Bengal Tiger Research Articles

Survival strategy–Temporal segregation of different age and sex classes of a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris Linnaeus) population in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh India

Survival strategy–Temporal segregation of different age and sex classes of a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris Linnaeus) population in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh India

Enrichment provision for sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Bali Zoo, Gianyar

Tiger Panthera tigris has a significant ecological role in its ecosystem, however, its population in nature has been declining drastically due to habitat degradation/loss, poaching of the tigers and their prey, wildlife trade, and human-tiger conflict. All P. tigris sub-species are included as endangered species on the IUCN red list and included in CITES Appendix 1. One of the efforts made to conserve endangered species is to link ex-situ conservation efforts with in-situ conservation. Providing enrichment can increase the complexity of the captive environment and further improve animal welfare by triggering active behaviour and preventing the emergence of stereotyped behaviour that often occurs in tiger species kept in cages at zoos. The Bali Zoo is an ex-situ conservation organization that plays a role in efforts to conserve tigers outside their natural habitat. This study aims to determine the types of enrichment given to sumatran tigers and bengal tigers at the Bali Zoo. This research was conducted in February-March 2021 using the direct observation method. This study recorded that various types of enrichment had been given which included food enrichment, sensory enrichment, physical enrichment, cognitive enrichment, and social enrichment to sumatran tigers and bengal tigers at the Bali Zoo. This provision has been able to reduce stress levels in these animals. Furthermore, although provision various types of enrichment have been well conducted in Bali Zoo, it is advisable to make more variety in anticipation to avoid causing boredom to the animals.

생태학적 생기력과 포스트휴먼 윤리 비전

This paper aims to reexamine anthropocentric attitudes toward the non-human world and the commodification of nature driven by human self-centeredness. It also seeks to propose an affirmative posthuman ethics in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. This novel illustrates how the castaway Pi undergoes a transformation, acquiring posthuman subjectivity as he escapes the grip of anthropocentrism and moves toward interconnectedness with both humans and non-humans while surviving in the Pacific Ocean with the Bengal tiger, Richard Parker. Pi’s experience of unity with nature signifies his growing understanding of the interdependent realities involving nature, the environment and animals. From the perspective of vitalist materialism, Pi comes to realize that he is an integral part of coexistence and coevolution within his relationship with nature and the non-human world. His subjectivity is oriented toward a sense of belonging to the universe. This novel not only prompts a shift in humanity’s environmental consciousness toward a postanthropocentric perspective but also encourages a harmonious balances between humans and non-humans. It suggests a vitalist posthuman ethics for a sustainable future. The relationality between humans and non-humans does not entail a return to exclusive privilege but rather points toward the interconnected facets of vitalist materialism. Pi’s transformation into a relational self with the non-human world invites readers to participate in the process of ‘becoming’ within generative environments and to pursue coevolution within vitalistic self-organizing assemblages.

Animal Bites in ENT

Introduction:
 Animal bites can range from abrasions to laceration injury and are notorious for causing infectious diseases like rabies. Four such animal bite cases presented to ENT emergency, two of them assaulted by the Royal Bengal Tiger and the remaining two were bitten by their pet dogs. The management protocol has been discussed for the four cases.
 
 Case reports:
 The first two case reports deal with tiger attack and the other two involve bites by the pet dogs. The primary management of the cases has been described, followed by definite treatment.
 
 Conclusion:
 Primary management of the case involves washing the wounds with normal saline. Anti-rabies vaccination followed by regular antiseptic dressing was done and the definite repair was done in the second sitting.

The British Lion’s Triumph over the Bengal Tiger: The Royal Combat and the Allegory of Imperial Dominance

This article shows how the allegory of British-tiger rivalry became a distinct feature in 19th-century British imperial visual culture to imagined imperial attitudes over India. After the second Anglo-Mysore war (1799) between the East Indian Company and the Tipu Sultan, in 1808, a visual description of lion-tiger bloodshed was issued as a medal by the East India Company to reward its troops. Such a description shows a lion, representing the British nation’s suppression over a Bengal tiger, the royal emblem of Tipu Sultan. After this, the same imagery served to be imagined and visualised the British dominance and control over ruthless and unwilling India. Moreover, in such an allegory, a fiction of dead white women was added to invoke nationalism among Britons. This raises a feminist issue of how this fictional image of victimised women fulfils the British masculine agenda of imperialism and nationalism while the women remain deprived.

