of containment is to protect them from idiotic poachers and to attempt to reproduce them.

I did a summer school at the University College London on conservation, extinction and climate change in July. We had lot's of debates on issues like these (including the importance of zoos) with some of the leading lecturers and scientists in the field. I also have a huge interest on the subject so have done a lot of my own research and plan to study zoology at University.

If you want a specific source then I'll refer you to a page from 'save the tiger fund'. This is not an animal rights group (which I think do more harm than good to the public view of conservation), but a large collection of scientists that compile their research to help conserve the tiger and other species in it's natural habitat. They also help to debunk certain theories that would more likely harm it's survival.

* Wild tigers can be saved more easily and at far less expense by protecting the habitat and prey of existing wild tiger populations.

* Most tigers on farms do not have the genetic pedigree for release into the wild.

* Tigers in farms are bred to be docile with other tigers, making it likely that resident wild tigers, which are territorial, would kill any farmed tigers introduced into the wild.

* To date, reintroductions of lions and other carnivores have failed and resulted in loss of human lives, livestock and the wildlife involved.

* Due to their lack of fear of humans, captive-bred tigers would be easily poached.

* A lack of fear of humans will make any farm-raised tigers released into the wild a menace to people.

* Given good management, there are enough tigers left in the wild to ensure recovery of wild tigers. Indeed, they will “breed like cats” with adequate protection of habitat and prey, coupled with enforcement of existing laws. http://www.savethetigerfund.org/Cont...es/default.htm

Also might I add that the main cause for the decline in tiger numbers today is destruction of habitat, poaching less so (though it is responsible for the initial drop). It is a keystone species, meaning not only does it hold a vital role in it's environment, but is a major reason to protect it's habitat thereby ensuring the survival of other endemic animals and plants.

Our plan is to make a bunch of Ligers, then we will release them back into the wild to dominate the inferior species of the lion AND tiger

George Bush is hording tigers so we can win the Tiger Superpower race. Take that, India and China!!!

Imma get me a tiger

They are naturally retarded, but looking at some human leaders, that doesn't necassarily inhibit domination http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/tongue1.gif

retarded maybe, but they have skills in magic[xmasthumbup]