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Call to save tigers in the Sundarbans

Wednesday, 29 July 2015


A top zoologist has appealed to the Bangladesh government to take expeditious measures to save the Royal Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans after a survey found their numbers dwindling alarmingly, reports bdnews24.com.
There were 440 tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, according to the 2004 Tiger Census (following pugmark tracking).
But the 2013-2015 Forest Department Survey (using hidden cameras) concluded that there were only 106 tigers left in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans.
Wildlife Institute of India offered technical support to the survey.
In the West Bengal part of the Sundarbans, the number of tigers hass risen to 76 in 2014 from 70 in 2010 that compares poorly to the 30 per cent rise in India's Tiger population in the same four-year phase.  
Dhaka University Zoology Department Chairman Prof Md Anwarul Islam told the News agency: "The forest department had earlier said the number was 440 and now is saying it is 106. We have to accept whatever is said officially. But it's true that tiger population is decreasing." He blamed poaching and food shortage for the decrease in the number of tigers.