WORLD TIGER DAY is on July 29 — a day to celebrate some of the world's most fascinating big cats and raise awareness about their urgent need for conservation.
At one point in time, the world had nine subspecies of tigers. But today, there are only six. While most continental tigers are genetically one species, they have important territorial and behavioral differences. Today, let’s look more closely at one of the most iconic of them all — the Bengal tiger.
Bengal tigers, sometimes called Indian tigers, inhabit the forests of India. About half of all tigers in the wild are Bengals — but while they may be the most common amongst tigers, this subspecies is endangered and their population is declining. Today, there are only about 2,500 Bengal tigers in the wild compared to the 100,000 a hundred years ago.
Bengal tigers are very individual. Each has a distinct coat, with no two tigers possessing the same pattern. Occasionally, a rare mutation turns their pigmented orange fur white — these are known as “snow tigers.” Bengal tigers also have their own territories, with young cubs staying with their mothers for the first two or three years of life, then dispersing onto their own areas.
Although Bengal tigers are powerful nocturnal hunters, capable of eating up to 60 pounds of meat in one sitting, they are generally not dangerous to humans; only sick animals or those whose normal prey have vanished come into contact with humans.
In truth, humans are more dangerous to Bengal tigers. It is because of our actions - human expansion, poaching, and habitat loss due to climate change - that Bengals are ENDANGERED.
This World Tiger Day, let's help these tigers survive and thrive in the wild. Donate with VAKOVAKO today.
