July 29: International Tiger Day, Day of Socio-Cultural Diversity and Anti-Discrimination
Kyiv • UNN
In the early twentieth century, there were about 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today, this number is less than four thousand. It is believed that the number of these animals in captivity is higher than in the wild.
Today, on July 29, animal rights activists and wildlife lovers in many countries of the world can join various events on the occasion of the International Tiger Day, UNN reports.
The event was launched in November 2010 at the International Forum on Tiger Conservation.
In the early twentieth century, there were about 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today, this number is less than four thousand. It is believed that the number of these animals in captivity is higher than in the wild. According to the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, about 12,000 tigers are kept in captivity in the United States alone.
The reason for the total disappearance of tigers was the economic activity of people in the areas where tigers lived and uncontrolled hunting. Tiger skin was considered a good trophy, and many tiger organs are used in traditional oriental medicine.
This led to the fact that three subspecies of tigers, unfortunately, finally became extinct: the Balinese tiger in the 1930s, the Caspian tiger in the 1960s, and the Javanese tiger in the 1970s.
It was in the 70s of the twentieth century that humanity began to take the first steps to preserve the tiger population in the wild.
India, which is home to more than half of the world's tiger population, declared the tiger a national animal, and in 1977, tiger hunting was banned in China. In Nepal, laws were passed in 1995 to protect tigers and their habitat.
Amur tigers are the largest in size. Their length from the nose to the tip of the tail can reach four meters, and their weight can be up to 300 kilograms.
Today also marks the International Day for Socio-Cultural Diversity and Combating Discrimination.
It aims to draw public attention to the problem of discrimination, spread the idea of peaceful coexistence and humanism, promote diversity of cultures, which gives humanity the opportunity to express itself and makes art multifaceted and unique.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyr Kalynik.
Calinicus was a preacher and theologian who lived in Cilicia during the time of Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians.
Despite the threat to his life, Kalynik continued to convert people to faith in the Lord.
The preacher was captured, tortured for a long time and brutally, and then burned alive.
According to legend, Kalynik died a martyr's death with dignity with a prayer on his lips.
Kostiantyn, Mykola, Oleksii, and Ostap celebrate their name days on July 29.
