IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Khan, M.M.H. | |
| Ecology and Conservation of the Bengal Tiger in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest of Bangladesh - Appendices | |
| 2004 Full Book | |
The ecology and conservation of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was studied in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh for 18 months (September 2001- February 2003). The objective was to provide baseline information on: a) prey population structure and density, b) prey selection by tigers, c) relative habitat use by tigers, d) breeding and litter size of tigers, and e) tiger-human interactions, which is a key requirement for effective conservation of this globally-threatened animal. The main methods used in the field were line-transect sampling, scat analysis and kill study, sign surveying, and interviewing. The spotted deer (Cervus axis) was the dominant prey species, both in terms of individual density and biomass density. Based on the prey density, the tiger density was inferred at 4.3 tigers/100 km2 (excluding cubs) in the high density area. The spotted deer and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) were identified as the most social prey species. Other prey species, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and ring lizard (Varanus salvator) were mainly solitary. The spotted deer was the most frequent prey in scats and kills (78%) and it forms 80.1% of the prey biomass consumed by tigers. Other than the spotted deer, tigers also preyed on wild boar, rhesus macaque, lesser adjutant and some other smaller prey species. Soil and sungrass were found in scats (as non-food items). In general, the trend of prey selection appeared to follow prey size and abundance. Most spotted deer kills were adult animals. Tigers may have habitat preference for feeding, resting, defaecation and interaction, but not for movement, scratch-scent-urinal and others (hunting, drinking, etc.). They were found to use soft-barked trees for scratching more often than other types. Tigers may breed throughout the year, but the peak is in winter (October-March). For possible litter size, one was the commonest (60.7%), but the mean litter size was 1.4, which is lower than in other tiger ranges. During this fieldwork, humans killed 7 tigers and tigers killed 41 humans. Based on interviewing local people it was found that most of tigers killed were middle-aged (68%) males (73%). Sixty-eight percent tigers were killed mainly in the villages around the Sundarbans. The main reasons for tiger-killing by people were attacks on humans xi and cattle (76%), but poaching was also a significant reason (19%). Most of the tiger attacks were on middle-aged (73%) fishermen and Bawalis (woodcutters, leaf collectors, etc.), but the pattern mainly followed availability. Tiger-human conflict was highest in winter. The majority of the local people interviewed (53%) relied only on spiritual measures to protect themselves from the tiger. Forty-two percent of the interviewees believed on the medicinal use of tiger parts. Interestingly, despite all of the fatal encounters, 75% of the interviewees wanted the tiger to remain in the Sundarbans, so that the area could be protected from illegal loggers and poachers. A total of 2.8% of the animal protein consumed by local people surveyed came from tiger prey; prey protein was more expensive than non-prey protein. The main threats to tigers persisting in the Sundarbans are illegal human consumption of tiger prey combined with direct poaching of tigers. Over time this may have detrimental effects on the persistence of tigers in the Sundarbans, unless steps are taken to control these activities. |
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