Conservation status of Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris in the earth’s only mangrove tigerland: A review of efforts and challenges

<p>Sundarban is the earth’s largest contiguous ‘mangrove forest’ (‘Bādābān’) designated as protected or conservation areas including biosphere reserve, tiger reserve, core area, critical tiger habitat, primitive (wilderness) zone, national park, wildlife sanctuaries, buffer area and reserved forests, covering 10,277 km<sup>2</sup> forest area [4260 km<sup>2</sup> (41.45%) in India and 6017 km<sup>2</sup> (58.55%) in Bangladesh]. This natural biodiversity hotspot is the only mangrove tigerland and the ‘last stronghold’ of <em>Panthera tigris tigris</em> with a camera trap-based population estimate of 214 (100 in Indian Sundarbans and 114 in Bangladesh Sundarbans) supported by a creek (sign) survey. Globally, Sundarban is a prioritised class I tiger conservation landscape extending over 5304 km<sup>2</sup> or 51.6% of total terrestrial and aquatic mangrove habitat in the region, which is facing emergent conservation challenges due to natural and anthropogenic threats. Several conservation actions have been executed to stabilise and increase the tiger population. There is cause for ‘cautious future optimism’ since the trend of historically high rates of mangrove clearing and degradation has slowed down and tiger population in the Sundarban mangroves has slightly increased and remains stable during the last three enumerations (2018–2022) in India (the results of the current camera-based census in Bangladesh counterpart are to be announced on 29 July 2024), which can be attributed to some positive improvements of tiger habitat management.</p>

Mitigating human-wildlife conflict and monitoring endangered tigers using a real-time camera-based alert system.

The recovery of wild tigers in India and Nepal is a remarkable conservation achievement, but it sets the stage for increased human-wildlife conflict where parks are limited in size and where tigers reside outside reserves. We deployed an innovative technology, the TrailGuard AI camera-alert system, which runs on-the-edge artificial intelligence algorithms to detect tigers and poachers and transmit real-time images to designated authorities responsible for managing prominent tiger landscapes in India. We successfully captured and transmitted the first images of tigers using cameras with embedded AI and detected poachers. Notifications of tiger images were received in real time, approximately 30 seconds from camera trigger to appearing in a smart phone app. We review use cases of this AI-based real-time alert system for managers and local communities and suggest how the system could help monitor tigers and other endangered species, detect poaching, and provide early warnings for human-wildlife conflict.

Evaluating feedback dynamics between poaching and population with an application to Indian tigers

AbstractA cornerstone of conservation policy for endangered species subject to illegal harvest involves estimating their population and offtake numbers. Census enumerations are expensive to conduct on nationwide scales, especially in resource‐constrained countries housing such species. Resource and data limitations necessitate the estimation of population counts. The effect of poaching on species recruitment is often ignored in scientific population projections. Estimation of population counts should account for the interactive feedback between harvest and recruitment. Data on tiger population sizes and poaching from 51 reserves in India between 1994 and 2022 were obtained to calibrate a coupled ecological‐economic model of tiger population dynamics and poaching. Cobb–Douglas harvest functions with differing degrees of concavity and scale economies are used to characterize the economics of poaching. Population dynamics are evaluated using exponential and critical depensation growth functions. The predictive abilities of linked models and their parameter parsimony are evaluated using information criteria. Poaching is shown to substantially affect recruitment dynamics and is best characterized by a Schaefer function coupled with critical depensation growth. This paper provides a novel perspective of the interaction between tiger poaching and population dynamics in India. A systematic understanding of coupled ecological‐economic processes would improve the management of high‐value endangered species.

High-throughput DNA metabarcoding for determining the gut microbiome of captive critically endangered Malayan tiger (Pantheratigrisjacksoni) during fasting.

