The critically endangered tiger could soon join the dragon as a zodiac creature that exists only in legend. The Chinese lunar calendar year known as the Year of the Tiger began on February 14th with only 3200 tigers left in the wild.

This number is down from 100,000 wild tigers in the year 1900. Current estimates say that China, where tigers originated from, has only 50 wild tigers remaining. However, international conservation groups are using the year designation to their advantage and planning to work together to restore tiger numbers, with a goal of doubling current numbers by 2022 through captive breeding, reserves and anti-poaching programs.

To mark the start of the Year of the Tiger, the Nepalese government expanded their Bardia National Park by 347 square miles to increase wild tiger habitat. While this marks a small improvement in the wild tigers’ range, the species still faces persecution both in Asia and the United States, as shown in a recent World Wildlife Fund map. Tigers in Asia are under threat of poaching as a result of folk medicine traditions and demand for meat and skins.

However, the United States is also responsible for many tigers held in captivity. In the US, tigers are even being bred in puppy mill-like facilities to meet demand for private ownership and meat. 26 states outlaw the private ownership of tigers, but nine states have no regulations. Texas has poorly-enforced regulations on tiger ownership, and has the highest number of captive tigers in the US. Current estimates show that the US has a total of over 5,000 tigers in captivity, even more than exist in the wild.

Many US states certainly need more stringent policies on tiger ownership if this species is to be restored. However, there is still hope for tiger populations to flourish once more in Asia. Through the Endangered Species Act and well-designed policies officials have been able to restore bison and gray wolf populations from severely low numbers. With careful planning, collaboration and crackdowns on exploitation in countries within the the tiger’s range, Tigger’s cousins may yet roam free when next Year of the Tiger comes 12 years from now.