Characteristics

• • The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a subspecies of tiger native to the Indian subcontinent.

• It inhabits hot and humid forests, and wetlands of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.

• The Bengal tiger’s coat is yellow to light orange, with stripes ranging from dark brown to black.

• Males are larger in size than females.
• They are solitary hunters.
• They are carnivorous in their diet, preying on ungulates such as deer and antelope, gaurs, and wild boars.

Threats 

• • Habitat loss and fragmentation due to increased human activities such as  deforestation, industrialisation is threatening tiger populations.
  • Another significant threat to tiger populations is the illegal wildlife trade in poached skins and body parts.

• There is a growing demand for the bones and teeth of tigers in traditional Chinese medicines.

• There has been a rise in the incidences of man-animal conflicts resulting in retaliatory killings of tigers.

Conservation status

• Wildlife Protection Act (2022): Schedule I

• CITES : Appendix I