National Tiger Commission to probe death of tigers in Nilgiri forests in Ooty, Tamil Nadu

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This region is known for thriving tiger population. But in just over a span of 35 days, this region witnessed the death of  ten tigers, including six tiger cubs. Times of India reported that that forest officials are still unable to trace the whereabouts of tigresses of the deceased tiger cubs. Normally, mother tigers do not stray more than 200 meters from their cubs. This also intensified the concerns among conservationists. 

Tigers generally gain independence at around two years of age and attain sexual maturity at age three or four for females and four or five years for males. Juvenile mortality is high, however—about half of all cubs do not survive more than two years. Tigers have been known to reach up to 20 years of age in the wild.

Tigers have been known to live to the age of 26 in the wild. Female tigers give birth to two to four cubs at a time, on average, and can do so every two years. Survival is difficult for cubs; about half of all cubs do not live more than two years.

About Tiger:

In the wild, tigers are found in India, Nepal, China, Russia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Sumatra (Indonesia) and Malaysia. Eight sub-species of tiger existed in the past out of which three have been extinct for many years. The five surviving sub species of tiger are 

  • Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh; 
  • Indo-Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) mainly found in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia but are also found in Myanmar, Southern China, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; 
  • Siberian or Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) found in far east Russia;
  • Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) found in the Indonesian island of Sumatra; 
  • South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) found in China. The population found in Peninsular Malaysia has been given a status of separate sub species Panthera tigris jacksoni. 

The three sub species of tigers that became extinct in the past century are: the Bali Tiger (Panthera tigris balica) that was found in the Indonesian island of Bali, the Javan Tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) that was found in the Indonesian island of Java and the Caspian Tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) that was found in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Recent reports indicate that the South China tiger is also extinct in the wild. Recent genetic studies indicate that the Caspian and Siberian tigers may have been the same sub species.

Conservation Status:

Tigers are considered as Endangered under the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species. 

Tiger hunting was officially banned only after the enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972. 

Indian Tiger is an endangered animal and is listed in the Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This act gives it protection against hunting/poaching and trade for skins, bones and body parts. Any person who commits such an offence is punishable with an imprisonment of not less than three years extending up to seven years along with a fine of not less than fifty thousand rupees which may extend up to two lakh rupees. 

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) presently ratified by over 160 countries, makes international trade in tiger parts illegal. India has been a signatory of this convention since the year 1975.

Main Reference for Life Cycle of Tiger:

*** Life Cycle of Tiger - Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute >>>

Previous article:

<<< Project Tiger, National Tiger Conservation Authority and Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF)

Other Reference for Life Cycle of Tiger:

  1. Culture of Tiger Conservation in India - WWF
  2. About Bengal Tiger - WWF
  3. Frequently Ased Questions - Tiger - WWF
  4. Where Do Tigers Live? And Other Tiger Facts - WWF
  5. Tiger - Facts - WWF

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