[i]
DCL
Tigers are the largest cat on the planet. They weigh between 240 and 500 lbs and their roar can be heard from two miles away. Over the past 100 years tiger populations have suffered irrevocable harm. The Daily Star reported this week that the Royal Bengal tiger may go extinct by the turn of the century. With roughly 3,200 remaining in the entire world, the threats to the species are urgent and action must be taken swiftly, the story warned. Can we save this iconic species from disappearing forever when we weren't so lucky with the strikingly similar and now extinct Caspian tiger?
The Caspian Tiger Disappears
One astonishing tiger species, the Caspian tiger has already disappeared completely. It is reported that the last Caspian tiger was shot in 1959 by a farmer trying to protect his livestock. But people disagree on the exact extinction year. The tiger had similar coloring to that of the Bengal, but was less massive and had generous tuffs of fur around its cheeks. The tiger's hair would grow very long in the winter time. It was the westernmost species of tiger, found in Russia, China, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The demise of the tiger came as a result of over hunting. The Russian Government worked heavily to eradicate the species in order to both protect livestock and as a result of a land reclamation at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the vicious over hunting that led to the end of this truly mystical creature is happening to the Bengal tiger today.
We Can Still Save The Bengal Tiger But We Must Act Today!
The same eradication that caused the Caspian tiger to go extinct, promises to do the same with the Bengal tiger. While hunting the tigers is now illegal, poaching is still doing irreparable damage to the species. By 1993 the trade of tiger parts had decreased dramatically, according to the Save the Tiger Fund. But in 2005, entire populations of tigers began to mysteriously disappear again in India. I recently wrote that the disappearance was later linked to a heightened demand for tiger parts, which include tiger skins used as clothing and décor. It's also linked to the persistent demand for tiger bone, which is used in traditional Asian health remedies. Stop this malicious practice by donating to the Save the Tiger Fund. The group focuses on the largest issue, the needless hunting of these gorgeous creatures for the consumption of tigers parts. You can also report poaching crimes to Project Tiger.
