Tigers are one of the most iconic and easily recognizable animals on the planet. Yet, their future is uncertain. Three of the nine subspecies of tiger have already gone extinct and there are estimated to be less than 3,900 tigers left in the wild today, occupying just 4% of their historic range. Fortunately, charities around the world are dedicated to conserving the majestic tiger for future generations. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that protect tigers?

The best charities that protect tigers are Panthera and David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Furthermore, charities such as the Wild Animal Sanctuary and Four Paws offer sanctuary for tigers rescued from abusive and illegal captive situations. 

Whether you want to invest in conservation efforts to protect wild tigers, end the harmful trade of selling tiger parts, or rescue tigers from unsuitable captive environments, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that protect tigers are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Protect Tigers Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate around the world, from North America to Asia, protecting the future of tigers.

Many of the charities on this list focus on reducing habitat loss caused by deforestation, while others focus their attention on tackling the illegal wildlife trade.

Other charities on this list educate local communities in Asia to raise awareness of the plight facing tigers and inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists.

Yet, they all share the same goal: to ensure the survival of wild tigers for generations to come.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Protect Tigers in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that protect tigers (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities That Protect Tigers

Panthera

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

International Tiger Project

Rainforest Trust

Tigers4Ever

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Four Paws

National Geographic Society

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Panthera: A World Where Wild Cats Thrive

Panthera was founded in 2006 by Alan Rabinowitz and Thomas S. Kaplan to protect big cat species. Today, the charity is the world’s leading organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats, including tigers.

Panthera holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Ensuring a future for wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend.”

Panthera

Panthera works to conserve all wild cat species, including tigers, through scientific research, habitat restoration, and collaboration with local communities. For example, they have stationed PatherCams across Asia and Africa to capture illegal poaching activity and prosecute poachers effectively. Furthermore, through their Tigers Forever Program, they monitor tiger populations across 5 key tiger range countries to identify, restore, and connect critical tiger habitats and corridors. They also work with local communities to reduce human-tiger conflict and train new rangers to combat illegal poaching through their Counter-Wildlife Crime Program. 

Today, Panthera works across more than 35 countries to protect big cat species, including tigers, through collaboration with over 45 governmental agencies. For example, to date, 6 out of their 7 Tiger Forever project sites have shown evidence of stable or increasing tiger populations, with numbers almost doubling in Thailand over the last decade. Moreover, the charity has trained over 600 rangers, judges, support staff, analysts, and prosecutors across the globe to better protect vulnerable tiger species from the illegal wildlife trade. 

You can donate directly to Panthera through their website. You can also support the charity through planned giving or by purchasing items from their online shop.

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Ensuring Wildlife Survival

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation was founded in 1981 by wildlife painter David Shepherd to advance conservation efforts after he found 255 dead zebras at a poisoned waterhole in Tanzania. Today, the charity is dedicated to tackling wildlife crime to protect the majestic animals that gave David success as an artist, including tigers. 

According to their financial report, they spent 57% of their income on conservation and 21% on education.

“We focus on saving endangered species and ending the exploitation of wildlife before it’s too late.”

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation supports on-the-ground tiger conservation projects across India, Thailand, and Russia. They also provide funding for undercover investigations to expose the illegal trade of tigers and advocate for a complete ban on the sale and use of tiger parts. In addition, the charity financially supports conservation education programs in Africa and Asia to raise awareness of the threats facing our planet. These programs also showcase wildlife art from various artists to inspire a deeper appreciation for wildlife. 

Today, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation supports and funds 19 conservation projects across 17 countries, including those protecting tigers. Since their founding, they have invested over $11 million in solutions to wildlife crime and species protection initiatives. For example, in 2020, they protected 157,929 acres of critical habitats, trained 919 rangers, and apprehended 319 poachers. In the same year, they countered 408 human-wildlife conflicts and their conservation efforts successfully led to the recovery of endangered Indochinese tiger populations in the DPKY forest complex in Thailand. Not a single tiger was killed in the area that year. 

You can donate directly to David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation through their website. You can also support the charity by symbolically adopting a tiger or by purchasing items from their online shop.

International Tiger Project: Help Us Save the Tiger!

The International Tiger Project was founded in 2010 by Wildlife Conservation International to conserve the entire ecosystem of tigers. Today, the charity runs on-the-ground conservation projects to save tiger species from extinction and save our wild rainforests. 

According to their financial report, the International Tiger Project spent 68% of their income on conservation projects, 24% on investment, and 8% on administration. 

“To promote the survival of tigers in their natural habitat by undertaking genuine, measurable, and effective tiger conservation.”

International Tiger Project

The International Tiger Project conserves remaining wild tiger populations by investing in on-the-ground conservation projects and through their anti-poaching efforts. For example, they have set up and maintained multiple camera traps in the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem, Sumatra, to monitor tiger movements as well as deter illegal wildlife crime activities. Furthermore, they financially support the Wildlife Ambulance and Teaching Program in Sumatra to deliver high-quality veterinary training for local communities and establish a veterinary faculty at Syiah Kuala University to better treat tigers in need.