The Malayan tiger (Pantheratigrisjacksoni) is a critically endangered species native to the Malaysian Peninsula. To imitate wild conditions where tigers do not hunt every day, numerous wildlife sanctuaries do not feed their tigers daily. However, the effects of fasting on the gut microbiota of captive Malayan tigers remains unknown. This study aimed to characterise the gut microbiota of captive Malayan tigers by comparing their microbial communities during fasting versus normal feeding conditions. This study was conducted at the Melaka Zoo, Malaysian Peninsula and involved Malayan tigers fasted every Monday. In total, ten faecal samples of Malayan tiger, two of Bengal tiger (outgroup) and four of lion (outgroup) were collected and analysed for metabarcoding targeting the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region. In total, we determined 14 phyla, 87 families, 167 genera and 53 species of gut microbiome across Malayan tiger samples. The potentially harmful bacterial genera found in this study included Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Solobacterium, Echerichiashigella, Ignatzschineria and Negativibacillus. The microbiome in the fasting phase had a higher composition and was more diverse than in the feeding phase. The present findings indicate a balanced ratio in the dominant phyla, reflecting a resetting of the imbalanced gut microbiota due to fasting. These findings can help authorities in how to best maintain and improve the husbandry and health of Malayan tigers in captivity and be used for monitoring in ex-situ veterinary care unit.

The Study on the Behavior of Female White Tigers in Different Captive Conditions at Chiang Mai Night Safari

White tiger is a tiger characterized by its white fur, which is caused by a pigmentation disorder, often found in Bengal tigers with gene abnormalities. White tiger is considered as a vulnerable (IUCN) animal species. Therefore, it is important for conservation. Thus, the objective of this study was to observe the behavior patterns of female white tiger in different captive conditions. Seven female white tigers were used in this study. Three captive conditions were studied: individual captive, dividual captive and captive with other tiger species. The tiger behavior was observed in five groups including daily routine, movement, relaxation, self-grooming and affiliative behaviors. Behavioral observations were performed at 7 hours/day for 90 days. The results showed that the individual captive tigers expressed self-grooming and relaxation higher than dividual captive tigers and white tiger captive with other tigers (P<0.001). Dividual captive showed daily routine and movement higher than individual captive and white tiger captive with the other tiger (P<0.001). White tiger captive tigers with other tiger species showed affiliative behaviors higher than individual captive and dividual captive tigers (P<0.001). This study was able to be used as a guideline for further enhancing behavior and designing display areas that may be suitable for white tigers.

Ancient DNA reveals genetic admixture in China during tiger evolution.

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a charismatic megafauna species that originated and diversified in Asia and probably experienced population contraction and expansion during the Pleistocene, resulting in low genetic diversity of modern tigers. However, little is known about patterns of genomic diversity in ancient populations. Here we generated whole-genome sequences from ancient or historical (100-10,000 yr old) specimens collected across mainland Asia, including a 10,600-yr-old Russian Far East specimen (RUSA21, 8× coverage) plus six ancient mitogenomes, 14 South China tigers (0.1-12×) and three Caspian tigers (4-8×). Admixture analysis showed that RUSA21 clustered within modern Northeast Asian phylogroups and partially derived from an extinct Late Pleistocene lineage. While some of the 8,000-10,000-yr-old Russian Far East mitogenomes are basal to all tigers, one 2,000-yr-old specimen resembles present Amur tigers. Phylogenomic analyses suggested that the Caspian tiger probably dispersed from an ancestral Northeast Asian population and experienced gene flow from southern Bengal tigers. Lastly, genome-wide monophyly supported the South China tiger as a distinct subspecies, albeit with mitochondrial paraphyly, hence resolving its longstanding taxonomic controversy. The distribution of mitochondrial haplogroups corroborated by biogeographical modelling suggested that Southwest China was a Late Pleistocene refugium for a relic basal lineage. As suitable habitat returned, admixture between divergent lineages of South China tigers took place in Eastern China, promoting the evolution of other northern subspecies. Altogether, our analysis of ancient genomes sheds light on the evolutionary history of tigers and supports the existence of nine modern subspecies.

Can Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) endure the future climate and land use change scenario in the East Himalayan Region? Perspective from a multiple model framework.

Large mammals are susceptible to land use and climate change, unless they are safeguarded within large, protected areas. It is crucial to comprehend the effects of these changes on mammals to develop a conservation plan. We identified ecological hotspots that can sustain an ecosystem for the endangered Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), an umbrella species. We developed three distinct ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) for the Bengal tiger in the Indian East Himalayan Region (IEHR). The first model served as the baseline and considered habitat type, climate, land cover, and anthropogenic threats. The second model focused on climate, land use, and anthropogenic threats, the third model focused on climate variables. We projected the second and third models onto two future climate scenarios: RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. We evaluated the threats possess to protected areas within eco-sensitive zone based on the potential tiger habitat. Finally, we compared the potential habitat with the IUCN tiger range. Our study revealed that the Brahmaputra valley will serve as the primary habitat for tigers in the future. However, considering the projected severe climate scenarios, it is anticipated that tigers will undergo a range shift towards the north and east, especially in high-altitude regions. Very high conservation priority areas, which make up 3.4% of the total area, are predominantly located in the riverine corridor of Assam. High conservation priority areas, which make up 5.5% of total area are located in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is important to note that conservation priority areas outside of protected areas pose a greater threat to tigers. We recommend reassessing the IUCN Red List's assigned range map for tigers in the IEHR, as it is over-predicted. Our study has led us to conclude both land use and climate change possess threats to the future habitat of tigers. The outcomes of our study will provide crucial information on identifying habitat hotspots and facilitate appropriate conservation planning efforts.

