Let's talk tigers! This WORLD TIGER DAY, take some time to learn about the importance of tigers — and why they matter.
WORLD TIGER DAY is finally here! All week we’ve been learning about different tigers, from Bengal tigers to Siberian tigers to Sumatran tigers. Now it’s time to bring it all together. What do these fascinating creatures have in common — and why is it so important to protect them?
First, tigers are ancient. They’ve been on the planet for over 2 million years, even longer than humans. Today, their population has declined by over 97% over the last hundred years — with fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild. Over 8,000 tigers live in captivity, but this is not a solution. Tigers in captivity are usually housed in close quarters with other tigers and animals, despite being solitary creatures, and are forced to pose for photos for a traveler’s own benefit. And far too often, they are sold for medicinal purposes or as pets.
