Have you been to a tiger reserve recently? Did you click the image of a tiger in the wild? Or do you simply love tigers and want to do something more than just sigh at their depleting numbers. Then here is your chance. A new website offers people like you and me to be part of the save tiger campaign simply by helping count all the tigers in the wild.
Tiger Nation is a new website and a collaboration of various conservationists across the world who plan to count India’s tiger population and gather as much data about them as possible through open interaction with general public.
Tiger Nation enables members to help build a database of tigers in the wild, by enabling them to take pictures of the animals in the wild. The website’s ID software then recognises the tigers by their stripe patterns. The database can be used by park field directors, border and intelligence agencies, NGOs and scientific organisations to learn more about the movements of the animals.
Founder of Tiger Nation Julian Matthews said: ‘This is not just about launching a website – we have in fact created a hub for a new community of people that enables them to get close to tigers and to engage with conservation efforts on the ground in India.”
According to the latest census India has a population of 1706 tigers in the country which makes it the largest tiger habitat in the world.
What this also means is that India needs to try the hardest to save the regal beast which is also the national animal.
Now through the website and with the aid of emerging social media, people can actually get involved directly in the campaign to save the tigers. The website has already much information about two of India’s best tiger reserves – Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh.
There are interesting images of the different tigers roaming in these parks, videos and also some insider’s blog articles written by experts who have been near the tigers and seen them roaming in the jungles of India.
In India, the website is a great initiative to involve locals and the common man in an effort to save the tiger. Wildcat lovers, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiast, conservationists, all will have a gala time keeping track of so many tigers at once and watching some live action of the tigers sitting at home.
Tiger Nation has definitely opened a brand new avenue for nature lovers to be part of the bigger picture.
My experience with Tiger Nation
I learned about the website through a media report and decided to check out and review for our readers. These are my personal views,
What I liked,
- Nice interactive website with clearly defined sections.
- The goal of the website is to count the remaining number of tigers in the wild with the help of general public. (This has never been done before…at least in India)
- There is an option to ‘follow’ a reserve of your choice. E.g. if you want to know how many tigers are there in Ranthambore, what they are doing right now, when was a tiger last spotted in the region etc. you can do so by simply following the updates of that particular reserve.
- Option of a ‘flying tour’ – virtual tour of a park of your interest. So simply sitting at home you can experience the wilderness of Bandhavgarh.
- List of sighted tigers with pictures.
- Best band of tiger experts partnering with the site.
- Interesting tiger videos and articles.
- Extra privileges for members like packages to visit a park.
What I did not like,
Not much really. The website is brand new and therefore there are only two national parks that have been listed presently. But others will surely join in soon.
To become a members you need to pay as much as you want as a token donation which will help continue the effort and also be given to other conservation organizations. (You can also become a member presently without giving any donations). But the pay is currently only through Paypal which might be a problem for Indians who do not have a Paypal account or who cannot use Paypal for paying money online.
Overall, the website is a must visit for all those who are in love with tigers.