Since their founding, the International Tiger Project has contributed over $20 million to conservation projects across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. For example, in 2022, they invested $3 million into wildlife initiatives in Laos, Borneo, and Sumatra which ensured the ongoing protection of 124 wild Sumatran Tigers. The funding also provided employment for 70 wildlife protection rangers and secured protection for 906,875 hectares of tiger habitat. In the same year, they also rescued, treated, or released 6 tigers back into the wild. 

ou can donate directly to the International Tiger Project through their website. You can also support the charity by symbolically adopting a tiger or purchasing e-gifts.

Rainforest Trust: Preserving Critical Habitats

Rainforest Trust was founded in 1988 by Byron Swift to create new wildlife reserves in the tropics. Today, the charity is committed to safeguarding the world’s most critical habitats and species, including tigers. 

Rainforest Trust holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Saving endangered wildlife and protecting our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.”

Rainforest Trust

Rainforest Trust protects remaining tiger populations, as well as other endangered species, by safeguarding critical habitats through their Conservation Action Fund. They also work with local communities to raise awareness of the plight facing our natural world and empower people to make a difference. For example, they are working with non-profit Panthera to expand habitat in the Taman Negara National Park which is home to the rare Malayan tiger. They are also working with the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect an at-risk wildlife corridor for tigers in India’s Eastern Ghats by advocating for national recognition of the area by Indian Law. 

Since their founding, Rainforest Trust has successfully safeguarded 45.7 million acres of land around the globe and actively protected 2,776 endangered species, including tigers. For example, in 2017, the charity established the Southern Cardamom National Park, a 1 million-acre area of land in Southwest Cambodia to conserve 27 species threatened with extinction, including the Indochinese tiger. In the same year, they also formed the Mae Nyaw Kee Protected Area in Myanmar which is home to tigers, and provided resources to counter the rising threat of poaching. 

You can donate directly to Rainforest Trust through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a Rainforest Youth Ambassador or purchasing items from their online marketplace.

Tigers4Ever: Giving Wild Tigers a Wild Future

Tigers4Ever was founded in 2010 by Corinne and David Taylor-Smith to raise awareness of the plight facing wild tigers and raise funds for conservation efforts. Today, the charity runs conservation projects across India to ensure the long-term survival of endangered tiger species

According to their financial report, Tigers4Ever spent 85.7% of their expenditure on conservation activities and 10.3% on education. 

“To prevent the extinction of wild tigers.”

Tigers4Ever

Tigers4Ever works to protect wild tigers by educating local communities on the importance of tigers and reducing human-animal conflict. For example, they provide education packs to children around Bandhavgarh to ensure they get a good education and decrease reliance on the land which leads to human-tiger conflict. The charity also runs anti-poaching patrols to remove dangerous snares as well as eliminate habitat loss activities such as logging. In addition, they have set up borewells to ensure wild tigers and other animals have constant access to water. 

Since their founding, Tigers4Ever has reduced wild tiger deaths caused by poaching and poisoning by 98% in and around Bandhavgarh. In addition, they have distributed over 3,400 education packs to children in more than 32 rural villages and installed 13 solar-powered borewell pump systems since 2017 to supply year-round water to 19 locations. These water systems can provide enough water for 105 tigers and countless other wildlife in need. 

You can donate directly to Tigers4Ever through their website. You can also support the charity by fundraising or by purchasing a charity card or e-Card.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary: Rescuing Wild Carnivores From Captivity

The Wild Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1980 by Pat Craig after he rescued a jaguar cub outside of his family’s home in Boulder, Colorado. Today, the sanctuary now cares for lions, tigers, and other carnivores that have been rescued from abusive or unsuitable captive environments. 

The Wild Animal Sanctuary holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Each of our facilities has incredibly unique programs that rescue animals from horrific captive situations and rehabilitate them so they can live and roam freely within large natural habitats with others of their own kind.”

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary operates four facilities in the US to provide care and rehabilitation for wild animals that they have rescued from unsuitable captive environments, including tigers. For example, their 7,000^sq foot round-house in Colorado is a primary area for newly-rescued tigers that are due to go through rehabilitation. During the initial stages, tigers can build relationships with other tigers and roam in the large play area. In addition, the charity educates the public on the captive wildlife crisis through their Education Center. 

Today, the Wild Animal Sanctuary cares for over 950 rehabilitated carnivores, including tigers, bears, and lions, in over 33,000 acres of natural land. For example, in 2017, the charity rescued 39 tigers and 3 bears from Joe Exotic’s roadside zoo, also known as the Tiger King. Another 68 tigers and lions were then rescued from the infamous Tiger King Park, Oklahoma, in 2021 following a 52-page indictment by the US Department of Justice detailing the inhuman treatment and care of their animals. The sanctuary currently houses around 85 tigers rescued from illegal or abusive situations.

You can donate directly to The Wild Animal Sanctuary through their website. You can also support the charity by contributing to their Wild Open Spaces campaign or purchasing items from their gift shop.

Four Paws: Reveal. Rescue. Protect

Four Paws was founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Hungler to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, both wild and domestic. Today, Four Paws is a global organization dedicated to ending all forms of human cruelty to animals, including tigers.

