Tigers once ranged widely across Asia and over the past 100 years, they have lost 93% of their historic range. The global population in the wild is estimated to number between 3000-4500 individuals (some say just 3200 are left), down from around 100 000 at the start of the 20th century. Most reasons for population decline include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching. At this rate, wild tigers will be extinct in just a few decades.
I had a great chance of a lifetime to visit India and its three national parks Bandhavgarth, Kanha and Ranthambhore in April. Thanks for Amar Sharma and his Kauntei Tours office in Delhi. It was not easy to see a tiger but after sitting enough time in a jeep, one will be lucky. My tiger photos can be seen here.