TIGERS

Panthera tigris is a species of large cat in the family Felidae, known as the tiger. It is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus Panthera. Tigers are widely distributed across Asia, with populations ranging from the Siberian taiga to the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans and tropical forests of Southeast Asia. There are several recognized subspecies of tiger, including the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), and the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). The Caspian, Bali, and Javan tigers are now extinct. Tigers are easily recognized by their reddish-orange coat with black vertical stripes, which are unique to each individual, much like human fingerprints. Males are generally larger than females, with body lengths reaching up to 3.3 m (11 ft) including the tail, and weights ranging from 90 to 310 kg (200 to 683 lb) depending on the subspecies. They have powerful jaws, retractable claws, and a muscular build that makes them apex predators. They are carnivorous, primarily hunting large ungulates such as deer and wild boar, though they may also prey on smaller animals when necessary. Solitary by nature, tigers maintain and defend large territories. Although once widespread across much of Asia, the global tiger population has declined drastically due to habitat loss, poaching, and human–wildlife conflict. Today, they are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 5,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and restore tiger populations and their habitats.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND THEM

You will find the tigers at pen E42, right next to the wartgog.