Poaching for illegal trade remains one of the greatest immediate threats to wild tigers.
The estimated 8,000+ tigers in captivity across East and Southeast Asia and 5,000+ in the US far surpass those in the wild. Tigers in captivity outside of accredited zoos and legitimate research and conservation facilities have the potential to continue driving the illegal trade in wild tiger parts and products when captive tigers filter into the illegal market from captive breeding sources.
5,000+
captive tigers in the US.
There are more tigers in captivity in the US than there are in the wild.
8,000+
captive tigers in Asia.
These tigers are being held in more than 200 facilities in East and Southeast Asia.
2,359
tigers were seized
between 2000–2018 across 32 countries and territories globally.
Keeping Tigers Wild
How can we break the chains of captivity?
2020
The 116th House of Representatives passes H.R. 1380, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, but the bill stalls in the Senate.
The US government tightens regulations around captive tigers under the Endangered Species Act.
The END Wildlife Trafficking Act passes into law.
2013
President Obama establishes the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking.
2008
Report declares there are more than 5,000 tigers estimated in captivity in the US, outnumbering wild populations.
1975
Tigers are listed on Appendix I of CITES.
Click the years below to learn more.
The legislation exempts big cat species already held at the time the law goes into force, as long as the owner properly registers the animal with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and does not breed the animal or allow direct public contact.
Only facilities meeting certain requirements (i.e. no engaging in commercial trade, no breeding, etc.) are allowed to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase, breed or possess any big cat species.
The bill makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase, breed or possess any big cat species unless the entity exhibits the big cats under a Class C license from the US Department of Agriculture and does not allow direct public contact or interactions.
resides in zoos and other facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A vast majority of captive tigers are privately owned and living in people's backyards, roadside attractions, and private breeding facilities. Captive tigers in the US are currently regulated by a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws. By passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act, Congress can ensure greater security for captive tigers in the US.
The legislation requires federal permitting for all big cats, increasing oversight to reduce the risk of tiger parts from the US entering the illegal wildlife trade, removing the strongest incentive for breeding, and also improving public safety and animal welfare.
What is the Big Cat Public Safety Act?
Thank you for taking action.
For the last several years, nearly 700,000 WWF-US Activists have urged Congress to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a huge step forward in protecting tigers, both in the US and globally.
In July, the House of Representatives passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263), and the Senate followed in December. This important bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.
In general, captive facilities that are not accredited zoos, sanctuaries, or research institutions do not contribute to conservation and instead can stimulate demand for wild tigers which, once bred in captivity, can never be released to or survive in the wild.
Only an estimated of the US captive tiger population
what will it accomplish?
— Private pet ownership
— Public display and entertainment
— Zoos, sanctuaries, research institutions
— Money-making schemes (cub interactions, photo opportunities)
Why are tigers in captivity?
These facilities can undermine tiger conservation efforts by providing opportunities for laundering and other illegal activities, including further feeding the ongoing trade in Asia, which is poorly enforced. In Asia, these captive tiger facilities are referred to as “farms”*, and WWF is calling for phasing out and shutting these down, by working with the governments of China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
— Sale of tigers
— Harvesting tiger parts to trade in tiger products or derivatives
— Zoos
— Entertainment facilities
In Asia
In the united states
In Asia
In the united states
The US can be positioned as a leader on addressing the captive tiger issue, especially considering the ongoing rampant private tiger ownership within the country. There are significant welfare and public safety issues to consider as well, regarding the nature of many facilities that house these tigers and the human-tiger interactions that are dangerous and harmful to both people and tigers. Globally and in the US, there has been extensive progress and leadership shown by many on wildlife crime and conservation issues.
It is imperative that the US cleans up its own backyard to ensure that tigers held outside of accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and research institutions do not contribute to illegal trade and to ensure the US can continue to be an effective and influential voice in tiger conservation.
US Leadership over the years
2008
2016
2013
2020
6%
What is the Big Cat Public Safety Act?
2022
2021
2021
The Big Cat Public Safety Act is reintroduced in the 117th Congress with bipartisan support.
2022
Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263) passes the US House of Representatives and Senate to be signed into law by President Biden.
2016
*"tiger farm”: captive facilities that breed tigers with an intent (or reasonable probability) of supplying or directly engaging in the commercial trade in tiger products, be they body parts or derivatives.
1975
2021