The plight of tigers isn’t something only conservationists care about. This iconic species is a top predator, keeping the ecosystems where they live balanced and healthy. But with threats from poaching, climate change and more, they are on the brink of extinction. While there are lots of organisations and governments working together to help these beautiful creatures survive, there are also several celebrities who use their voices to advocate for tigers and donate to fundraising efforts by fronting campaigns or giving money. Here are just a few of the most notable celebrity tiger activists.

Leonardo DiCaprio

One of Hollywood’s top actors, Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio teamed up with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in their Save Tigers Now campaign in 2010. He travelled to Asia with WWF experts to see the threats that tigers face first-hand, and participated in anti-poaching patrols. He also supported the project - which aimed to double the wild tiger population by 2022 - by making a donation, assisting with fundraising efforts and helping to build awareness of tiger conservation. 

Joanna Lumley

Best known for her award-winning performance as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna Lumley is passionate about wildlife conservation. In 2021, she lent her voice to the Born Free Foundation’s Tigers in Crisis campaign, which educated communities about tiger conservation and appointed tiger ambassadors to help mitigate human-wildlife conflict.  

Melanie C and Jules Knight

Brit Award-winning singer Melanie C is a longtime supporter of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Tiger Time campaign, and in 2015 she went to India to see tigers in the wild and raise awareness of the challenges that these big cats face. 

Jules Knight, best known for playing Dr Harry Tressler in Holby City, also joined the campaign, which focused on supporting tiger conservation and calling for a ban on the trade in tiger parts. 

Megan Fox

In support of Global Tiger Day in 2017, actress Megan Fox ‘disappeared’ from social media by removing her profile picture for a day, then reappeared with a tiger art selfie. This action helped to raise awareness of how the illegal tiger trade impacts wild tiger populations. Other stars who supported the initiative on social media included Heidi Klum, Ellen DeGeneres and Star Wars actor, Mark Hamill. 

Dame Judi Dench

Like Melanie C, legendary actress Dame Judi Dench is a strong supporter of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. She regularly attends the foundation’s annual Wildlife Ball, which fundraises for endangered species such as tigers, and has used her platform to advocate for animal habitats. 

Join a tiger for tea

If you want to see a tiger near you, don’t miss the theatre family show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Based on the picture book by Judith Kerr, this production is a great introduction to theatre for preschoolers, being packed with interactive moments, singing and dancing - and lasting just 55 minutes with no interval. Touring the UK this season, it’s fun for the whole family. Search ‘theatre shows for under 5s’ and book today via your local venue.