Why it matters: International Tiger Day and protecting tigers for future generations.
Description and International Tiger Day Printable version) Poster for ‘Save Tigers,’ 2007Tigress and cubs Young tiger International Tiger Day is celebrated on 29 July. Tigers are not only fearsome predators but have also been icons of strength, elegance, and the amazing biodiversity of life on Earth. But for all their cultural and environmental importance, tigers in the wild are being subjected to such intense pressure that they are edging toward extinction.
International
Tiger Day is a reminder that to save the tiger, we must save the landscape. From
forests and grasslands to rivers and villages, tigers are our
terrestrial canaries. This article details the history of International Tiger
Day, the threats facing tigers, global conservation efforts and what people can
do to ensure that future generations hear the voice of the tiger in the wild.
What Is Tiger Day? Is It the Same As International Tiger Day?
When
and Where Does Global Tiger Day Occur? International Tiger Day is held annually
on July 29 and was first established in2000 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger
Summit attended by tiger range states, along with a number of other countries,
environmental organizations, and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
"The
objective was clear: prevent any further loss of wild tigers and to catalyze
conservation action at the range, national, and global levels." (ref3).
Tiger
numbers had fallen by over 95% in the previous century. Under the
Tx2 initiative, they committed to working together to double the global
population of wild tigers.
Find out
more about the campaign from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF):
Visit:
https://www.worldwildlife.org
Why Tigers Matter So Much in the Natural World
Tigers are apex predators,
their presence at the top of the food chain helps maintain the health of the
ecosystems under which they live.
Ecological Importance of Tigers.
• Control prey population
• Balance in their forest
ecosystems
• Conserve biodiversity
• Create and
maintain habitat for thousands of other species
When tiger numbers fall,
ecosystems spiral out of control. Uncontrolled populations of herbivores may
severely overgraze forests and cause erosion, and can also have negative
effects on water quality and other wildlife.
How Many Tigers is Left? Wild tigers thriving in the wild today?
That
number is up from a historic low, but still high enough to be considered
dangerously low: there are an estimated 5,500 wild tigers in the world, as of
latest estimates.
Countries with Wild Tigers
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Bhutan
Russia
Indonesia
Thailand
Malaysia
India
contains more than 70% of the world’s wild tigers and is a leader in tiger
conservation worldwide.
Source:
Global Tiger Forum
https://globaltigerforum.org
The Most Serious Threats to Tigers Today
Tigers
continue to be under threat, however, despite conservation efforts.
1. Loss of Habitat
Deforestation,
farming, mining, and city development cause the destruction and division of the
habitation of tigers.
2. Poaching and Illegal Trade in Wildlife Products
Tigers
are hunted for their skins, bones and other body parts, which are traded
illegally despite global bans.
For more
information, visit TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network at:
https://www.traffic.org
3. Conservation Hit by Human-Wildlife Conflict
As
human populations grow, so too do tigers and people meet, with injury and death
often suffered by both.
4. Changes in Climate
Sea
level rise is endangering mangrove ecosystems such as the Sundarbans and
changing precipitation patterns have lowered prey availability.
Global Conservation Initiatives for Tigers
Tigers Reserves and Protected Areas
Tiger
habitats and prey species have been protected by the creation of national parks
and reserves by several governments.
Poaching Control
•
A year-round heavy presence of patrols
•
Surveillance technology
•
Tougher wildlife legislation
Community
Involvement
Community
is key to success in conservation. Program now promotes
sustainable livelihoods, and farmers are paid for livestock loses.
National
Geographic: Conservation wins from the pros:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com
Awareness-raising aspects of International Tiger Day
International
Tiger Day has an essential part to play in:
•
Raising public awareness
•
Calling for worldwide cooperation
•
Helping to raise funds for conservation
•
Motivating young people to take action
Zoos,
wildlife organizations, schools and governments take advantage of the day to
disseminate information, organize events and advocate responsible wildlife
tourism.
What People Can Do to Help Protect Tigers
You don’t have to be a
conservationist to help.
How You Can Help Tigers in the Wild
• Sponsor a wildlife organization with a proven track record
• Don't buy products connected to deforestation
• Just say no to wildlife products
• Increase awareness on social media
• Opt for sustainable
eco-tourism
When small acts of kindness
and awareness are adopted worldwide, tremendous change is possible.
Cultural and symbolic value of tigers is high
Tigers
are deeply cultural animals in Asia. They feature in folklore, art, religion
and national emblems. In many cultures, the tiger is a symbol of bravery,
protection and strength.
Losing
tigers would be like losing centuries of cultural identity as well as an
irreplaceable wealth of biodiversity."
Hope for the Future: Tigers on the Rise?
There
is reason for optimism. Countries such as India, Nepal and Russia have seen
their tiger numbers stabilize or increase as a result of robust conservation
measures and public consciousness.
International
Tiger Day keeps this tide strong by reminding the world that conservation can
succeed when science, policy and people come together.
Conclusion: Let the Tiger’s Roar Be Heard
However,
International Tiger Day is not just a day to be marked in the calendar – it is
a call to the world to take action. Tigers have no voice, but that makes their
survival reliant on us. To save the tiger is to save the forest, the rivers,
and life itself.
When
we roar for tigers, we roar for a greener planet.
Let's
make sure the wild sound of the tiger’s roar never stops reverberating – not
just in stories, but in living forests for generation after generation.
FAQs: International Tiger Day and Conservation
1. When is International Tiger Day?
On
July 29 annually Special Day International Tiger Day International Tiger Day is
observed on July 29 every year.
2. Why was it created?
It
was developed to draw attention to the vanishing tiger population and encourage
worldwide tiger conservation.
3. How many wild tigers are there?
There are
around 5,500 wild tigers in the world.
4. What is the greatest threat to the tiger?
The
largest threats are habitat destruction and illegal poaching.
5. How can you help in the conservation of tigers?
Support
conservation groups, raise awareness and never eat wildlife.