A Study On Current Status Of Tiger In Bangladesh

Abstract

The Bengal tiger [Panthera tigris tigris (Linnaeus 1758)] is the National Animal of both Bangladesh and India. It is an intimate part of the history and culture of this region. The tiger is the largest of the cats and is one of the world’s most magnificent animals. Of eight sub-species of the tiger, the Bengal tiger mainly occurs in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Fifty years ago tigers were found in all the forested areas of Bangladesh, but today the only stable population is in the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans of Bangladesh harbours one of the biggest unfragmented tiger populations on earth comparing only to the tiger population in the Russian Far East. The tiger is the pride of the fauna of the Sundarbans. Since the tiger is at the top of the ecological pyramid of the mangrove ecosystem, it is also considered as the Flagship or Umbrella Species to conserve the unique biodiversity of the Sundarbans. There also some tigers present in captivity in different zoos and safari parks. The population of tiger is declining gradually and according to IUCN Criteria, the Bengal tiger has been categorised as globally Endangered and nationally Critically Endangered. It is distressing to imagine a Bangladesh or a world without Bengal tigers. With careful planning and concerted effort, that prospect does not have to become a reality. This study is carried out to observe the present status of tiger in Bangladesh