Three of the nine tiger subspecies have become extinct in the past 100 years. And the fault lies with the fiercest enemy of these creatures: man. The fifth World Tiger Day is celebrated today, 29 July
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Three of the nine tiger subspecies have become extinct in the past 100 years. And the fault lies with the fiercest enemy of these creatures: man. World Tiger Day is celebrated today, 29 July.
Our planet has already lost 97% of all wild tigers. Compared to the 100.000 specimens today we are at an all-time low: 3000 tigers, compared to 3.200 last year. At this rate, all tigers living in the wild could become extinct within 5 years.
This is the sad outcome announced on the occasion of the International Tiger Day.
The man
The continuous demand for skins, bones and other parts of the body, together with the destructive subtraction of the forest habitat, is taking away more and more space from these majestic creatures, which are often associated with the adjective of "ferocious" but which in reality man is exterminating.
Tigers have now lost 93% of their natural habitat due to the expansion of cities and agriculture. The last specimens that still resist our attack are confined to isolated areas of South and Southeast Asia, China and the Far East of Russia.
But it is the Bhutan the real land of tigers, the last country to have an exact estimate of wild tigers. In this small mountain state, between giants India and China, counting tigers was no easy task. 72% of Bhutan is made up of dense forest. The country is also home to tigers at the highest altitude in the world, over 4000 meters. Yet even here there are traps and poachers.
The reduction in their number has significant implications. If you think that fewer and fewer tigers are able to survive in small scattered "islands", you have a greater risk of inbreeding.
Deforestation and climate change
One of the largest tiger populations in the world is found in a large area of mangrove forest shared between India and Bangladesh on the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. This area is home to Bengal tigers and protects coastal regions from storm surges and wind damage.
We bet you didn’t know this about tigers!? #TigerDayhttp://t.co/q98KeOCYdf pic.twitter.com/guruMNfrpW
- Greenpeace East Asia (@GreenpeaceEAsia) July 29, 2015
In your opinion, what would be the most effective ways to end wildlife crime? http://t.co/9diqcplwpB #TigerDay pic.twitter.com/ZEB2IVck9e
- WorldBankSouthAsia (@WorldBankSAsia) July 28, 2015
Global Tiger Day is 29 July! Find out how we’re working to #doubletigers → http://t.co/PYDe5c1SWZ pic.twitter.com/SvwXG6S6kS
- WWF (@WWF) July 26, 2015
Here, however, the'sea level rise caused by climate change threatens to wipe out these forests, the last remaining habitat of this tiger population.
According to a WWF study, without mitigation efforts, sea level rise of about 30 centimeters could destroy almost all of this habitat. But there is also one good news. From a census carried out last May, it emerged that in the last decade the population of the Siberian tiger has grown to around 510 specimens. Ten years ago it was about 60 units lower. According to WWF experts, this success is due to greater protection of the habitat of these animals and a greater commitment by the authorities to conserve this rare animal.
The WWF has set itself the goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, and reaching 6.000.
According to Greenpeace, in Indonesia, 400 Sumatran tigers remain alive, the most at risk, while both in Bali and Java they have already become extinct. The main culprit is the cutting of the woods to make room for palm oil and pulp plantations.
Francesca Mancuso
READ also:
TIGER DAY: WE HAVE LOST 97% OF WILD TIGERS IN A CENTURY
DEFORESTATION: SUMATRA TIGERS AT RISK. THE BATTLE IN SHOTS OF VIDEO
