Officials, wildlife NGOs observe International Tiger Day

The Advanced Institute of wildlife conservation (AIWC), Vandalur released factsheets for Tamil Nadu wildlife staff working on tiger conservation. Awareness slides on the need to protect tigers, the incidence of poaching, wildlife crime and habitat protection were also circulated.

In a special bulletin on tigers, AIWC director Shekhar Kumar Niraj urged the foresters, biologists and ecologists to make use of robotics, DNA-based microsatellite studies and drones for the management of tiger habitats. Tamil Nadu has a population of about 260 tigers spread over four tiger reserves, he said.

Anatomical studies of tiger bones and other body parts by morphometric analysis to identify and validate tiger parts in illegal trade were also crucial, Niraj said, urging the stakeholders to detect of illegal wildlife trade including the trade routes to reduce trafficking of tigers.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur also organised a quiz programme, and a special webinar on tigers was also arranged during which experts shared their views on tiger rescue operations in the State.

Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BCF), Tiruchy, circulated special write-ups on Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the importance of tigers in the land once controlled by slain forest brigand Veerappan. BCF also released a six-minute long awareness video on tigers. Chennai-based Nature Trust circulated rare photos and videos of tigers shot in the tiger reserves in south Indian among netizens, voicing out the need for protecting the big cats.

In Kovilpatti, members of Bharathiyar Memorial Trust organised a silambam for students with tiger masks. The volunteers also took out an awareness drive emphasising the need to protect tigers.