Global Tiger Day is being marked around the world.
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is trying to raise awareness about some of the challenges endangered tigers face in the wild.
Zoo director Jill Marvin says efforts are underway to try and protect tigers and there are ways to help.
“You can contribute to scientists who are in Russia and Malaysia to be able to protect them. They are actually hiring people to track down poachers to prevent the poaching,” she notes.
A rare behind the scenes look at the Amur tigers at Magnetic Hill Zoo on Global Tiger Day. Zookeeper Sylvain Nowlan is doing training with Anya. #Tigers #GlobalTigerDay #nb #nbnews #Moncton pic.twitter.com/b0Kv8HDNFF
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) July 29, 2019
Marvin says deforestation is also a big concern with tigers losing their habitat in parts of Asia as forests are cut down to grow palms for palm oil.
She adds consumers can make a difference by choosing products with sustainable palm oil and something as easy as reducing your carbon footprint can help cut down on deforestation.
Marvin says apps have also been developed in which you can help scientists in India by looking at camera footage of tigers and help researchers determine whether the population is increasing or decreasing.
Only about 4,000 tigers are left in the wild today compared to 100,000 animals about 100 years ago.
At the Amur tiger exhibit, zoo visitors can make donations to two charitable organizations which are helping to protect the animals, Panthera and Tigers Forever.
