Why the Bengal Tiger is Endangered
Habitat Loss
Exploding human populations, particularly since the 1940's, have resulted in major habitat loss for tigers. Habitats are further fragmented because of agriculture and the clearing of forests for developments like road networks. This forces tigers into small and scattered habitat patches. Illegal Wildlife Trade Before the international ban on tiger trade in 1993, tiger populations were being decimated by poaching and trade. Despite the ban in the past few decades, the illegal demand for tigers as status symbols, decorative items, and folk cures has increased dramatically, leading to a new poaching crisis. Poaching driven by the international illegal wildlife trade is the largest immediate threat to the remaining tiger population. Prey Loss Tigers suffer from a severe loss of natural prey like deer and antelopes. Prey numbers decline because of direct poaching for meat and trade, competition with livestock over food and habitat degradation because of excessive wood removal for fires. Conflict with Humans As tigers continue to lose their habitat and prey species, they are increasingly coming into conflict with humans as they attack domestic animals—and sometimes people. In retaliation, tigers are often killed by angry villagers. |
Due to today's habitat loss caused by the deforestation, and hunting by human poachers, the Bengal Tiger is considered an endangered species. There are only about 2,500 tigers left in the world.
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