Malayan Tiger, Sharpening Claws, Malaysia

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When I captured this photograph in 2003 there were only about 500 Malayan tigers in the world. Now there are less than 150. Without drastic action, that no one seems willing to take, they are on track to become extinct in five to ten years (between 2024 and 2029). Four of the world's nine tiger subspecies became extinct in the past century. Among the five that survive, the Malayan tiger is the least known, least supported, and closest to extinction. One hundred years ago the world's tigers numbered more than 100,000. Today there are about 3,890. All tigers are critically endangered, all populations are currently in decline, all face extinction, and all of this is due to human activity. Major threats include residential and commercial development, agriculture, aquaculture, energy production, mining, and hunting.