This Sunday on 29 July, the world will come together and celebrate our planet's wild tigers. Discover how you canĀ help this endangered big cat.
We see tigers everywhere - as fashion motifs, in our children's books, and on our cereal boxes. In parts of Asia, tigers are even revered as gods. Despite this, tigers in the wild are endangered.
Did you know that tigers are the largest species of cat and one of the most iconic animals on the planet? There may have been over 100,000 tigers roaming this planet about a century ago.
But by 2010, we had lost over 95% of the worldās wild tiger population to rampant poaching and habitat loss. With only around 3,900 of them left in the wild, every tiger counts.
So why should you care about tigers?Ā Being part of our planetās natural heritage, they have great cultural and historical significance. Yet they are more than just a magnificent animal ā they are also crucial for the ecosystems in which they live.
As top predators of the food chain, tigers keep populations of prey species in check, which in turn maintains the balance between herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Balanced ecosystems are not only important for wildlife but for people too ā both locally, nationally and globally.
People rely on forests too, whether it is directly for their livelihoods or indirectly for food and products used in our daily lives. And as the effects of climate change become more apparent, natural forests are increasingly important; providing fresh water, clean air and regulating the climate to limit extreme weather, such as droughts and storms.
Tigers are also an āumbrella speciesā ā meaning their conservation also conserves many other species in the same area. And by protecting tigers, we are protecting forests ā something which ultimately benefits us all.
As Global Tiger Day approaches, join us to show your support for nature and this incredible species. Start by following the life storiesĀ of wild tigers and connect with them to learn what's happening on the ground.
With your voice, we can turn things around. šŖšÆ