Cowpox in zoo and wild animals in the United Kingdom

Cowpox virus is considered to be a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen and a public health threat due to increasing numbers of cases in humans and animals in Europe over the past decade, including within the United Kingdom (UK). We present epidemiological data and diagnostic features of 27 recent, naturally occurring cowpox cases in zoo and wild animals across the UK, including the first reports of cowpox in two snow leopards (Panthera uncia), a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), three Chilean pudus (Pudu puda), a Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) and a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and the first reports of Orthopoxvirus infection in a lar gibbon (Hylobates lar), a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and an aardvark (Orycteropus afer). This study provides a detailed overview of cowpox infections in a wide range of non-domestic animal species, presents a range of methods for diagnosis and demonstrates the value of retrospective analysis of pathology surveillance in revealing epidemiological links.

Protecting the Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh: conservation measures reconsidered

ABSTRACT The research demonstrates that doubling the number of tigers as Bangladesh pledged at the 2010 ‘Tiger Summit’ is impossible without restoring the Sundarbans’ intact habitat and ecological balance. The research identifies the barriers to tiger conservation in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans. Last, a number of conservation strategies are put forward, including adopting a cross-border conservation plan and preserving the habitat in its natural state.

Enhancing human-tiger coexistence in forest corridors of Nepal through a socio-ecological approach to conservation

Forest corridors in lowlands of Nepal provide connectivity for endangered Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) between Nepal and India. In recent years, both Bengal tiger and human populations in these areas have increased, leading to greater potential for conflict. Although people's attitudes and behaviors towards Bengal tigers have been relatively positive, increased tiger attacks are likely to negatively impact human perceptions of risks. We investigated current views of people living in four different communities of the Khata Corridor of Nepal and inferred how their opinions of Bengal tigers varied based on multiple locality-specific effects. We conducted in-person household surveys (N = 177) using a systematic random sampling design and semi-structured questionnaires. In general, people had positive attitudes towards Bengal tigers but also believed expanding populations in the region were responsible for greater conflict. There was a consensus opinion that Bengal tiger abundances should remain constant or be reduced in the next 10 years, indicating potential for reduced acceptance. However, individual's attitude and tolerance for Bengal tigers varied based on structure of local human settlements. Our finding suggest individuals living in communities lacking formal education, with more frequent visitation to forest habitats, higher intensity of hostile interactions, and no benefits from tourism had lower levels of tolerance. Greater tolerance for Bengal tigers was conversely most associated with opposite settlement demographics. Coexistence between humans and Bengal tigers may be enhanced by working towards equal opportunities for eco-tourism among settlements, and public reporting of research findings to counter negative opinions that are not supported by data.

Effect of Electroejaculation Protocols on Semen Quality and Concentrations of Testosterone, Cortisol, Malondialdehyde, and Creatine Kinase in Captive Bengal Tigers

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is critically endangered, so assisted reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination, are important conservation tools. For wild and domestic felids, electroejaculation (EE) is the most common semen collection method, with protocols optimized to obtain sufficient amounts of viable sperm for artificial insemination. However, less attention has been paid to ensuring animal wellbeing during the process. This study examined the effects of three EE protocols (Low, 2–5 volts; Medium, 3–6 volts; High, 4–7 volts) on semen quality, testicular size, serum testosterone, creatine kinase (CK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, and serum cortisol as a proxy for stress. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after each EE series. Seminal plasma pH, and sperm motility, viability, and morphology were evaluated after each procedure. Seminal plasma and sperm pellet MDA concentrations were also determined. Primary sperm abnormalities and seminal plasma MDA were higher in the Low compared to Medium and High voltage groups (p < 0.05). Serum CK in the High voltage group increased during the EE series (p < 0.05), suggesting the potential for muscle damage. However, no significant changes were observed for serum cortisol, testosterone, or MDA concentrations. Results suggest the Medium voltage protocol produced good quality samples at lower voltages than the High protocol with no negative effect on muscle function, which might be better for animal welfare.

