Incredible wildlife that share their homes with tigers

By WWF
23 August 2021

Incredible wildlife that share their homes with tigers

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.  

Let's learn about the top 6 animals which share their homes 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. Fun fact: Although their population is estimated to be as low as 100 individuals, their numbers are increasing thanks to conservation work!

2. Orangutans

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

As the heaviest tree-dwelling mammal, orangutans like to be comfortable. Every evening, they build sleeping platforms or nests to sleep on. By counting the nests from both the ground and the trees, we can estimate their population size in any given area! 

3. Takins

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

Female Asian Elephant with calf, India. © WWF-Sweden / Ola Jennersten

Their trunks are perhaps the most sensitive organ found in any mammal – Asian elephants have been seen picking up a peanut, shelling it, blowing the shell out, and eating the nut, all with their trunks! But despite being such intelligent animals, they’re endangered due to habitat loss.

5. Tapirs

Tapir captured on a camera trap in Kui Buri, Thailand. © The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) / WWF-Thailand

Of the five species of tapirs, the endangered Malayan tapir is the largest. Its black and white markings help to break up the outline of its body in the dense forest!

Habitat loss remains the greatest threat to them. Malayan tapirs could once be found across Southeast Asia, but today, they live in isolated populations, the largest being in Malaysia. 

6. Asian rhinos

Asian rhino drinks by the water edge at sunset, Kaziranga National Park, India. © Richard Barrett / WWF-UK

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

Rhinos have an impressive size for an animal that mainly eats grass and leaves. Sadly, rhinos are often poached for their horns which are made up of Keratin. However, in 2021, we received good news as the rhino population in Nepal has increased by 16% since the last survey in 2015!

Protecting tigers is so much more than just saving an iconic species


Tigers live in some of the most important but also most highly threatened habitats on the planet, where many of the most exceptional species thrive, just like the six above!

Protecting tiger landscapes not only helps to protect these majestic big cats, but also thousands of other species. Become a tiger protector today.