In an effort to double the tiger population from 2010 to 2022, World Tiger Day (July 29) was created by TX2 (Tigers times two), a group consisting of 13 tiger range governments. In 2010, the world tiger population was at an alarmingly low number of 3,200. Currently, there are only 3,900 tigers in the world, and they are on the Endangered list. World Tiger Day was also created to raise awareness of its endangered status.
Here is William Blake’s contemplative poem whose subject is this magnificent cat.
The Tyger
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!
When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
