SAVE THE TIGER

What you can do to save the tiger?

The tiger is not just a charismatic species. It’s not just a wild animal living in some forest either. The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator and is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Therefore the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well being of the ecosystem. The extinction of this top predator is an indication that its ecosystem is not sufficiently protected, and neither would it exist for long thereafter. If the tigers go extinct, the entire system would collapse. For e.g. when the Dodos went extinct in Mauritius, one species of Acacia tree stopped regenerating completely. So when a species goes extinct, it leaves behind a scar, which affects the entire ecosystem. Another reason why we need to save the tiger is that our forests are water catchment areas.When we protect one tiger, we protect about a 100 sq. km of area and thus save other species living in its habitat. Therefore, it’s not just about saving a beautiful animal. It is about making sure that we live a little longer as the forests are known to provide ecological services like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc. This way, our planet can still be home to our children.

At the turn of the 20th century, according to sources, India had an estimated 40,000 tigers in the wild. In 2002, based on pug mark census, this number was 3,642. As per the monitoring exercise by Wildlife Institute of India in association with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India using camera traps, in 2008 we were left with only 1,411 tigers. This number is so small that they will be gone soon if we don’t wake up to the crisis.

lion

Physical appearance: Asiatic Lion is the second largest of the "Big Cats" after the Tiger. A fully- grown male lion can reach 9 feet long including its 3-foot long tail, with a dark tuft of fur at the end. An Asiatic Lion can reach upto a size of about 4 feet tall and can weigh over 200 Kg. Lionesses are smaller in size, but equally ferocious. Lionesses are usually sandy or tawny in color. Male lions can range in color from orange-yellow to dark brown. Habitat: Asiatic Lions live in open grasslands or forests, including scrub jungle. Lions have been known to occasionally climb trees but are usually seen on the ground.
Diet: Asiatic Lions are carnivores and hunt for their prey. They prey includes various species of deer, antelope and wild cattle or buffalo. (In Africa lions also eat zebra and wildebeest. Lions have also been observed attacking the young of hippopotamus or elephants in Africa.)

Behavior: Asiatic Lions are the only Big Cats to live in large groups or "prides". Prides usually consist of around 15 members, including several related lionesses, their cubs and a few males. The lionesses do most of the hunting, while the males defend the pride's territory. Lions establish their territorial boundaries by roaring and scent marking. Lionesses usually stalk their prey, until they manage to approach nearby and then attack, killing their prey with a bite to the neck. Young male lions are usually expelled from the pride after they are around 3 years old. Young female lions may stay with the pride or join other prides. Many male lions remain solitary and do not join any pride.
Status: Asiatic Lions are a gravely endangered species. The last surviving Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest in Gujarat are threatened by habitat loss and human encroachment. However they are recognized as extremely threatened and efforts are on to promote a captive breeding program in various zoos across India.
Tourists can see the Asiatic Lion in the wild, in the Gir Forest National Park in India. Lions can also be seen in zoos across India and in animal parks such as the Bannerghatta National Park near Bangalore, where big cats rescued from zoos are rehabilitated.