The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr has delighted families for generations. Now a popular children’s play, it’s not only a loveable story, it also offers a chance to chat to kids about tigers. The tiger in the tale is very polite but rather cheeky, eating everything in Sophie’s house. But in real life, tigers are facing constant threats to their survival. In fact, without conservation efforts, future generations might live in a world where tigers can only be found in zoos. Here, we discover where tigers are most endangered and why their populations are in decline.

Where are tigers most endangered?

All tigers are considered endangered, with a 2024 estimate by the Global Tiger Forum suggesting that no more than 5,660 individuals exist in the wild. Of the six subspecies that remain (the Caspian, Javan and Bali subspecies are now extinct) four are categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. These are the Amur, Bengal, Malayan and Indo-Chinese tigers. The South China and Sumatran tigers, meanwhile, are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’.

The South China tiger is the rarest of the tiger subspecies and is considered ‘functionally extinct’ in the wild. This means it no longer has a sustainable breeding population and cannot play an effective role in its ecosystem. Indeed, no confirmed sightings have been made since the 1990s. If any South China tigers are left, they live in the forested hills and mountains of central and southwest China. 

Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the tiger subspecies and live exclusively on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Only 600 individuals are estimated to remain in the wild. They live in tropical sub-mountain and mountain forests, as well as freshwater swamp forests and peat swaps. The largest population inhabits the Kerinci Seblat National Park, where they are protected. 

Why are tigers endangered?

There are several reasons why tigers are under threat. For South China tigers, which mostly exist only in captivity now, the biggest threat is inbreeding. A lack of genetic diversity results in birth defects and health issues, causing the population to be fragile.

For Sumatran tigers, poaching is a leading cause of decline. In China, tiger products are seen as a symbol of wealth and status, with their teeth and bones being used for tea, wine and jewellery. These items fetch high prices, and tigers are therefore illegally hunted.

Habitat loss is another major cause of decreasing tiger populations, not only in Sumatra but across all the subspecies. Growing demand for palm oil has resulted in vast amounts of forest being cleared, fragmenting tiger populations and leaving them without any food and shelter. 

As agricultural land and human populations expand, tigers come into conflict with local inhabitants. They may kill livestock if they’re struggling to find food, or attack people. This results in tigers being killed so that they don’t threaten human settlements. 

Talk about tigers

If you’re heading to London this summer, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which is returning to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in July and August. Not only is it one of the best theatre shows for families, it also offers a starting point for parents to chat to children about the plight of tigers in the wild. Get your tickets for this award-nominated children’s show today.