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Tiger Trafficking Surges: Whole Animals Seized Globally
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Nine tigers seized monthly globally over five years show escalating crisis.
- Trafficking now targets whole tigers, not just parts, indicating new trends.
- Tiger populations have drastically fallen to an estimated 3,700-5,500.
An accelerating global tiger trafficking crisis is pushing the iconic species toward extinction, with authorities worldwide seizing an average of nine tigers monthly over the last five years. Research indicates that criminal networks are adapting rapidly, outpacing conservation efforts to protect the dwindling wild tiger population, now estimated between 3,700 and 5,500 individuals.
The nature of seizures has dramatically shifted; while tiger parts once dominated, since 2020, whole tigers, both live and deceased, constitute a significant portion of confiscations. This change is linked to captive-breeding facilities and potentially captures before dismemberment for parts, highlighting a more direct and dangerous trade.
Key hotspots for intervention include India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with demand varying by region, from live exotic pets in North America to medicinal derivatives in Europe and parts across Asia. Urgent global cooperation and intelligence-led enforcement are vital to disrupt organized crime networks and prevent the potential loss of wild tigers.
