The cats on this page are still living, but are critically endangered. Although there are many other endangered cats, the ones listed here have remaining numbers of less than 1000 in the wild. Conservation efforts are in operation to help keep these animals from disappearing forever.

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

Estimated wild population: 20-40

Number of zoo animals?

South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)

Estimated wild population:  30-80

Number of zoo animals: 48

Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

Estimated wild population: 150-430

Number of zoo animals: 490

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Estimated wild population: 400-500

Number of zoo animals: 235

Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)

Estimated wild population: 400-500?

Number of zoo animals?

Once ranging from Eastern Europe to Asia , this subspecies of lion is now restricted to the Gir forest in Gujarat , western India . Asiatic lions are a sub species of lion, and differ a little from the African lion in size and appearance. Asiatic lions are somewhat smaller, weighing from 150-250 kg. Males have smaller manes, and tufts on their elbows, and both sexes have a flap of skin along the belly. Prides are smaller, usually consisting of two females as opposed to the four or six of African prides, and male Asiatic lions only associate with prides when mating, unlike African lions whose males live with a pride until expelled by a younger challenger. 

Hunting has restricted the number of Asiatic lions, and the population is outgrowing the restricted area. New conservations area must be found, as the lions often come in contact with subsistence farmers living in the Gir forest area. Most conservation efforts and breeding programs take place in zoos, with care being taken to ensure breeding pairs are unrelated to prevent inbreeding.