Four Paws holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We envision a world where people treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.”

Four Paws

Four Paws alleviates the suffering of both wild and domestic animals, including tigers, through advocacy. For example, through their Ruthless Trade campaign, they are working to end the commercial trade of captive tigers. They also rescue wild animals from abusive or non-species-appropriate captive situations and relocate them to one of their 12 sanctuaries. They also educate the public on the threats facing wild animals in the farming and tourism industries and operate a rapid response unit to rescue animals in war and disaster zones. 

Today, Four Paws runs sanctuaries for abused animals in 11 countries worldwide. As of 2022, 143 big cats were being cared for in the charity’s 4 big cat-specific sanctuaries, including 28 tigers rescued from abusive situations. For example, they rescued 4 tigers locked up in an abandoned train carriage in Argentina and safely relocated them to the LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in March 2022. Prior to their rescue, the tigers had been confined for over 15 years. Furthermore, the charity has developed a set of protocols, based on behavioral observations of the big cats in their care, to better understand the welfare indicators of big cats.

You can donate directly to Four Paws through their website. You can also support the charity by sponsoring a rescued animal or volunteering.

National Geographic Society: Using Science and Exploration to Inspire Change

The National Geographic Society was founded in 1888 by 33 scholars and scientists to understand more about our natural world. Today, the charity funds and supports conservation and research initiatives around the world to protect endangered species, including tigers. 

The National Geographic Society holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Using the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”

National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society funds and supports a range of explorer-led programs to conserve our natural world and protect endangered species from extinction, such as tigers, and they provide educational resources to inspire the next generation of wildlife researchers. For example, their WonderLab offers learning opportunities and mentorship for aspiring conservation scientists, and they also run an online Explorer Classroom to connect school-aged children with the latest cutting-edge conservation science. Furthermore, their website contains a range of tiger resources to educate the public on these majestic animals. 

Since their founding, the National Geographic Society has remained committed to advancing the fields of science and conservation to protect endangered species like tigers. For example, a 30-page National Geographic magazine ultimately led to the implementation of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, after a 2-year investigation across 32 states into the dangers captive tigers face in the tourism industry. These National Geographic Explorers, named Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup, received the Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling in 2024. 

You can donate directly to the National Geographic Society through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a member or through legacy giving.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: A World Where All Life Thrives

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was founded in 1916 as the Zoological Society of San Diego by Harry M. Wegeforth to build stronger connections between humans and wildlife. Today, the charity is a global organization dedicated to protecting our natural world and all its inhabitants, including tigers. 

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.”

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works to conserve tigers as well as other endangered species around the world through conservation projects, education, and advocacy. For example, through their Conservation Hub in Asia, they are working with scientists to protect tigers in Southeast Asia’s ancient forests and advocating for sustainable palm oil production that protects endangered wildlife from trafficking. They also educate the public on the threats facing endangered wildlife through their education centers based at San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and through their Wildlife Explorers channel. 

Today, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance runs 9 Conservation Hubs around the world and cares for nearly 16,000 animals at their zoo and safari park. In addition, their Biobank contains samples from 450 species that can help to restore genetic variety in threatened species like tigers. Furthermore, their Wildlife Explorers channel broadcasts television programs 24 hours a day to more than 360 children’s hospitals across 13 countries. Furthermore, in 2022, they launched a new project to explore tiger bone consumption and halt the emergence of the tiger bone glue industry. In the same year, they also engaged 12,800 students in their conservation science education programs.

You can donate directly to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance through their website. You can also support the charity by supporting one of their campaigns or becoming a member.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that protect tigers. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help—each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to protecting tigers—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities—and what we can do about it:

Sources

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• Panthera: 15 Wild Years
• Charity Navigator: Panthera
• GuideStar: Panthera
• Panthera: Our Innovations
• Panthera: PoacherCams
• Panthera: Poaching
• Panthera: Tigers Forever
• Panthera: Human-Cat Conflict
• Panthera: Counter Wildlife Crime
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• Panthera: Donate
• Panthera: Planned Giving
• Panthera: Store
• David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Home page
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• David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Engaging Global Communities
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• David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Adopt a Tiger
• David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: Shop
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• Wildlife Conservation International: Home page
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• International Tiger Project: Sumatran Ranger Project
• International Tiger Project: The Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem
• International Tiger Project: Wildlife Ambulance and Veterinary Training
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• International Tiger Project: E-Gifts
• Rainforest Trust: Home page
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• Rainforest Trust: Conserving Cardomom’s Wildlife
• Rainforest Trust: Protecting Southeast Asia’s Rarest Wildlife
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• Rainforest Trust: Shop
• Tigers4Ever: Home page
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• Office of Public Affairs: US Governments Seizes 68 Protected Big Cats and a Jaguar from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe
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• The Wild Animal Sanctuary: Gift Shop
• Four Paws: Home page
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• Charity Navigator: National Geographic Society
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• National Geographic Society: National Geographic Explorers Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup to Receive 2024 Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling
• National Geographic Society: Donate
• National Geographic Society: Become a member
• National Geographic Society: Legacy Giving
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Home page
• Charity Navigator: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: San Diego Zoo
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• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Membership