Indian wildlife reserves:

Many of India's 80 game reserves are large, with the Sundarbans (translation: 'Beautiful Forest'), being both the world's largest secure area for tigers and the biggest mangrove.

In the safety of Indian tiger reserves, such as Rathambhore, Bengal tigers can be found hunting during the day. As the tiger is a nocturnal animal this is very unusual.

The tigers of the Sundarbans are renown man-eaters and the only tigers that will actually choose to attack man. This happens even though the tigers are in perfect health and plenty of prey is in the locality.

More information on the man-eaters of the Sundarbans can be found off the main menu.

For the most part, reserves are well-managed, although poachers are often better equipped than the wildlife staff, therefore workers tend to be poorly motivated. Adding to the problems is a severe reduction in forested land, from 75% to only 20%.

The Sundarbans, too, has now come under threat from oil and gas development. It is presently home to 450 Royal Bengal tigers.

The Bangladesh Government has completed the signing of a Production Sharing Contract (PSC). This association with the Shell Oil Company and Cairn Energy allows them to begin working in this area. The companies do not have a good conservation history.

Prey species of the Bengal tiger:

The principle prey of this subspecies are wild deer, such as the chital and sambar, and wild pig. They will also hunt gaur (a type of oxen), not hesitating to attack bulls weighing up to 1,000 kg.

Monkeys, birds, reptiles, fish and the young of elephant and rhino; all of these are potential prey if the opportunity arises.  

Bengal - Page 1&2: In The Wild | 3: In Captivity | 4: Subspecies Description | 5: Weight & Length Figures |
6: Conservation

Subspecies Image Map | Home

Photography With Thanks To Aditya Singh (Photo 1)
Tiger Touch (Photo 2)
 © All Rights Reserved. Displayed here with permission, for educational, non-profit purposes.