The national animal of India is the Royal Bengal Tiger, also known as Panthera tigris tigris. The Indian race of the species, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is found throughout the country except in the north-western region and also in the neighboring countries, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The tiger was adopted as Indias national animal in 1972, after a meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife. The Royal Bengal Tiger is a striped animal with a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. It is known for its strength, agility, and grace, and is considered one of the most distinguished carnivores among the Indian fauna.