BENGAL OR INDIAN TIGER  
Panthera tigris tigris (or Panthera tigris bengalensis)

The most common subspecies of tiger is the Bengal Tiger, sometimes referred to as "The Royal Bengal Tiger" or the "Indian Tiger", which is the national animal of India and of Bangladesh. The second largest of the tiger subspecies, the Bengal Tiger has been able to adapt to a variety of habitats, including including grasslands, subtropical and tropical rainforests, scrub forests, wet and dry deciduous forests and mangroves. It can be found currently in Bangladesh, India and also in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and in southern Tibet. This beautiful tiger is now strictly protected. The Bangladesh government in particular is working very hard at increasing awareness of the plight of this animal, and discouraging and severely punishing those people who continue to hunt and poach this tiger for its skin, teeth and bones, which are used as ingredients in traditional East Asian medicines. The hunting for Chinese medicine and fur is the biggest reason for the severe decline in numbers and endangerment of these tigers. In India, retired Indian Army personnel are being recruited to save the Bengal Tiger from organized poaching groups.

RETURN to HDW's Wild Cats Portrait Gallery