6 Surprising Facts for International Tiger Day
On July 29, you might see pictures of tigers going viral on your social media feeds. That's because it's International Tiger Day. But what does that mean? Why is there a special day for tigers? And why do we need to celebrate this big cat and its conservation? Read on for our top tiger facts and learn more about this important day. A tiger's stripes are unique, like a fingerprint—no two tigers have the same pattern. To understand the significance of this, imagine you are a tiger who just happens to have yellowish-orange stripes. In the wild, that makes you an easy target for predators and hunters simply because no one has seen your kind before. That is why in many regions, especially those with a small population of tigers, people paint their faces with distinctive white markings so they can remain anonymous while still being able to recognize others as fellow "tigerers" when they meet again in different locations.
Why do we celebrate International Tiger Day?
The occasion was first celebrated in 2010 to call attention to the problems facing wild tigers and other big cats in Asia, Africa, and South America. The goal was to ensure that tigers aren't forgotten as other species, like elephants, receive more attention. The day is part of a more significant effort known as the Global Tiger Initiative. The initiative is designed to help the world's tiger populations recover from a superficial level due to poaching and habitat loss. Looking at the numbers, you'll see why this day is so important. Only about 3,900 wild tigers are left in the world, and their numbers are dropping. International Tiger Day aims to raise awareness about tiger conservation and get people to donate to organizations that support tiger preservation.
How to celebrate International Tiger Day?
- Celebrate International Tiger Day by learning about tigers and their plight.
- Read the facts on this page and others you find online.
- Learn more about this beautiful animal and what you can do to help save it from extinction.
- Share your findings on social media using the hashtag #TigerDay.
- Organize or attend an event to celebrate tigers.
- You could arrange a documentary screening, host a trivia night, or have a bake sale.
- Use the proceeds to support tiger conservation efforts.
Take a walk on the wild side with our friendly applique organic tiger T-shirt. Our pal is taking a stroll on our jungle-green stripes, while the bright orange trim and neck poppers on our smaller sizes earn extra style stripes. You can make even additional stripes with this T-shirt as £1 of each sale goes to support the work of Born Free – a fantastic charity passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation.
6 amazing tiger facts you should know!
- A tiger's stripes are unique, like a fingerprint—no two tigers have the same pattern.
- A tiger's roar can be heard up to 2 miles away.
- Tigers are excellent swimmers and can easily cross rivers up to 12 miles wide.
- These beautiful cats are solitary creatures and only come together to mate.
- Female tigers are the ones who do the hunting for pride.
- Tigers can reach a speed of 65km/h (40 miles per hour)
The bad news: Tigers are an endangered species.
In fact, they are one of the most endangered mammals in the world. Their numbers have dropped so much in recent decades that they are critically endangered. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the exact numbers are unknown because the animal is hard to track in the wild. Poaching is the leading cause of death for tigers, followed by habitat loss. Logging and mining are also significant problems facing these big cats.
The good news: We're working on it!
Luckily, some groups work hard to protect tigers and their natural habitats. You can support their efforts and help save the tiger by donating to one of these organizations. You can benefit in many ways, from participating in wildlife conservation efforts at home to travelling to Asia to see tigers in their natural habitat. You can also help at home by being mindful of how you use your energy and water.
3 things you can do to help tigers today!
- Learn about tigers and how to protect them. You can also learn about other endangered species and how you can help them.
- Get your friends and family involved. Share what you've learned and get others excited about helping the tigers.
- Think about future generations. There will come a day when tigers exist only in zoos and the wild. We have the chance to make sure that day is far off in the future. If you want to make a real difference, sign up for a monthly donation to help fund critical tiger conservation efforts. Your support will help organizations like World Wildlife Fund and others do the vital work of protecting the tiger. You can also share this article on social media and spread the word about International Tiger Day and the tigers' fight for survival.
After learning about the wild cat, why not express your "wild" side? Our friendly applique organic tiger T-shirt is the perfect place to start. The bright orange trim and neck poppers on our smaller sizes earn extra style stripes. Plus, £1 from every sale goes to support the conservation work of Born Free – a fantastic charity passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation!
We're proud to be supporting the work of Born Free – the UK charity passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation. When you buy this top, £1 of each sale goes to support their fantastic work – so take your child for a walk on the wild side and help them too.
We also have Leopard and Lion applique t-shirts - more big cats that need our attention to survive.
They say a leopard never changes its spots... we think your little cub won't want to change out of this lovely leopard applique organic T-shirt! It's contrasting blue and brown stripes and a stylish green trim, plus the leg poppers for easy changing. What's more, £1 of each sale goes to support the work of Born Free – a fantastic charity passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation.
Our lion is taking time out on this roar-some organic T-shirt featuring the most giant cat. Stretched across both sides, our friendly applique's mane is on full display at the front, while his swishy tail rests at the back. You can wear this T-shirt with extra pride as £1 of each sale goes to support the work of Born Free – a fantastic charity passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation. Love this style? Check out our Wild Cats organic childrenswear collection online at Toby Tiger.
