"Doubling tigers is about tigers, about the whole of nature - and it's also about us" - Marco Lambertini, Director General WWF
The tiger is one of the largest predators in the world and belongs to the cat family. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were about 100 thousand tigers in the world, but by 2010 only 3.2 thousand individuals remained. Due to urban and agricultural expansion, predators have lost much of their natural habitat. And poachers and the illegal wildlife trade have put tigers at risk of extinction. In some regions, for example in the Caucasus and Central Asia, tabby cats have disappeared completely. These animals are listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
10 Facts About Tigers:
Tigers populate 13 countries where they roam naturally: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam;
Tigers are the largest cat species in the world, and the third-largest carnivore on land. In fact, Siberian tigers are the largest subspecies of tigers and weigh up to 660 pounds;
At top speed, tigers clock nearly 40 mph;
The name of a large wild cat with large black strips comes from the ancient Persian word “taig” meaning fast and sharp;
A tigers "turf" can be as large as 386 square miles or 1000 square km.;
Like other cats, tigers are carnivores that prey on smaller animals that are herbivores. In order to maintain a balance between the plant-eating animals and the vegetation, tigers keep balance in with ecological balance;
An adult tiger consumes up to 88 pounds of meat in one meal;
The average lifespan of a wild tiger is 10 to 15 years;
Unlike most big cats, tigers are powerful swimmers. Not only do they swim, but they also swim great distances to hunt or cross rivers. Young tigers often play in water and adults lounge in streams or lakes to stay cool during the heat of the day;
Tigers are the only cat species that are entirely striped. When shaved, their skin has the identical stripe as their fur.
One of the main goals of celebrating International Tiger Day in different countries is to inform the public about the problem of extinction of tigers and ways to protect them. Every year on July 29, the world celebrates International Tiger Day, which was established in 2010 at the International Forum “Tiger Summit” in St. Petersburg on the problems of preserving the population of this predatory animal.
Programs to restore the tiger population.
The initiators of the establishment of the date were 13 states that participated in the forum, in which tigers still live. During the event, a tiger population restoration program was also developed and adopted, designed for 2010-2022, the goal of which is to double the number of tigers over the designated period.
NEPAL
This Global Tiger Day, results from a tiger monitoring study conducted in Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal were released – showing an increase in tiger numbers. To mark the day, in Kathmandu, the government together with WWF Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation and Zoological Society of London organized a panel discussion focusing on the scientific, societal and economic rationale behind protecting tigers, including the need to address wildlife crimes. The panel comprised representatives from the local community, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, tourism and infrastructure development sectors, and the government.
"Nepal has achieved zero poaching of rhinos over several years, but the threats from poaching and illegal wildlife trade still loom large over Nepal’s tiger conservation efforts. It is the Tx2 goal that guides us through these challenges to ensure this iconic species is better protected, so we can save all by saving just one" - Ghana Gurung, WWF-Nepal Senior Conservation Program Director.
CHINA
There is evidence of tigers returning and breeding in Northeast China. The country is currently conducting tiger surveys to gain an estimate of numbers. This Global Tiger Day, WWF-China joined forces with WWF-Russia to host a two-day festival in China. The festival played host to government officials, tiger experts and corporate delegations and involved presentations by officials, representatives from the nature reserves, and WWF offices. Small-group discussions between corporations and nature reserves about tiger conservation were held, and a field trip for corporate delegations was arranged.
INDIA
India is home to over half of the world’s wild tigers – an estimated 2,226. Global Tiger Day was observed across all WWF tiger landscapes with much fervor and enthusiasm. The teams organized week-long celebrations to build awareness on tiger conservation and develop a stronger bond between wildlife and people. Thousands of local communities and young minds were encouraged to take up conservation issues and spare a thought for the ‘tiger’.
A total of almost 4,000 individuals, comprising people from all age groups, were reached out to during this year’s celebrations across Satpuda Maikal, Sundarbans, Terai Arc, Western Ghats Nilgiris and Western India Tiger Landscapes. The Thumbs Up For Tigers campaign was organised across all locations where showed their support and commitment for doubling the number of wild tigers.
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