Home > Finale > Save the Tiger Extinction is Forever "Extinction is forever." It may sound obvious--but it's also a very powerful and sobering message. We hear so much about "extinction" of species, that for many, the word has lost its power, its meaning, until expressed in this way. In just the last 60 years, three species of tigers have been forever wiped from the face of the earth. The Bali Tiger became extinct in the 1940's; the Caspian in the 1970's, and the Javan in the 1980's. Only five species remain, and they are very seriously threatened. Numbering more than 100,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, the total number of tigers--of all species, both in the wild and in captivity--has dwindled to between 4800 and 7300. Bengal tigers account for as many as 3,000 of that number. South China Tigers represent as little as 20. The primary causes of these losses are habitat destruction and poaching. Poaching is perhaps the most serious issue. There is great demand for tiger parts in Asian cultures, where they are believed to be of medicinal value. Though trading in tiger parts has largely become illegal, there remains a thriving black market. Save The Tiger The United States and international conservation organizations have spearheaded efforts to save the tiger. Perhaps the biggest resource is the Save the Tiger Fund, created by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with ExxonMobil. While the bulk of the Fund's more $9 million has come from contributions by ExxonMobil, more than $1.4 million has come from individuals and other groups. If you'd like to help, you may send a tax-deductible donation to: Save the Tiger Fund National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20036 Please note that this site is in no way affiliated with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, ExxonMobil, or the Save the Tiger Fund. If you have any questions or concerns about this program, they should be directed to the address above. Tiger Resources If you'd like to learn more about tigers and tiger conservation, we invite you to visit these sites: 5 Tigers Named for the five remaining species of tigers, this is most comprehensive site on tigers we've found on the Web. This well-designed site presents a wealth of information on these magnificent animals, and the efforts to save them. TigerLady's Jungle A very personal tribute to one person's favorite animal. It's a great read, with tons of information, very lovingly presented. Tigers in India An extensive blog about Tiger conservation in India.