Tiger
at Audubon Zoo
Find Me with the App | Visit Me at the Zoo
Meet our Tiger at Audubon Zoo
Sometimes a loud, recurrent roar rings out across Audubon Zoo. That would be Liem, the Zoo’s magnificent male tiger (Panthera tigris), making himself known. Visit Liem at the Zoo and keep scrolling to learn more about his wild cousins and what the future holds for them.
Tiger Fast Facts
- Conservation Status: Endangered - very high risk of extinction.
- Habitat/Range: varied forests of east and southeast Asia
- Diet: Carnivore—wild boar, deer, and other prey
- Size: Males: 5–6 ft long, plus a 2-3 ft tail, 220–660 lbs
- Lifespan: 10–15 years in the wild; up to 20 years in human care
- Social Structure: Solitary
- Fun Fact:Tigers share more than 95% of their DNA with domestic cats.
See Me at the Zoo
See Liem, the Zoo’s male tiger, in his outdoor habitat in Asian Domain.
No two tigers have the same stripe pattern.
Tigers are the largest of all wild cats.
Lions are the closest living relatives of tigers.
Liem is a Malayan tiger, a critically endangered subspecies.
Tiger Habitat & Range
Tigers still prowl the forests of India, China, Russia, and other Asian countries, but this big cat’s range has shrunk to a mere fraction of what it once was.
Learn More About Tiger Habitat & Range
Historic vs. Current Range
Habitat
Tiger Behavior
A tiger’s striped coat, although bold against a plain backdrop, disappears into the dense foliage of the forest, providing camouflage. All the better to stalk unsuspecting prey…
Learn More About Tiger Behavior
Hunting
Tigers eat only meat, which means they are hunters. They move through the forest alone, usually at night, stalking prey quietly and attacking in a quick burst of speed and strength. Tigers can consume 80 pounds of meat at one time, but their typical meal is much smaller. They will eat until they are full and then hide the carcass under dirt and leaves to return to later. As top-of-the-food-chain predators, tigers play an important ecological role in regulating prey species and maintaining balance in an ecosystem.
Communication
Tigers are solitary, territorial, and fully aware of the risk that other tigers pose. These biggest-of-all cats require large territories to find adequate prey, and they avoid conflict with other tigers by constantly communicating territorial boundaries. They do so by raking and scraping, scent-marking with urine and feces, and vocalizing. They don’t just roar – they also grunt and chuff.
Raising Cubs
A group of tigers traveling together is almost certainly a mother with cubs. Female tigers give birth to 2-4 cubs per litter, on average, and raise their cubs for approximately 2 years. A mother’s protection does not guarantee survival, though. Only half of tiger cubs make it to their second birthday, and less than half of those survivors will live to establish their own territories and reproduce. Life is tough, even for apex predators such as tigers.
Tiger Conservation
Tigers live in Asia, one of the most densely populated and rapidly developing regions of the world. These big cats are under tremendous pressure but, through concerted conservation efforts, are beginning to make a comeback in some parts of their range.
Learn More About Tiger Conservation
Threats
Tigers are threatened by illegal poaching, habitat loss, competition for prey, and the inevitable conflict that arises from venturing too close to human settlements.>
Conservation Efforts
Since 2010, the 13 countries where tigers live have been coordinating at the highest levels on a Global Tiger Recovery Program. Their efforts are beginning to reap positive results. After a century of decline, wild tiger numbers are now ticking upward in India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Russia. Tiger populations are likely still shrinking in Malaysia and Myanmar, however.
To save tigers from extinction, it is essential to create protected wildlife areas and eradicate poaching. The single most important factor in tiger conservation, however, is winning the trust of local communities. This means acknowledging the very real danger that tigers pose, implementing measures to protect people and livestock, understanding the priorities and values of local communities, and giving them an economic stake in wildlife conservation. Then and only then does protecting tigers and their habitat become a net-positive proposition.>.
Tiger FAQ
Where can I see the tiger at Audubon Zoo?
You can visit Liem the Tiger in his outdoor habitat in Asian Domain.
Check the Zoo map or download the Zoo app to use the interactive map and easily locate his habitat during your visit.
What does the tiger eat at the Zoo?
The Zoo’s tiger receives a specially formulated carnivore diet that includes meat, bones, and enrichment items to encourage natural behaviors.
Are tigers part of any conservation program?
Audubon Zoo participates in Action Indonesia, a global species management plan (GSMP) overseen by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) that is focused on saving some of Indonesia’s most unique and endangered species, including Sumatran Tigers. Several years ago, Action Indonesia joined forces with the Sumatran Tiger GSMP to extend their joint reach and impact.
How can I help tigers in the wild?
Become an Audubon member! Audubon Nature Institute is dedicated to protecting wildlife and the habitats they depend upon all around the world. Our conservation work is supported directly by our guests and members. When you buy a ticket or join as a member, you are contributing to species-focused conservation efforts across the planet.
Updated January 2026
