These documentaries about tigers show majestic and elusive creatures that have long captured the fascination and awe of humanity. Their striking stripes, combined with an aura of raw power and grace, make them iconic symbols of the wild.
As charismatic apex predators, tigers have played a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems for centuries. Unfortunately, these magnificent big cats face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, pushing several species to the brink of extinction.
Documentaries About Tigers
These films delve into the intricate lives of these enigmatic creatures, shedding light on their behaviour, conservation challenges, and tireless efforts made to ensure their survival.
The documentaries about tigers in this list are a mix of more “mainstream” documentaries as well as some excellent free ones you can watch on YouTube.
Tigerland (2019)
Tigerland focuses on the efforts to save the endangered Amur tigers in the Russian Far East. The film follows the work of Pavel Fomenko, a Russian scientist and conservationist, and his team as they strive to protect the Amur tigers from poaching and habitat loss.
“Tigerland” explores the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures and the people dedicated to their conservation.
The documentary delves into the broader context of tiger conservation, examining the interconnected issues of illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, and the human-wildlife conflict.
It highlights the importance of preserving the unique ecosystems that support these big cats and the collaborative efforts required for their survival.
Broken Tail: A Tiger’s Last Journey (2011)
Broken Tail: A Tiger’s Last Journey follows the story of a young tiger named Broken Tail in Ranthambhore National Park in India. Broken Tail was a popular and charismatic tiger whose life was documented by filmmaker Colin Stafford-Johnson over several years.
The documentary explores Broken Tail’s life, his interactions with other tigers, and the challenges he faced in the wild. Tragically, the film also captures the events leading up to Broken Tail’s untimely death.
The documentary sheds light on the conservation issues facing wild tigers, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. It serves as a poignant reminder of the threats these majestic animals face in the wild and the importance of conservation efforts to protect them.
Siberian Tiger Quest (2010)
Siberian Tiger Quest follows wildlife filmmaker Sooyong Park on his quest to document the elusive Siberian tiger in the Russian wilderness. Sooyong Park spent several years living in the Russian Far East, enduring harsh conditions, to capture footage of the Siberian tiger in its natural habitat.
The documentary provides insights into the behaviour, habits, and challenges faced by Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers, which are the largest cat species and are endangered.
It offers a unique and intimate look at the lives of these magnificent creatures while addressing the conservation issues they face, including poaching and habitat loss.
If you’re interested in wildlife documentaries about tigers and the conservation of endangered species, “Siberian Tiger Quest” provides a captivating exploration of the efforts to study and protect the Siberian tiger in its remote and challenging environment.
The Tiger Next Door (2009)
The Tiger Next Door focuses on the issue of private ownership of exotic animals in the United States, particularly the ownership of tigers.
The documentary follows the story of Dennis Hill, a man who keeps over 20 tigers on his property in Flat Rock, Indiana. The film explores the complex and controversial world of private ownership of big cats and the lack of regulation surrounding the exotic pet trade in the United States.
The documentary sheds light on the challenges and dangers associated with keeping such powerful and potentially dangerous animals as pets. It raises questions about the ethical treatment of these animals, as well as the safety concerns for both the owners and the public.
Overall, “The Tiger Next Door” is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the consequences of lax regulations regarding the ownership of exotic animals and the potential risks involved in keeping them as pets.
The Sumatran Tiger – The Last of Their Kind
The Sumatran Tiger explores one of the most endangered tiger species in the world. In January 2009 a resin tapper was brutally attacked and killed in the forests of Sumatra’s Jambi Province and in the following months, there were 7 more deaths, each more gruesome than the last.
The culprit is a 200 lb Sumatran tiger, a critically endangered species, but this isn’t the only crime here. Over 60% of Sumatra’s rainforest has disappeared in the last 25 years, cleared by global paper companies and for oil palm plantations and leaving behind a biological desert.
Man is not normally on the menu for these tigers but the destruction of their habitat and prey means this majestic predator has been left with no choice and with less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild it is expected to be the first predator to go extinct this century.
But there is hope which lies with a small group of dedicated individuals and in a race against the clock specially trained forest rangers must find the man-eater before local hunters do. With so few left in the wild, Indonesia’s Taman Safari must breed a pure bloodline of Sumatran tigers to save the species from extinction.
This is one of the best documentaries about tigers to watch that takes a look at the Sumatran tiger.
Siberian Tiger: The World’s Most Powerful Predator
Siberian Tiger takes place in the Ussuri taiga in Russia and the core story introduces you to ancient Udege legends, investigates the secret habits of the largest cats on Earth, and tells about the peculiarities of the tiger census, which takes place once every 10 years.
Tigress Blood (2014)
Tigress Blood follows four tigers in the forests of Central India where the tigers are not behaving like most tigers do.
Tigers are solitary hunters, but this documentary explores how these tigers are breaking the rules of the normal way that tigers live. Instinct tears them apart, but blood ties them together. Which will they choose?
India’s Immense Love for Tigers: Counting Tigers
India’s Immense Love for Tigers explores exactly what the title says and the efforts of the Indian government to protect the species in the country.
Every four years, the Indian government conducts a survey to check the health of India’s tiger population. Watch an inspiring story about wildlife preservation on counting tigers in India.
Man Eating Tigers of The Sundarbans
This documentary takes a look into the tigers of the Sundarbans in the Bay of Bengal, which are some of the most dangerous tigers in the world, often attacking humans.
Why do the tigers behave like this and what is the local population doing to protect themselves while not harming the protected tigers?
This documentary explains the situation in one of the hardest environments for tigers to live.
Adorable Tiger Cub Moments Part 1 | BBC Earth
Let’s end this list of the best documentaries about tigers with simply an adorable one:
Tigers
These documentaries about tigers serve as powerful tools for education and advocacy, compelling viewers to reflect on the importance of preserving the planet’s biodiversity and protecting these awe-inspiring felines for future generations.
For more big cats have a look at the 10 best documentaries about lions.
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