tigers

I know you wanna pet them! I know, I do too, but they are too dangerous. Or... are they? They definitely don't look like it. Not when they're itty bitty teeny weeny baby cubs. They look so floofy and cute and too pet-able. Just once in our lives, please, we would like to pet one of these ferocious cats. 

Of course, we don't mean to offend you, you majestic little felines. Just because you are smol and awwdorable, doesn't mean that you are also not the smallest, most fiercest kittens in the animal kingdom, and we have all the respect in the world for you. We also desperately wanna cuddle you. 

Combine the magic of snow with the majesty of the tiger, and you get some of the most wholesome, chill pictures on the web. Because you know how chill these tigers must have been to sit there for so long and just let the snow cover them, turning themselves from stunning orange and black beauties to the most magical, majestic looking white tigers.

These pictures are the exact type of chill that we need to start our week off with. Cold but snuggly and infinitely powerful and beautiful. So, let this white blanket envelop you and imagine being as chill about it as these lovely big kitties. 

While all these photoshopped animals do look beautiful either way and some not even odd-looking, we're definitely grateful to live in a world where tigers and zebras have stripes. These animals have color and uniquely beautiful, if you photoshop out those iconic markings, it doesn't dilute their cuteness, but we've obviously come to love and admire these animals individual uniqueness. 

The team at Brightside.me has asked the question, "What would animals look like without their markings?" And then created it for us to help us imagine a world in which animals only come in one shade of color. Safe to say, we all love the animals just as they naturally are! 

A terrifying story with a happy ending. Three years ago, a six week old Bengal tiger cub was rescued from a wildlife trafficking attempt at a San Diego area border crossing. Today, the fully grown tiger, Moka, is living happily with another rescued tiger named Nola.

Moka was discovered in the floorboard of a sports car driven by an 18-year-old man who was attempting to smuggle the tiger from Tijuana through the U.S.-Mexico border. As reported by the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and Border Report, the passenger under whose legs the cub was hidden had at first said that it was "just a cat." The driver, Luis Valencia, when questioned, claimed that he had bought the tiger in Tijuana after seeing someone walking it on a leash and wanted to keep it as a pet. Later, of course, it was discovered that both statements were false, and Luis was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.

The cub was taken to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and had a surgery that saved his life. At the time, his weight was less than that of the average house cat - just 6 pounds. His name, Moka, means "chance" in Bengali and was given to him as a way of commemorating the story of his discovery. There, he got to meet Rakan, "a Sumartan tiger cub whose mother was unable to care for him," and together they grew up, played, wrestled, and pounced, becoming stronger and happier.

After a few months of care, still only a few months old, Moka was moved into an animal sanctuary called Lions, Tigers & Bears east of San Diego where he met Nola from Louisiana - another now fully grown tiger who was rescued as a cub.

The founder and director of Lions, Tigers & bears, Bobbi Brink, told Border Report that "[Moka and Nola] were both the same age, so they made great roommates, now they're best of friends," as well as that "[h]e's kind of shy but Nola is his strength. She'll be the first one to go out and check out something then slowly but surely he'll be right behind her," and no ending could make us happier.

Take a look at pictures of Moka from three years ago, over the first three months at the safari (with Rakan!) and today below.

Happy International Tiger Day! 

We shared an update from India's Tiger Reserves earlier this morning, and we're happy to hear the numbers for these endangered animals have been climbing, over the years!

However, there's always more work to be done! On this day, it's important to raise awareness for their conservation. Sadly, tigers have lost 90% of their natural habitat and their population has dwindled down to less than 4,000. India shared a report that revealed their tiger population increased from 1,400 in 2014 to a total of 2,967. That's more than double! While there is still a long way to go, it feels like we're on the right track. 

Let's continue to help this beautiful species thrive by spreading the word and donating what we can! You can even adopt a big cat at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 

Over the past 12 years, India has nearly doubled its tiger population! Did you know that Tigers in India hold up to 70% of the world's tiger population? How wild is that! 

In honor of International Tiger Day, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister, released a report about the current status of Tigers in India. His report states, "In 1973, there were just nine tiger reserves which have now increased to 50. It is important to know that none of these reserves are of poor quality. Either they are good or the best."

Three tiger reverses (out of 50 reserves) shared in 2018 that they have no tigers left. The reserve with the most tiger population is Corbett at 231 tigers, followed by Nagarhole with 127 and Bandipore with 126 tigers. 

Check out some gorgeous tigers from India's Tiger Reserves below:

Story via Business Insider

Let's list some of the reasons as to why we're so obessed with tigers, shall we?

1. Aladdin. You cannot tell us that growing up with Aladdin, you didn't want a Rajah of your own, as a pet. You can try to tell us but we won't believe you. 

2. They're gorgeous 

3. Intelligent 

4. Extremely badass. Like, extremely. 

5. Did we mention gorgeous? Well, let's mention that one again. 

Tigers have been through a lot, in history, and it's important to know that these animals are sadly endangered. If you love tigers as much as us, and want to help out in anyways you can, WWF has an 'adopt a tiger' program, in which you can make an symbolic adoption. 

Tigers are such incredible, strong and unique cats. What makes them unique? First of all, tigers are the largest cats in the world! They are the embodiment of bravery, competitiveness and self-confidence. The are also difference from other wildcats due to their solitary nature. 

Not only that, they have a unique marking on the backs of their ears, a white spot that resembles that of a set of eyes. This marking is called 'ocelli,' according to Tigers.org. But why would an animal so dangerous need such a unique pattern? Find out below!