Nature of human–tiger conflict in Indian Sundarban

The Sundarban biosphere reserve is the largest mangrove forest in the world, situated partially in India and Bangladesh. This eco-sensitive estuarine delta is designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The population density of this estuarine forest region has been relatively low for a long past, but in last few decades it is increasing rapidly, especially after the partition of India. This is creating an immense pressure on forest resources. Mangrove forest area has been converting into arable land, putting all natural animal and local people in a precarious situation. The Sundarban usually is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger, one of the famous endangered species. Due to massive deforestation the habitat of tigers is being destroyed and as a result tigers sometimes attack nearby villagers. The forest dwellers of Sundarban are dependent on the forest resources for their livelihood for which they collect wax, honey, firewood etc. Such human intervention in the forest is changing the composition of core, outer core and buffer forests of Sundarban. This results an increased human–tiger conflict in the study area. The present research work aims to enquire the probable reason of such. Following an intensive study it has been found that, the outer-core of the forest areas are the most vulnerable part of the forest where most of the human–tiger conflicts have been reported and most of the casualties have been identified among the people who are entirely dependent of forest resources for their livelihood.

EFFORT TO SURVIVE IN YANN MARTEL’S NOVEL LIFE OF PI

This study deals with the analysis of the protagonist’s effort to survive in Yann Martel’s novel Life of Pi. This study focuses on three topics. The topics are reading sea survival guidebook, getting defence from the tiger and defending his life. The novel talks about an Indian teenager, who is trapped in the middle of the fierce sea for 227 days with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. To survive, he makes several attempts. He reads survival guidebook found in the lifeboat. He gets defense from the tiger. Then, he defends a life. In this study, the theory of sea survival was applied. This study used descriptive qualitative method because the process of the result and discussion are accomplished descriptively. By applying descriptive qualitative method, this research can prove that protagonist has some efforts to survive because the topics of the protagonist's efforts to survive really exist and can be faced by the protagonist. Based on the research analysis, three efforts to survive are found in the novel. First, The protagonist, Pi does several things to read sea survival guidebook, to get defence from the tiger, and to defend his life.

A Case Report of Mammary Carcinoma in Royal Bengal Tiger

Background: In recent years increased frequency of mammary gland neoplasms have been reported in captive wild felids. Basing on published data, in tigers mammary gland carcinoma always seems to be highly invasive and metastatic. The present report describes a case of Mammary carcinoma with metastasis to lungs in a 20 year old Royal Bengal Tiger. Methods: Detailed necropsy examination of Royal Bengal Tiger revealed the subcutaneous massive lesion in the lower abdominal region. Representative tissue samples were collected in 10% formalin for histopathology examination. Result: Histopathological examination revealed small clusters of neoplastic epithelial cells. Micropapillae lacking fibrovascular cores extending into clear spaces. Cells exhibit moderate anisokaryosis and anisocytosis and variable numbers of mitoses with proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. Microscopic examination of lungs revealed the congestion, edema with focal proliferative neoplastic epithelial cells arranged in small clusters were scattered in the alveolar walls and spaces, indicative of metastasis. These histological features were suggestive of Mammary carcinoma with micropapillary pattern.

Trends, patterns and determinants of biodiversity conservation outcomes in Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the trends, patterns and determinants of biodiversity conservation in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR), India. Temporal remote sensing data from 1990 to 2020 shows a loss of 27.69 km2. The results show that the total forest area has seen a significant decline from 1990 to 2020, whereas non-forest and degraded forest areas have been on the rise. The decline of forest area is observed more in fringe and lower altitude areas where accessibility is easy for humans to extract forest resources. The secondary data shows a decline in the wildlife population including the flagship species, the Bengal tiger. The decline in natural resources due to human activities in the BTR is likely to continue unless a participatory biodiversity conservation programme is established. The establishment of the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC), a formal local institution where local communities and forest departments (FDs) jointly share the rights and responsibility towards the use and management of the forest, seems to be effective in reducing negative forest activities. The sustainability of the BTR is possible if the local people abandon the ‘tragedy of the commons’ activities and work together, with government guidance for the promotion of livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.