The Bengal tiger is found primarily in India with smaller populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Burma. It is the most numerous of all tiger sub-species with around 1,850 left in the wild. The creation of tiger reserves in the 1970s helped to stabilise numbers but poaching in recent years inside the reserves has once again put the Bengal tiger at risk.
Bengal (Indian) tiger
Indian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).
Subscribe to WWF
Key Facts
-
Common names
Bengal tiger, Indian tiger; Tigre du Bengal (Fr); Tigre de Bengal (Sp)
-
Scientific Name
Panthera tigris tigris
-
status
IUCN: Endangered A2bcd+4bcd; C1+2a(i); CITES: Appendix I
-
Population
Around 1,850 individuals
-
Habitat
Dry and wet deciduous forests, grassland and sal forests and temperate forests, mangrove forests
-
Weight
Around 250 kg
-
length
nearly 3 meters
Tiger range, former and current
Map
Most numerous tiger pushed out of its home
The Bengal (Indian) tiger is the most numerous of all tiger subspecies. However, a burgeoning human population and its own needs are pushing the tiger out of its natural habitat.
Increasing human-tiger conflicts often lead to retributive killings. The tiger also faces a serious threat from poachers.
Increasing human-tiger conflicts often lead to retributive killings. The tiger also faces a serious threat from poachers.
Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Where do Bengal tigers live?
Bengal tigers are found in a wide range of habitats in South Asia – from mountains to savannas to mangroves.A tiger also found in mangroves
Bengal tigers mostly inhabit the dry and wet deciduous forests of central and south India, the Terai-Duar grassland and sal forests of the Himalayan foothills of India and Nepal, and the temperate forests of Bhutan.
They are also found in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China.
The mangroves of the Sundarbans (shared between Bangladesh and India) are the only mangrove forests where tigers are found. The Sundarbans are increasingly threatened by sea-level rise as a result of climate change.
How many Bengal tigers are left?
The Bengal tiger is the most numerous subspecies, with around 1,850 individuals surviving in the wild.India is home to the largest population, with about 1,400 tigers – although a recent government survey indicates there may be as few as 1,300. Around 150 live in Nepal. Accurate estimates are not available in other countries.
Major habitat types
Dry and wet deciduous forests, grassland and sal forests, temperate forests, mangrove forestsBiogeographic realm
Indo-MalayanRange states
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, NepalGeographical location
South AsiaPriority regions
Western GhatsVideo footage of Bengal tiger
What is WWF doing?
We are working with local partners to strengthen anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce threats to the natural habitat, both in India and Nepal. Work is underway to reduce pressure on natural forests in order to reduce conflict with people.
Saving tigers by protecting their landscapes
In 2002, WWF developed a new and far-reaching strategy in partnership with other conservationists and authorities. The cornerstone of the tiger conservation programme is a landscape-based approach. Seven priority landscapes have been identified where conservation will benefit the long-term survival of tigers in the wild.
Within these key landscapes, WWF and its partners work to reduce or remove threats to tigers in the wild by restoring their habitat, maintaining connectivity, and securing a wilderness landscape, strengthening anti-poaching efforts, working with villages in critical tiger corridors, mitigating human-wildlife conflict by creating physical barriers (solar fencing, CPTs), providing interim relief schemes to curb retaliatory killing, providing alternatives to reduce pressure on forest resources, exploring and supporting alternative livelihood options, facilitating institutional strengthening of local communities and creating awareness among villagers and local populace for their protection.
Projects that support WWF's work:
Where we work for tigers
Saving tigers by protecting their landscapes
In 2002, WWF developed a new and far-reaching strategy in partnership with other conservationists and authorities. The cornerstone of the tiger conservation programme is a landscape-based approach. Seven priority landscapes have been identified where conservation will benefit the long-term survival of tigers in the wild.
Within these key landscapes, WWF and its partners work to reduce or remove threats to tigers in the wild by restoring their habitat, maintaining connectivity, and securing a wilderness landscape, strengthening anti-poaching efforts, working with villages in critical tiger corridors, mitigating human-wildlife conflict by creating physical barriers (solar fencing, CPTs), providing interim relief schemes to curb retaliatory killing, providing alternatives to reduce pressure on forest resources, exploring and supporting alternative livelihood options, facilitating institutional strengthening of local communities and creating awareness among villagers and local populace for their protection.
Projects that support WWF's work:
Where we work for tigers
Tx2 - we want to double the number of tigers in the wild
Tracing tiger tracks and pug markers of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Corbett National Park. This WWF project was a follow up on the activities carried out under the Indian government's Project Tiger.
How you can help
- Visit this page for a full list of actions you can take to help protect tigers and support our Tiger Campaign.
- Spread the word! Click on the button to share this information with others via email or your favourite social networking service.
You can help WWF today
By donating to WWF, you join the ranks of 5 million like minded people who care about the planet. If you can, please make a donation today.
