International Tiger Day 2024: History, Facts and Importance

International Tiger Day or Global Tiger Day is celebrated every year on the 29th of July to spread awareness about the national animal of India - the Tigers. In the last 150 years, the Tigers have seen a massive drop of around 95% in their population, and only around 3000 tigers are left on our planet. It’s high time that we spread awareness and save our tigers. International Tiger Day was founded during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia and was celebrated in the year 2010 for the first time. This day aims to promote awareness of the importance of saving tigers and their natural habitats. Let’s look deep and get more International Tiger Day information.

Why Tiger Day is Celebrated?

Tigers are on the verge of extinction, and International Tiger Day aims to raise awareness of this fact so that their extinction can be declined. Many factors have contributed to their decline, including habitat loss, climate change, hunting, and poaching, and International Tiger Day aims to protect and expand their habitats while also raising awareness of the importance of conservation.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), there are only 3200 tigers left in the world. Since the beginning of the 20th century, 97% of the tiger population has disappeared worldwide due to habitat loss and human activity such as poaching, Illegal Wildlife Trade, and deforestation.

Poaching and trafficking are fueled by the demand for tiger bone, skin, and other body parts. This is having a huge impact on tiger subpopulations, leading to extinctions in specific areas. Tiger skins are frequently used in home decor. Bones are also used in medications and tonics. Illegal criminal syndicates have become involved in the tiger trade to earn profits. It's a very serious matter. It is estimated that it is worth ten billion dollars every year in the United States alone.

History of International Tiger Day

International Tiger Day was founded in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where governments of tiger-range countries met to discuss the severe decline in tiger numbers due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.  Thirteen countries, including India, Russia, and China, agreed to work together to protect tigers.

The summit set a goal to double the wild tiger population by 2022, known as the Tx2 goal. International Tiger Day is crucial for getting governments, organizations, and people worldwide involved in tiger conservation. It stresses the importance of saving tiger habitats, stopping poaching and illegal wildlife trade, and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both tigers and local communities.

Importance of World Tiger Day 

The significance of World Tiger Day is to raise awareness about the declining tiger population and to advocate for global tiger conservation. Around 95% of the tiger population has been lost since the beginning of the 20th century due to various activities. However, despite conservation efforts beginning in the 1970s, the tiger population has been rapidly declining. As a result, at the St. Petersburg Declaration in 2010, tiger range countries resolved to double the number of tigers by 2022. Tigers are one of the most majestic and royal species we've ever seen. They are also known as "Umbrella Species" because their conservation benefits many other species in the same habitat.

How is International Tiger Day Celebrated?

Every year, International Tiger Day is celebrated with a slogan. The slogan of International Tiger Day 2024 is yet to be announced. The slogan of International Tiger Day 2023 is “Stand Strong, Save Tigers All Day Long!” Each tiger has a distinct set of stripes, similar to a fingerprint, which allows us to identify individuals in the wild. Wild tiger populations have declined drastically since the start of the 20th century. Unfortunately, there are more tigers in captivity in the United States than there are in the wild. The IUCN has classified the tiger as endangered. India has 55 tiger reserves spread across 18 states. The population of India's national animal increased according to the 2023 tiger census.

International Tiger Day 2024 Theme

The official theme for International Tiger Day 2024 has yet to be decided. The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) or similar organisations will announce the theme closer to July 29th, 2024. However, regardless of the theme, International Tiger Day remains crucial for three main reasons:

1. It raises awareness about why tigers are important and the challenges they face.

2. It encourages people worldwide to support efforts to protect tigers.

3. It celebrates achievements in tiger conservation and motivates ongoing efforts to safeguard tigers.

Activities Organised for International Tigers Day

On International Tiger Day, various activities are organised globally to raise awareness about tiger conservation and celebrate tigers. Some common activities include:

• Educational Workshops and Seminars: These events educate people about the importance of tiger conservation, habitat protection, and wildlife laws.

• Awareness Campaigns: NGOs, wildlife organisations, and government agencies run campaigns through social media, posters, and events to inform the public about tiger conservation issues.

• Adopt a Tiger: Animal adoptions significantly contribute to the World Wide Fund for Nature's work. They not only help fund projects that work with local communities to monitor tiger movements, reduce poaching, and help people realise the benefits of living near wild tigers – but they also support other important work around the world.

• Field Trips and Eco-Tours: Guided tours to tiger reserves and national parks allow people to observe tigers in their natural habitat and learn about conservation.

• Art and Photography Exhibitions: Exhibitions showcasing tiger-themed art, photography, and documentaries raise awareness and highlight the beauty of tigers.

• Fundraising Events: Charity events and fundraisers collect donations for tiger conservation projects, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching efforts.

• Community Outreach Programs: Local communities participate in tree planting, clean-up drives, and other activities that support wildlife conservation and sustainable living practices.

• International Tiger Day Celebration in School: Schools organise debates, drawing competitions, and quizzes centred around tiger conservation to engage students and encourage environmental awareness.

5 Surprising Facts on Tigers

Here are the surprising facts that we are sure you would have never heard of:

1. The tigers are the largest wild cats in the world.

2. We all identify tigers by their stripes. Do you know that every tiger has unique stripes? Yes! You read it right. The stripes of any two tigers will never match with each other.

3. Most of the tigers are nocturnal animals and are solitary hunters.

4. All the tiger cubs are born blind and only half of the born cubs can survive.

5. The saliva of the tigers is antiseptic. If they get hurt anywhere, they just lick the area.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that humans are largely to blame for the rapidly declining tiger population, it is also true that there are a bunch of new dedicated wildlife enthusiasts working to make the planet more hospitable to tigers. The International Tiger Day 2024 recognises this special bond. Tigers are now a threatened species, and we must all work together to protect these magnificent creatures. While conservation efforts are ongoing throughout the year, International Tiger Day serves as a reminder to get involved in the cause.