Save The Tiger

FAQs & Facts on Bengal Tiger

FAQs & Facts on Indian Tiger

What is a tiger?
The tiger is a mammal. It belongs to the cat family (Felidae) and is often referred to as a big cat. It has an orange coat
patterned with broad black stripes. It has black ears, each with a winking white spot on the back, powerful
forepaws, and a long banded tail. The total length of the tiger from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail is between
2.6 to 3 meters and it weighs anywhere between 135-280 kg. The average life span of a tiger in the wild is about 14 to
16 years.

What is a Bengal tiger?

The Indian or Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigirs) is a sub species of tiger
(Panthera tigris). This sub-species is found mainly in India, Nepal, Bhutan and
Bangladesh. The diet of an Indian tiger mainly consists of large wild
ungulates such as chital (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), barasingha
(Cervus duvacelii), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and gaur (Bos gaurus) and
other animals such as the wild pig (Sus scrofa). It is an opportunistic feeder and
can also kill large prey such as elephant calves (Elephas maximus) and wild
buffalo (Bubalis arnee). Tigers may occasionally also kill sloth bear and
Bengal Tiger © Ravi Singh/ WWF- INDIA leopards as well as smaller prey such as peafowl, langur, jungle fowl & hare.

Where are tigers found in the wild?

In the wild, tigers are found in India, Nepal, China, Russia,
Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Did You Know?
Sumatra (Indonesia) and Malaysia. Eight sub-species of tiger
existed in the past out of which three have been extinct for
many years. The five surviving sub species of tiger are:
Indian Tiger or Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) found in
India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh;
Indo-Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) mainly found in
Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia but are also found in
Myanmar, Southern China, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam;
Siberian or Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) found in far Due to their large body size tigers are not
good tree climbers like leopards. They
east Russia;
usually climb along large leaning trees. But
Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) found in the tigers are excellent swimmers and love
Indonesian island of Sumatra; water. Tigers are known to swim between
South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) found in islands in the Sunderbans.

China.
The population found in Peninsular Malaysia has been given Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
a status of separate sub species Panthera tigris jacksoni. and Uzbekistan.
The three sub species of tigers that became extinct in the past
century are: the Bali Tiger (Panthera tigris balica) that was Recent reports indicate that the South China tiger
found in the Indonesian island of Bali, the Javan Tiger is also extinct in the wild. Recent genetic studies
(Panthera tigris sondaica) that was found in the Indonesian show that the Caspian and Siberian tigers may
island of Java and the Caspian Tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) have been the same sub species.
that was found in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Mongolia,

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Where do you find tigers in India?
Tigers are found in a variety of habitats, including
tropical and sub tropical forests, evergreen forests,
mangrove swamps and grasslands. In India, tigers are
found in 19 states. For the better management of tiger
habitats, forests have been demarcated as Tiger
reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, also
known as Protected Areas. There are 39 Tiger Reserves
in our country today, some of which were added
recently. For more details about the tiger reserves visit
www.projecttiger.nic.in

Map showing state wise tiger numbers

What is a white tiger?

White tigers are not a separate sub-species, but are white in color
due to an expression of recessive genes. The last white tiger
reported in the wild was captured in the forests of Rewa in the
state of Madhya Pradesh. The white tigers found in the zoos
today are most likely descendants of this one tiger and bred in
captivity. There are no more white tigers reported in the wild
today. White tigers have pink noses, white-to-cream coloured fur,

White tigers are white in color due to an expression of recessive

and black, grey or chocolate-coloured stripes. Their eyes are
genes © Ameen Ahmed/ WWF- INDIA
usually blue, but may be green or amber.

All tigers are not man-eaters!

No, they are not! Tigers, like all other wild animals, tend to avoid people, but can attack in defense if they are
taken by surprise or if they are with their young ones. Such incidences may sometimes lead to humans being
mauled or killed by chance. Occasionally, an aged, sick or injured tiger that is unable to hunt its natural prey
may also kill a human being and feed on the body. A few such tigers may resort to killing human beings
intermittently since man is an easy prey. But not all aged, sick or injured tigers become man-eater.
A healthy cub may also acquire man-eating skills from his/her mother. It is very difficult to state the exact
reasons why a tiger turns man-eater but fortunately such cases are extremely rare.

Significance of tigers in India

Tigers occupy an important place in the Indian culture. Since ages, it has been a
symbol of magnificence, power, beauty and fierceness and has been associated with bravery and valor. The
tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top
predator and is at the apex of the food chain. Therefore, the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the
well-being of the ecosystem. Protection of tigers in forests protects habitats of several other species.

