Today is International Tiger Day so we are going to turn our thoughts to Tigers, the biggest of the large cats, and of course endangered. 

Today is here to bring awareness around the world to people about tiger conservation, and to make people aware of promoting a worldwide system of protecting the tiger and its habitat.  The idea is if you know a bit about it you will be more inclined to recognise their plight and try to tell people about these fantastic animals.

There are a lot of factors causing them to be close to extinction, and we should do our best to make sure these magnificent animals are here forever for the next generations to enjoy.

Poaching and illegal trading are the biggest of the threats, and of course, they involve man!  There is a high demand for tiger bone, skin and body parts. For some reason, people seem to think Tiger Skins are for show in the home. Well, they aren't. They belong to the Tiger and look a lot better on a Tiger than on your floor, draped over a sofa or hung on your wall.  The bones are used in medicine. Of course, criminals have become involved, and it is very profitable. In the USA, it is thought to be worth over 10 billion dollars a year. So, it needs to be stopped and we can all help. 

Their habitat is being taken away from them due to access roads, timber plantations and agriculture.

There is a very small population of wild tigers around today. Their territories are getting smaller and smaller, and this causes conflict between them and humans as they move around trying to find a new habitat. Also, small groups can cause inbreeding. 

The wild tiger populations have declined by about 95% since the start of the 20th century,  and there are only about 3900 left in the wild. A very sobering thought. In fact, there are more in captivity in the US than there are in the wild, and that is so wrong. They are wild animals. Let them be wild and live as they should. 

To do your bit you could adopt a tiger and the money goes towards reducing the poaching and to fund projects in local places to monitor their movements. Each tiger has its unique set of strips so can be identified by those people who are trying to look after them.  

You could raise funds for a tiger charity, with something like a coffee and cake morning. Now I know that appeals to some, and you can explain what it is for, and the more people who know and realise the plight of these animals, the better.

Read about or watch a video about the tigers and their problems, it will be an eye-opener, believe me.

Don't buy anything with tiger skin on it or medicine with tiger bones in it.  They have cost far too many lives.  I love it when these hunters get mauled to death; a just end to my mind. 

Ok, not a very cheerful OP, but then these poor animals aren't either.  

Today, post all things tiger-related and let's enjoy these wonderful large cats, for as long as we can.