Are The Big Cats Like The Lion And The Tiger Rare Species?

Yes a number of big cats not only the lion and the tiger but also the jaguar, the cheetah, the mountain lion, the panther among others are considered to be rare or endangered. In fact two sub species of lions the Cape lion of South Africa and the Barbary lion of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa have been officially declared to be extinct. Three sub species of tiger have also become extinct in recent times; the Balinese tiger and the Javan tiger of Indonesia and the Caspian tiger of Central Asia.

Other species of lions and tigers in the wild are extremely few; and are found mainly in India. The Siberian tiger a sub species found in Russia has dwindled to only a few existing pairs in the wild and is considered to be one of the most endangered mammals. Though big cat reserves have helped in some ways poaching continues to be a major problem as lion and tiger body parts are considered to be an essential ingredient in traditional medicines and also for their skins. Various non profit organizations like sponsor animal are committed to the conservation of the big cats and other endangered animals.

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Visitors to sub-Saharan Africa's vast game refuges and national parks have no trouble seeing the king of beasts. But outside of these areas, the big cats are severely endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, both legal and illegal.
In 1950, there were an estimated 400,000 wild African lions; by 2004, this figure was about 23,000 -- a 95 percent drop.
Currently, the entire population of African lions could fit into a single pro football stadium. According to the Conservation Force, of the 34 nations in which wild lions live, only three -- Botswana, Tanzania, and South Africa -- have more than 1,000 individuals.
Even within protected reserves and parks, lions face threats, including bovine tuberculosis (in South Africa's Kruger National Park), inbreeding, poaching, lack of financing for personnel, and political instability that threatens conservation.
Outside of reserves, natives kill lions that prey on livestock, often poisoning entire families while targeting one offender.
A very lucrative business of issuing permits for rich men to hunt lions has further increased pressure on the population. Sometimes the victims are captive-bred animals that walk right up to armed men, and some are even shot in enclosures by mighty big-game trophy hunters.

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