Tigers

Tigers are one of the most dominant, ferocious animals living on earth's grounds. They are the largest animal of all the Asian big cats and are easily recognizable from their dark vertical stripes and reddish/orange fur. Unlike several species of cats, tigers enjoy swimming and playing in the water. Though they are a part of the first animals that we learn about as a child, these creatures are considered endangered species.

Even though they are endangered, after a century of decline, the population of wild tigers is slowly creeping upwards. Tiger populations are increased in countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, India, and China. About 4,000 wild tigers are remaining and there is still much work yet to be done to protect these species and instill that they don't go extinct.

Several organizations have taken the mission of protecting endangered tigers to their own hands. These organizations include:

- The Save the Tiger Fund-Panthera Partnership: This organization focuses on stopping activities such as poaching and hunting so that tigers can live a safer life.

- The Corbett Foundation: This organization is aimed to promote environmental awareness, educate local communities, and help manage wildlife conservation.

- Big Cat Rescue: This organization is dedicated to homing and caring for the rehabilitation of all the big cat species, including tigers, and also helps educate people about these animals.

General Information About Tigers:

The two recognized species of tigers are the continental(scientific name of Panthera tigris tigris) and Sunda tigers(scientific name of Panthera tigris sondaica). They live in tropical rainforests, grasslands, swamps, and savannas. Tigers generally hunt alone and target their prey. Tigers are very solitary creatures and mark their domain with urine, scratches, scrapes, and different markings. Tigers are about 220-660 pounds and can eat more than 80 pounds of meat at once. Tigers give birth to two to four cubs every year and these cubs gain their independence around the age of two years. Even though there are many tiger cubs given birth to, the juvenile mortality of tigers is extremely high so half of all the cubs given birth to don't live past two years old.