Tigers and other animals are under threat in Asia from increasing human pressures linked to habitat loss and poaching. But protecting tigers means protecting other wildlife too.  

Here are our top 6 animals which share their home with tigers...

1. Amur leopards 

Land of the Leopard National Park in the Russian Far East is the only place left in the world where you can find this critically endangered big cat. Although their population is estimated to be as low as 100 individuals their numbers are increasing.

2. Orangutans

Orangutans can only be found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and the three species of orangutan are all critically endangered. 

As the heaviest tree-dwelling mammal orangutans like to be comfortable. They make a sleeping platform, or nest, every night. We can use their nests to estimate their population size in any given area by counting nests both from the ground and the air as they’re much easier to spot than the animals themselves.

3. Takin

The takin is the national animal of Bhutan and can be found roaming through the Himalayas. The IUCN has listed them as vulnerable and populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and hunting.

4. Asian elephants

Their trunks are perhaps the most sensitive organ found in any mammal - Asian elephants have been seen to pick up a peanut, shell it, blow the shell out and eat the nut. But despite being such an intelligent animal they’re endangered due to habitat loss.

5. Tapirs

Of the five species of tapir, the endangered Malayan tapir is the largest. It’s black and white markings help to break up the outline of its body in the dense forest. Habitat loss remains the greatest threat to it and it could once be found across Southeast Asia but today lives in isolated populations, the largest being in Malaysia.

6. Asian rhino

There are three species of Asian rhino: the greater one-horned rhino which the IUCN lists as vulnerable and the Javan and Sumatran rhino which are listed as critically endangered. 

Rhinos are an impressive size for an animal that mainly eats grass and leaves. Sadly rhinos are often poached for their horns which are made from Keratin (the same substance as our fingernails are made of). But in 2021 it’s good news for rhinos in Nepal where their population has increased by 16% since the last survey in 2015.