In April 2016, the US government tightened regulations around captive tigers under the Endangered Species Act, making it more difficult for these animals to filter into and bolster the illegal wildlife trade. More than 450,000 WWF supporters called on the US government to implement these new federal rules which ensure that tigers cannot be sold across state lines unless the seller acquires a permit and can demonstrate the transaction would contribute to tiger conservation. Another rule under the Animal Welfare Act limits public contact with tiger cubs between the ages of 8-12 weeks. This small window reduces the profitability of these cubs for photo ops and cub petting and will hopefully reduce the incentive for continued breeding.

However, Congress needs to act to ensure greater security for US captive tigers by passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act. This legislation would require federal permitting for all big cats and would prohibit public contact with cubs, reducing the risk of tiger parts from the US entering the illegal wildlife trade, removing the strongest incentive for breeding, and also improving public safety and animal welfare. Help urge Congress to pass this act by signing our petition.

5. Captive breeding facilities in Asia, or ‘tiger farms,’ also feed the illegal wildlife trade.