The discovery of a tiger carcass floating in the River Raimangal paints a troubling picture and further promotes the population of Bengal tigers as a matter of utmost concern.
According to the most recent Tiger census, the number of Bengal tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans saw an increase to a recorded 114, up from the recorded 106 during the prior survey. For context, the number was as high as 440 all the way back in 2004.
For a long time, tiger poaching and trafficking have been major issues for us -- between the years 2000 and 2018, Bangladeshi authorities had found 44 tigers killed by poachers while seven were rescued which led to the United States listing Bangladesh among the countries which were a major source of poaching.
Even though there remains much confusion and controversy surrounding the number of tigers being poached or trafficked it is still incontrovertible to declare that more must be done to protect our tigers. For comparison’s sake, according to the last tiger census carried out in India the number of tigers stood at 3,167, which is 200 more than the country had four years before the current figure.
According to the most recent Tiger census, the number of Bengal tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans saw an increase to a recorded 114, up from the recorded 106 during the prior survey. For context, the number was as high as 440 all the way back in 2004.
For a long time, tiger poaching and trafficking have been major issues for us -- between the years 2000 and 2018, Bangladeshi authorities had found 44 tigers killed by poachers while seven were rescued which led to the United States listing Bangladesh among the countries which were a major source of poaching.
Even though there remains much confusion and controversy surrounding the number of tigers being poached or trafficked it is still incontrovertible to declare that more must be done to protect our tigers. For comparison’s sake, according to the last tiger census carried out in India the number of tigers stood at 3,167, which is 200 more than the country had four years before the current figure.
We need to start emulating India’s success in tiger conservation, needless to say.
While poaching and trafficking have declined over the years, given the incredibly low population of Bengal Tigers in our nation, it behooves the relevant authorities to bolster protective measures against threats and roll them into our overall national conservation efforts towards this most symbolic of animals.
The Bengal tiger is an inextricable part of our national identity. We have to do whatever it takes to protect them.
While poaching and trafficking have declined over the years, given the incredibly low population of Bengal Tigers in our nation, it behooves the relevant authorities to bolster protective measures against threats and roll them into our overall national conservation efforts towards this most symbolic of animals.
The Bengal tiger is an inextricable part of our national identity. We have to do whatever it takes to protect them.
