Bengal tiger, Ranthambore National Park, India

© Andy Rouse/Minden Picture

Stripes in sight. International Tiger Day

International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29, serves as a global platform to promote tiger conservation and highlights the pressing need to protect these magnificent animals. The event emphasises the challenges they face, such as habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and poaching. The Bengal tiger, an iconic and endangered subspecies primarily found in India, is the star of today's image. As apex predators, Bengal tigers play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of deer, wild boar and bison. With an estimated population between 2,500 and 3,000 in the wild, raising awareness about tiger conservation is crucial to secure the future of this majestic species, the true kings of the jungle.