Bengal (Indian) tiger

The Bengal tiger is found primarily in India with smaller populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Burma. It is one of numerous of all tiger sub-species with around 1,850 left in the wild. The creation of tiger reserves in the 1970s helped to stabilise numbers but poaching recently inside the reserves has once again put the Bengal tiger at risk.

Most numerous tiger pushed out of its home

The Bengal (Indian) tiger is the most numerous of all tiger subspecies. However, a burgeoning human population and its own needs are pushing the tiger out of its natural habitat.

Increasing human-tiger conflicts often lead to retributive killings. The tiger also faces a serious threat from poachers.

Where do Bengal tigers live?

Bengal tigers are found in an array of habitats in South Asia – from mountains to savannas to mangroves.

A tiger also found in mangroves

Bengal tigers mostly inhabit the dry and wet deciduous forests of central and south India, the Terai-Duar grassland and sal forests of the Himalayan foothills of India and Nepal, and the temperate forests of Bhutan.

Also, they are found in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China.

The mangroves of the Sundarbans (shared between Bangladesh and India) are the only mangrove forests where tigers are found. The Sundarbans are increasingly threatened by sea-level rise as a result of climate change.

How many Bengal tigers are left?

The Bengal tiger is one of numerous subspecies, with around 1,850 individuals surviving in the wild.

India is home to the largest population, with about 1,400 tigers – although a recent government survey indicates there might be as few as 1,300. Around 150 live in Nepal. Accurate estimates are not available in other countries.

What is WWF doing?

We are working with local partners to strengthen anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce threats to the natural habitat, both in India and Nepal. Work is underway to reduce pressure on natural forests so that you can reduce conflict with people.

Saving tigers by protecting their landscapes

In 2002, WWF developed a new and far-reaching strategy together with other conservationists and authorities. The cornerstone of the tiger conservation programme is a landscape-based approach. Seven priority landscapes have been identified where conservation will benefit the long-term survival of tigers in the wild.

Within these key landscapes, WWF and its partners work to reduce or remove threats to tigers in the wild by restoring their habitat, maintaining connectivity, and securing a wilderness landscape, strengthening anti-poaching efforts, working with villages in critical tiger corridors, mitigating human-wildlife conflict by creating physical barriers (solar fencing, CPTs), providing interim relief schemes to curb retaliatory killing, providing alternatives to reduce pressure on forest resources, exploring and supporting alternative livelihood options, facilitating institutional strengthening of local communities and creating awareness among villagers and local populace for their protection.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

View the Original article