On International Tiger Day, we bring you facts about the majestic felid that has captured the imagination of countless wildlife enthusiasts – the Royal Bengal Tiger.
As published in Nature inFocus on 28 July, 2021.
How do you introduce an animal that is on every wildlife photographer’s wishlist? An animal whose magnificent presence has been the inspiration behind numerous works of art and literature. Whose stealthy moves and low growls have encouraged even novice wildlife explorers to head deep into the forest. The poster child of many conservation initiatives and a stellar example of how the right efforts can aid a species in making its way back from the brink of extinction. How do you introduce the tiger?
India’s fascination for tigers dates back centuries. Did you know that the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, was once called ‘Puliyur Kottam’ or tiger town? In the historical text Arthashastra, it is mentioned that forest areas were designated for tigers and lions during the Mauryan Empire. While the Mughals introduced trophy hunting, the Britishers later offered rewards for dead tigers. It looks like we spent several hundred decades expressing this fascination by trying to overpower the big cats. We are now on the other end of the spectrum where we are trying to make amends for the past and save tigers from the many perils that surround them.
Read the complete story here. –> 10 Things You Need To Know About The Bengal Tiger