Page 5 - Apr-Jun 2018

VOL. 15 No. 1
NatIoNaL aNIMaL: Did you know?

tHe MaJeStIC tIGer The Tiger is the national
animal of India, Malaysia
The Bengal Tiger, living deep in the jungle, and not and South Korea.
in collective groups like the lion, survived longer and Illustration by: Deb Mukherjee, VI I, Delhi Mehak, VII A, Vishva Bharti
Public School, Jagadhri
therefore became the national animal of India in place of Public School, Sec-45, Gurgaon
the Asiatic Lion. TIGEr CoUNT

There are four methods used for counting Tiger
ThE TIGEr, pANThErA TIGrIS population:

The Tiger as the National Pug mark method: This method is used in counting
Animal of India the number of tigers in an area by studying their pug
marks which is unique in itself.
symbolizes the
power, strength, Poop/Scat method: In this method the number of
tigers is counted by their droppings and then sent for
elegance, alertness, DNA sampling.
intelligence, and Illustration by: Mehak, VII A, Vishva Bharti Radio collar method: In this method radio collars are
endurance of the Public School, Jagadhri fitted on tigers. This method was adopted in Panna.
nation. An important camera trap: In this method their count can be
criterion to choose the national animal is its conservation estimated by recording various tigers in the camera
status in order to offer better efforts for its protection. and studying them.
Earlier, the Asiatic Lion used to be the national animal. final count is by comparing using all four methods.
However, after Independence, it was replaced by the tiger.
This was because the Asiatic Lion is only found in the Gir
forest, while the Tiger is spread in about 16 states. Pug Marks
The Bengal Tiger or Panthera Tigris is a sub-species of the are so
tiger family and inhabits regions in India, Bangladesh, fascinating!
Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Southern Tibet. The Bengal
Tiger probably entered India through Burma from Siberia
at the end of the last Ice Age. Out of the eight tiger sub- TIGEr CENSUS
species, three have become extinct. It is important for us 1972 Tiger became the national animal
to save the tigers.
Tiger hunting was banned
Wildlife (Protection) Act was passed
TIGEr DAY– GIVE ME A pAW 1973 Project Tiger was launched
1975 CITES came into effect and trade of tigers and
global Tiger day is annually celebrated on the 29 of July. their products was banned in signatory countries
th
On this day, the Royal Park School in Salem raises awareness 1989 Tiger count was 4334 tigers
for tiger conservation. This year, 600 students transformed 2001 Count came down to 3642
600 kg of colour powder into a huge tiger image in six hours. 2006 Tiger count declined drastically to 1411
shree Pragathi, iX a, royal Park school, salem 2014 Count jumped to 2226
celebrate global Tiger day in your school too! 2018 For the first time tiger census will be in close
coordination with Nepal and Bangladesh

ACTIVITY: SAVE ThE STrIpES

• Distribute petition sheets to children in support of the
tiger
• Get signatures from neighbours and friends
• Submit the petition sheets to local authorities
• Meet the authorities and discuss the issue – Save Tiger
– Save Forests – Save Water

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