International Tiger Day
International Tiger Day is an annual observance day celebrated on July 29 to raise awareness of the need to protect tigers and their habitats. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2010, following a proposal from Russia. The day is also known as Global Tiger Day.
International Tiger Day raises awareness for tiger conservation and their habitats after it was found in 2010 that 97% of all wild tigers had disappeared within the last century, with only about 3,000 individuals remaining. A number of countries signed an agreement at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia to prevent the situation from worsening.
The date of July 29 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the signing of the Saint Petersburg Declaration on the Conservation of Tigers in 2010. The declaration was signed by 13 tiger range countries, including Russia, India, China, and Bangladesh. The declaration committed the countries to increasing tiger numbers by 2022.
International Tiger Day is an opportunity to celebrate tigers’ beauty and power and learn about their threats. It is also a time to take action to protect tigers. There are many things that individuals can do to help, such as reducing their consumption of tiger products, supporting conservation organizations, and getting involved in local conservation efforts.
This theme highlights the importance of tigers to the environment and to human society. Tigers are apex predators, which means they play a vital role in the food chain. They also help to keep populations of prey animals in check. Tigers are also a source of pride and inspiration for many people worldwide.
See also: The Very Important Key Role Tigers Play to the Ecosystem.
International Tiger Day is important to raise awareness of the need to protect tigers. By taking action, we can help to ensure that these magnificent creatures will continue to roam the wild for generations to come.
How to celebrate:
- Be aware of illegal wildlife trade that includes tiger skin or tiger products such as those used in some forms of traditional medicine.
- Raise awareness on the issue.
- Adopt a tiger through WWF – their efforts fund projects that work with local communities working to save tigers.
- Visit a local zoo to learn about the importance of the conservation of tigers.
- Donate to a tiger protection charity or organization.
Fun Facts:
- India is home to over half of the world’s tigers.
- Tigers are the world’s largest cat and the third largest carnivore on land.
- Tiger comes from the ancient Persian word “taig,” meaning fast and sharp.
- Tigers are the only cat species that are entirely striped. When shaved, their skin has the identical stripe as their fur.
- Each tiger has a unique set of stripes, like a fingerprint, that helps us identify individuals in the wild.
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