Tigers free essay sample

Tigers are descended from civet-like animals called niacis that lived during the age of the dinosaurs about 60 million years. These small mammals, with long bodies and short flexible limbs, evolved over millions of years into severalhundred different species, including cats, bears, dogs and weasels. About 37 cat species exist today. Tigers evolved in eastern Asia , but it is not exact. Sabre-tooth tigers are not the ancestors of todays tigers. In fact, sabre-tooth tigers belonged to a separate branch of cat evolution which became extinct many millions of years ago. The Siberian or Amur tiger lives primarily in eastern Russia, and a few are found in northeastern China and northern North Korea. It is estimated that 437-506 Siberian tigers still exist in the wild. About 490 captive Siberian tigers a re managed in zoo conservation programs. The South China tiger is the most critically endnagered of all tiger subspecies. They are found in central and eastern China. We will write a custom essay sample on Tigers or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is estimated that only 20-30 South China tigers are left in the wild. Currently 48 South China tigers live in 19 zoos, all in China. The distribution of the Indochinese tiger is centered in Thailand, and is found in Myanmar, southern China, CAnbodia, Laos, Vietnam, and penisular Malaysia. About 1,180- 1,790 Indochines tigers are left in the wild and about 60 live in zoos. Bengal tigers live in India, and some range through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The estimated wild population is approzimately 3,060- 4,735 tigers, with about 333 in captivity, primarily in zoos in India. White tigers are just white-colored Bengal tigers. They ae not a separate subspecies of tiger, and they are no albinos.They have blue eyes, a pink nose, and creamy white fur with chocolate colored 1 striipes, White tigers are only born when two tigers that both carry the unusual gene for white oloring mate, Wild white tigers are very rare, and todayt they can only be. Project Tiger in India Project Tiger was incorporated in 1973 with nine tiger reserves covering an area of 16,339 sq. km. , which has increased to 37,761 sq. km. in 27 Tiger Reserves. The budgetary provision of the Government of India during 1973 was only Rs. 3 million, which has increased to 230 million during 2000-2001. In the beginning of the 1970s, once tiger hunting had officially been banned in India, a tiger count was done across the entire country. This lead to the astonishing discovery that only 1800 specimens of this magnificent animal were left. This jolted the concerned authorities and some serious thought went into devising plans to save the tiger. The result was the launch of Project Tiger in 1972 at the Dhikala Forest Rest House in Corbett National Park.The main idea behind the project was to provide safe havens for tigers where they could flourish as a species and hopefully reverse the startling decline in their population. The project initially had 9 parks that were chosen for its implementation. This number has slowly risen and a total of 19 parks are now attached to the project. The project was begun in association with and still receives its main funding from the WWF. Although the experts affirm that the project has its shortcomings, the increase in the populations of the tiger is clearly evident to even the common man.Many experts had predicted that the tiger would be extinct by the turn of the century, but, whoever may be responsible, the tiger has proudly proved them wrong. Tiger population may not still be in thrilling numbers and poaching still may be quite rampant but a lot more effort is being put into saving this beautiful animal. This is good news for the entire natural treasure of the country because if the tiger flourishes, so will the jungle and vice-versa. Problems faced by Tiger Reserves: Legend Lore: In India tiger skins were are still valued by black magicians as a seat during meditation. In China, various parts