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Indirect benefits include protection of rivers and other water
sources, prevention of soil erosion and provision of
ecological services like pollination, water table retention etc.
The absence of this top predator is an indication that its
ecosystem is not sufficiently protected.
Tigers are both a Flagship and Umbrella species. As a
Flagship species they are important for conservation and as
an Umbrella species, conservation of tigers leads to
conservation of other species. Tigers and high intensity biotic
disturbances such as poaching and stealing of kills do not go
together. If the tigers in the wild have to survive, it is
imperative that other species of wild animals that are directly
or indirectly a part of the food chain must also thrive.
Therefore, the survival of the tiger is an important yardstick Tigers have been featured extensively in Indian art.
©Khalid Pasha/ WWF-India
to measure the existence of a healthy forest ecosystem.

The tiger is endangered

Tigers in the wild are facing severe threats. There has been
steep decline in the tiger population all across the world. At
the beginning of the last century, it is believed that worldwide,
there were possibly many thousands of tigers in the wild with
about a few thousands of those in India. A WWF-Wildlife
Conservation Society survey found that tigers have lost 93% of
their historic range. In the last 10 years (1999-2009), tiger
habitat decreased by an alarming 45%. Today, tigers occupy
just 7% of their historic range. The current tiger population in
India is estimated to be only 1411 (with a range of 1100-1600)
according to a Wildlife Institute of India-National Tiger
Conservation Authority survey. The tiger is listed as
Poaching of tiger for its body parts gravely threaten its
Endangered in the IUCN red list. future ©Soumen Dey/ WWF-India

The decline in the tiger population in India can be attributed to many factors.
The major reason is the growth in human population. Since independence
large chunks of prime tiger habitats have been lost forever to agriculture and
developmental activities. In India till the middle of the last century, people
killed tigers in the name of sport.
Tiger hunting was officially banned only after the enactment of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act in 1972. Today, increasing biotic disturbances, uncontrolled
poaching of prey, urbanization, mining and quarrying; and poaching of tiger
for its body parts gravely threaten its future. Bones and other body parts of the
tigers are used in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) and their skins are
used for making ‘Chubas’ ( the traditional robe worn by the Tibetans). It is this
Possession of tiger skin, bones
and other body parts is a criminal illegal market for tiger skins and parts in China and Tibet that remains as one
offence under Indian law. of the most serious threat to wild tiger populations in India.
©Ameen Ahmed/ WWF-India

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 What are the Indian and international laws that protect tigers?
The Indian Tiger is an endangered animal and is listed in the Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This
act gives it protection against hunting/poaching and trade for skins, bones and body parts. Any person who commits
such an offence is punishable with an imprisonment of not less than three years extending up to seven years along
with a fine of not less than fifty thousand rupees which may extend up to two lakh rupees. In the event of a second or
subsequent conviction he can receive imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and a fine which shall be
not less than five lakh rupees and can vary up to a maximum of fifty lakh rupees.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), presently ratified by
over 160 countries, makes international trade in tiger parts illegal. India has been a signatory of this convention since
the year 1975.

What are the methods to estimate tiger populations?

The process of estimating the number of tigers in a given area is called 'Tiger
census'. This exercise provides us with an estimate of tiger number, density
and change in tiger indices - a measure of tiger occupancy in a given area. It is
conducted at regular intervals to know the current tiger populations and
population trends. Besides estimating the number of tigers the process also
helps to gather information on the density of the tiger populations and
associated prey.

Many different methods are used to estimate the number of tigers. The most
commonly used technique in the past was 'Pugmark Census Technique'. In this
Pugmark Census Technique was method the imprints of the pugmark of the tiger were recorded and used as a
commonly used earlier to estimate
basis for identification of individuals. Now it is largely used as one of the
tiger numbers
©Dipankar Ghose/ WWF-India indices of tiger occurrence and relative abundance. Recent methods to
estimate the numbers of tigers considered more accurate than pugmark
technique. These are camera trapping and DNA finger-printing. In camera
trapping, the photograph of the tiger is taken and individuals are
differentiated on the basis of the stripes on the body. In the latest technique of
DNA fingerprinting, tigers can be identified from their scats.

A camera trap image of a tiger

©WWF-India & Arunachal FD

What is the nature of Human-Wildlife conflict in India?

