World Tiger Day!
Due to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lockdown all over the world. The lockdown in India was introduced by our prime minister Narendra Modi on 24th March 2020. It has affected many of us deeply, even tigers!
What will be the impact of this lockdown on the tigers and tiger reserves across the country? If we look closely almost every aspect of a tiger's life: ranging from the food they eat, the ecosystems they live in, the poachers who seek them out as money; will be impacted.
Due to this lockout, the poachers had a free run as officials were lockdown as well. There was no one to supervise. A report by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, has recorded an increase in poaching in India during the lockdown period.
Food has also been a problem for tigers (especially those in zoos) at this troublesome time. As the lockdown duration increases, more people are afraid to go outside, including caretakers in zoos, sanctuaries, and rescue shelters. This means there's no one to feed them in the zoos.
Researchers have found out that the COVID-19 affects tigers as well! The first case of Coronavirus in tigers was found in the Bronx Zoo, New York. The tiger who was diagnosed with this deadly virus was Nadia, her symptoms included dry cough after being exposed to the symptomatic zoo-keeper at Bronx Zoo.
Responding to the grim situation above, authorities have come up with a protocol to protect tigers during this critical time. A quarantine has been set up in the Kalagarh and Bijrani ranges at Jim Corbett National Park. Apart from that, 40 video cameras and 450 cameras have been installed at the reserve to keep a tab on any abnormal behavior by animals which will suggest if they have caught the COVID-19.
The reserve staff have been asked to stay fixed at the posts and are being supplied with essentials there to prevent the possibility of them receiving infected with COVID-19 and then passing it on to the tigers.
But there is some good news too! The Tigers are making a remarkable comeback! In 2010, there were as few as 3,200 tigers.
In India alone, the number of wild tigers is now estimated at between 2,600 and 3,350 tigers. This makes up around three-quarters of the world's population of 4000 tigers.
The number of tigers at the UNESCO World Heritage site has gone up to 96 in India, from 88 tigers in 2018. Officials have counted 43 female tigers and 11 cubs during the lockdown.
While we are caged in our houses during this dangerous Coronavirus, the tigers are living a life of freedom. The tigers at Sunderban are roaming free in West Bengal. The sighting of tigers has also gone up during the lockdown.
Tigers are a crucial part of our ecosystem. We have already seen how interfering with the wildlife has brought the world to stand still, we should act for the tigers while we still have time. Celebrating World Tigers day is a good step in the right direction.
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