Let's look at the fate of three subspecies of tigers that have vanished from our planet since 1937 - the Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers. They've become extinct because of factors like overhunting (Ouch! Those tiger skins are costly, but costly to the environment too!), competing with humans for food (Yep, we are really that selfish!), illegal trade, and habitat loss and fragmentation.

But hey, what happens when a top predator goes extinct? Take tigers for instance. They play the role of "apex" predators in their ecosystems. With their extinction, the balance of their ecosystems got shaken up, leading to the rise of prey populations (Deer party time!). This increase in herbivores could lead to overconsumption of plants, affecting the natural growth and progression of forests. Imagine a world with more Bambi but less green! 🦌🍃

Think about it like this: Your annoying school bully suddenly moves away. Now, the nerds of the class, who were once 'preyed on', will gain confidence and start ruling the schoolyard, changing the whole school dynamic.

Next, let's talk about the Siberian (also called Amur) tiger, the largest big cat. These majestic creatures were once spread across northern China, Korean Peninsula, and eastern Russia. But increasing human settlements led to habitat loss, hunting, and a massive reduction in their population.

Trade in body parts for medicinal purposes, especially in East Asian countries, is another threat. So remember, the next time you see tiger parts being sold - say NO! 🚫🐾

In a shocking recent report, it was revealed that the effective population of the Amur tiger is fewer than 14! Such a small population size reduces the genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to diseases or rare genetic disorders. This also lessens their chances of survival in the future. So, they're basically hanging by a thread.

Think about this like your favorite candy store. If they only have 14 candies left, and all of them are the same type (i.e., low genetic diversity), it’s not gonna be fun, is it? They're vulnerable to going out of business.