Wildlife Profile: Bengal Tiger
The Bengal Tiger has the largest surviving population of any tiger sub-species. And, the importance of conservation cannot be understated. The human impact on the world has devastated the natural environment for thousands of wildlife species. Countless species are on the brink of extinction. Fortunately, we still have the time to rescue biodiversity from collapsing.
Conservation Status: "Endangered" (population at risk)
Scientific Name: Panthera tigris
Current Range:
Recognised & recorded: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and southwestern China.
"Just 7% of their original historic range"
Habitat:
Bengal tigers are remarkable apex species, they can adapt and live in a variety of habitats. These include: tropical rainforests, evergreen forests, wetlands, grasslands, mangroves & savannas. Tigers can endure monsoons and droughts. They have a high temperature tolerance of hot and cold environments.
Threats:
Human-wildlife conflict, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, captivity, as well as poaching and hunting.
Action Needed:
The fact that there are more tigers in captivity is a sobering reminder of humanity’s failure. Over 10,000 in captivity and roughly 5,500 in the wild (Global Tiger Forum,2024). Wildlife conservation must ensure wildlife species primarily inhabit wild spaces. The protection and safety of wildlife must increase with an emphasis on severe consequences for those that deliberately target, traffic, and trade wildlife.
Ending captivity must also be a goal that is prioritised to eliminate the unethical practice that has created a culture of profiteering at the expense of wildlife. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres are the only exceptions for captivity. All private captivity must be outlawed.
The US is failing wildlife species due to the overall disregard towards wildlife. I’m highlighting the US specifically because of the supply and demand that exists and exploits wildlife species as a commodity. Legal protection was needed decades ago. Failure to act now will accelerate the current projection. Which will result in another mass extinction event. The cause is "human activity," as our societies revolve around the delusional mentality of zero consequences.
Reminder: If biodiversity collapses, we will witness global consequences.
(Survival shelters cannot save anyone from extinction.)
