International Tiger Day

Today is International Tiger Day, a day designed to call attention to the alarming fact that there are only about 3,000 tigers living in the wild, down from 100,000 100 years ago. Most of this is due to the loss of the tiger's habitat, which is down 93 percent, due to encroachment by man and global warming. All tiger species are endangered, and unless dramatic action is taken, tigers may only exist in captivity in a short period of time.

I've been reading about tigers today, and there is much to be admired. They are the largest cat species, and can grow to be 11 feet long and over 800 pounds. They are instantly recognizable, and though tigers are responsible for more human deaths than any other wild animal, they still manage to be somewhat cuddly, as evidenced by a poll of children that named them their favorite animal.

Tigers have been worshipped for years, by Indian and Chinese cultures, among others, and even to this day they are representative of positive feelings and attributes, from Tigger to Hobbes to Tony the Tiger, selling Kellogg's corn flakes. Still, they are mistreated. China is keeping 5,000 animals in captivity for breeding for skins and other body parts (the penis is highly prized for therapeutic qualities, and is made into a soup).

They are also a frequently used mascot for American sports teams. It's a coincidence, but my favorite sports team is the Detroit Tigers, and the nearby college for whom I root, Princeton, also uses the tiger as a mascot. I will also admit that I always felt a little tingle whenever I read a comic book that featured Tigra, who was far too under-utilized in the Marvel Universe, methinks.

Although the lion is known as king of the jungle, there's something even more regal about the tiger. Even when the tiger is used as a villain, like Shere Khan in The Jungle Book, he is given a royal demeanor. In the Disney version, Shere Khan is voiced by George Sanders, and you can't much more aristocratic than that.

I urge everyone who reads this blog to get involved. You can start by going to tigerday.org. Spread the word.