They’re cute, they’re scary, and they’re stripey; tigers are one of the world's most iconic and most favourite animals. However, Panthera Tigris’ popularity has caused many problems for the ferocious feline; the biggest issue being that they’re a large part of the illegal wildlife trade and poaching. Other unfortunate situations that result in a declining tiger population are climate change, wildlife/human conflict, and habitat loss and fragmentation. These challenges have resulted in the tiger population dropping a whopping 95% since the beginning of the 20th century.
In 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, they created International Tiger Day to raise awareness for tigers and the atrocities that they face in the wild. Since then, organizations such as WWF, WPSI, GTRP, and many governments around the world have been working hard to double the number of tigers in the wild to over 6000 by this year. Zoos across the world are doing their part as well, no matter how small. At the Greater Vancouver Zoo, our Siberian Tiger Hana is part of a Species Survival Program. This program helps to match up potential mates for tigers in zoos for the purpose of breeding, to help ensure the survival of the species.
‘Why tigers?’ you might be asking. Tigers play a super important role in maintaining the balance of large ecosystems. A tigers diet consists mainly of herbivores, thus they help keep the population of vegetation-eating animals in balance with available food sources. It may sound crazy, but saving tigers will also protect and maintain areas that are full of water, which supply 800 million people in Asia. Protecting tiger numbers means protecting tiger forests, which in turn limits flooding, droughts, and the effects of climate change.
Apart from the immediate effects on the environment and ecosystems, tigers are also important symbolically in many nations and cultures. Most notably, the tiger is the National animal of India. Its strength, power, grace, and agility are respected and acknowledged by the people of India. In Hindu culture, the tiger is a divine creature; much like in Buddhism where the tiger is also seen as a divine and sacred animal that protects the faith. In Hindu mythology, the tiger is associated with Shiva, the god of destruction. Tigers are also considered to be the vehicles of other gods and goddesses such as Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Durga. In China, the tiger is known as the king of all beasts. This year according to the Chinese zodiac is the Year of the Tiger; the tiger symbolizes bravery, cruelty, and power, and is seen as a figure that fights evil and protects others. Kids wear hats and shoes with tigers on them for good luck.
The world needs tigers; most importantly for the protection of ecosystems but also for their symbolism and meaning in cultures and to people. This International Tiger Day, think about the beautiful tigers in this world and what they mean to you, and if maybe there is something you can do to help the conservation of tigers or endangered species in your local ecosystems.
