World Tiger Day - Global Tiger Day
29 July 2020
Today 29 July is global tiger day!
This year's theme is ”Don't turn your back on wild tigers and those working for wildlife”.
We live in a world of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and other environmental threats. Many animal species, including the tiger, are at risk of extinction as humans destroy their natural habitat. The work of zoos complements conservation efforts around the world by preserving endangered species. Conservation work for the Sumatran tiger is carried out through the most intensive type of conservation breeding programme within the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) called the EEP (EAZA Ex situ Programme). All individuals within an EEP programme are pedigreed and a so-called species coordinator plans the future of the species; which animals will breed or not breed and which animals will be moved from one zoo to another, etc. The tigers in the zoo also act as ambassadors for their resting relatives. At the zoo, we have the chance to teach and tell people about these amazing animals. People get the chance to see the animals and gain an understanding of what we, you and I, can do to help them.
The Sumatran tiger is also threatened by poaching and the trade in animals and animal parts is a constant threat around the tigers. The Wildcats Conservation Alliance is an organisation that works in the wild to help tigers. If you want to read more about the organisation or support it with money, you can find more information at https://conservewildcats.org/
The corona pandemic is causing problems in many ways around the world, but we still have happy news at Parken Zoo as we at Parken Zoo have now managed to carry out a safe land transport during the early summer where a new male Sumatran tiger has arrived in Eskilstuna. Our new male is currently getting to know his new family and we hope of course that a liking will arise.
Don't turn your back on the endangered tigers, do your bit and think about what you can do. Switch off the lights when you leave a room, recycle your rubbish, choose certified wood for your furniture... the list goes on, but we can all help.
