NASA is helping protect tigers 🐅
In the last 200 years, tigers have lost at least 93% of their historical range and now live in just 10 countries, mostly in Asia.
Led by the Wildlife Conservation Society and funded by @nasa, a team of scientists used data from NASA satellites and others to monitor changes in tiger habitats. They also mapped large stretches of “empty forest” that could be a suitable habitat for these large cats. 🌳🐅
The map shows tiger habitat as of January 2020. The tan areas represent tigers’ indigenous range. Orange areas show habitats where tigers are present. Green areas are places where tigers aren’t known to live recently, but are suitable and large enough that they could be a potential area for tiger restoration.
Tracking monitoring current and potential tiger habitats offers hope and new insights for conservation as these predators face the consequences of rapid habitat loss.
#TigerHabitat #Tiger #NASA #SatelliteData #Satellite #Earth #EarthFromSpace #Animals
Image descriptions:
1: Photograph of a tiger laying on the ground at the Bronx Zoo. The cat is looking at the camera. Its fur is orange and white and striped in black and its paws are muddy. Credit: Julie Larsen / Bronx Zoo
2: Map of current and potential tiger habitats as of January 2020. A large portion of Asia, especially along the southern coast, is a tan color to indicate the tigers’ indigenous range. A much smaller portion shown in yellow indicates where tigers were living as of January 2020. A few brown splotches show places where further study is needed, and black specks indicate areas that are suitable habitats but too small for tiger populations to thrive. A large expanse of green area shows “empty forests,” or areas that did not contain tigers in 2020 but could be suitable habitats.
3: Photo of two tigers laying in the snow. Credits: Wildlife Conservation Society / Dale Miquelle.