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Tiger Numbers Plummet in India

Posted Feb 13, 08 11:50 AM CST in Science & Health,  Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – At least half of India's Bengal tiger population has vanished in the last five years, according to the latest alarming census of the endangered predators. A Project Tiger conservationist blamed "poaching, and loss of quality habitat and prey," reports AFP. A 2002 survey estimated there were 3,700 tigers in India's reserves and forests, but the latest count found just 1,411.

"This is disastrous news, but comes as no surprise," said a conservationist. "Wildlife crime is so entrenched and we are not prepared for it." The Indian government is recruiting ex-soldiers for a tiger protection force, and experts say there is hope the big cats can be saved from annihilation. "The tiger population is capable of bouncing back," said one.

Source AFP

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This undated photo released by Corbett Tiger Reserve, shows a tiger at the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Corbett National Park, India. (AP Photo/Corbett Tiger Reserve,HO)   (Associated Press)
Royal Bengal tigress Krishna sits with her cubs at the Alipore Zoological Garden in Calcutta, India, in this May 17, 2005 file photo. China is seeking Indian support for plans to farm tigers for their...   (Associated Press)
A tiger at the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Corbett National Park, India. A new survey has found that there are far less of the endangered tigers than had been previously estimated. (AP Photo/Corbett Tiger...   (Associated Press)
The Sundarbans. The latest tiger count did not include the numbers that live in the huge mangrove forest, but some experts say there could be as few as 70 Sundarban tigers remaining.   ((c) Frances Voon)
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India • endangered species • conservation • tigers • poaching • Bengal tigers • predators


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