For centuries humans and wild animals have co-existed in India. This is mainly because the human
populations were much lower and the forest areas were large. However, over the past few decades, the human
population has grown manifold thereby creating great pressure on forest resources. Forests that were vast and
undisturbed have given way to human habitations and settlements. Grazing by domestic cattle in forest areas
has resulted in disease out-breaks among wild herbivores, and also reduced availability of fodder, forcing wild
herbivores to depredate crops that adjoin forests. In retaliation, villagers sometimes resort to acts like stealing

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 power from power lines and setting up live electric fence to kill
crop raiders. Due to lack of sufficient wild prey base in the
forests, leopards frequent villages looking for food. In the
process, humans, particularly children and women get killed.
Lack of prey base also forces carnivores such as tigers, leopards
and dholes (wild dog) and wolves to kill domestic cattle for
survival. Villagers may again retaliate by poisoning these wild
animals. Also activities like stealing of animals killed by tigers
lead to injury and death of human beings.
Villagers retaliate by killing tigers when they kill cattle
© NBL/ WWF-India

Tiger farming does not increase tiger populations in the wild!

Captive breeding of tiger or tiger farming does not help
increase tiger populations in the wild. If this was true, then
those countries indulging in tiger farming would boast a
healthy population of tigers in the wild, which has not
happened so far.
Tigers in the wild breed very well, provided they have a good
habitat and adequate protection. Problems related to habitat,
prey base and protection can not be solved by captive
Harbin Tiger Park, China. ©Kirsten Conrad/ TRAFFIC
breeding. Furthermore, rehabilitation of a captive bred tigers

in the wild has been unsuccessful. This is because tigers in the wild learn hunting by a process of close
association with the mother, a situation which cannot be replicated in captivity. Therefore tiger farming is only
a way to breed tigers for their skin and derivatives to meet market demands and cannot be seen as a
conservation tool.

What would happen if tiger trade from tiger farming is legalized?

Why should it bother wild tigers?
If the trade in tiger body part is legalized in the name of tiger farming, eventually the tigers in the wild would
be poached. Body parts of wild tigers are sometimes preferred more than that of farm-bred tigers. Also, it will
be virtually impossible to distinguish between products of wild tigers and those of farms. As tiger poaching is
less expensive than tiger farming, there will be attempts to disguise wild tiger products as farmed products.
Therefore legalizing trade in farmed tiger products will only increase overall trade volume and make
stopping the illegal tiger trade far more difficult. Organised criminal networks will not give up illegal tiger
trade just because farmed tiger products are available. It will also be far more profitable to poach a tiger in the
wild than to raise it in a farm, which would cost about US$ 1500/year. The concept of farming the tigers for
commercial trade should be abandoned for ever. Human ailments can only be treated and cured with scientific
drugs but NOT by the medicines prepared with tiger body parts.

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Where does India stand in tiger conservation today?
India was the first country in the world to champion
the cause of conservation of the tiger and its natural
habitats. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, was one of the
largest conservation initiatives of its kind globally.
After a great success initially, it has had mixed results.
Focus has been sharpened on tiger conservation issues
across the country and many prime tiger habitats were
designated as Tiger Reserves. Conservation initiatives
in many areas have led to successful amelioration of
habitats and a healthy tiger population; while in other
areas the results have not been so effective. Threats to
tiger conservation such as destruction and
India was the first country in the world to champion the cause fragmentation of habitats, human-tiger conflict and
of tiger conservation © Joseph Vatakkaven
poaching of tiger and its prey continue to remain.

What does future hold for Indian tigers?

Tiger conservation continues to face increasing challenges on the ground. However, it is still not too late.
Through scientific, planned management interventions such as preventing further destruction and
restoration of habitat and prey base, curbing human-tiger conflict and illegal wildlife trade, we can help
conserve viable tiger populations in the wild.

How does WWF-India contribute to Tiger Conservation?

To protect the tiger and to ensure its survival in the wild,
WWF-India supports tiger conservation initiatives
undertaken by the Government of India. The activities
undertaken include strengthening protection measures in
Protected Areas, helping local communities to reduce
their dependence on forest resources, mitigating human-
wildlife conflict, providing a scientific database that will
serve as a basis for sound management of tiger habitats,
and capacity building for conservation of the species.

TRAFFIC-India, a collaboration of WWF and IUCN, is

WWF-India supports tiger conservation initiatives in different working to curb illegal trade in wildlife that is drastically
parts of India © Diwakar Sharma/ WWF-India
affecting the wildlife populations in India.

How can I help?

Please click here to see how you can help save the tiger.

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Learn more about WWF-India’s work for the tiger
Visit: www.wwfindia.org/tigers

Designed by: Pallavi Patil

Complied and edited by:
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WWF-India, 172-B, Lodi Estate,
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Tel: +91 11 4150 4783
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