The Ethics of Bengal Tigers, Poaching and The Illegal Trade

Did you know that 1 out of every 10,000 Bengal tigers don’t have stripes? Also, they used to live in Europe and they migrated to Asia. Bengal tigers are dying rapidly because of poaching, because of that, countries in Asia need to help stop poaching and illegal trade.

Bengal tigers have a very interesting physical description. The average weight for a male Bengal tiger is 488 pounds, and the average weight for a female Bengal tiger is 308 pounds. For length, the average length for a male is 270-310 inches including the tail, and the average length for a female also including the tail is 240-265 inches; The tail length for both genders is 33½-43 inches. Bengal tigers are not only heavy and long but, they can be different colors! They can be orange, white and even BLUE, and the stripes can range from brown to black. Bengal tigers have orange eyes which they use for sharp eyesight. They have stripes running down the face that makes the stripes look like black tears. Small ears seem abnormal on such a great animal, but a large face makes up for the size of the ears. t Their nose is very sensitive. In fact, they can smell prey from miles away! In short, the bengal tiger is a beautiful animal with many unique features. It would be a shame to see its beauty be snatched away by poachers.

There are many places in which the Bengal tiger live. They used to live in Europe, but now they live in Asia, mostly in India. Scientists think they were following their prey in order to keep up their appetite. There are small populations in: Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Bhutan and Myanmar. They usually settle in moist evergreen forests, tropical and subtropical deciduous forests and mangroves. In all, Bengal tigers like to settle in tropical areas.

Different animals are prey for the Bengal tiger. Bengal tigers are carnivores. A carnivore is an animal that eats meat. For large prey they usually eat chital, sambar, and gaur. For medium sized animals they eat wild boar, hog deer, muntjac and gray langur. Bengal tigers also have a list of animals that they don’t eat regularly like baringha, water buffalo, nilgai, serow and takin. There have even been recorded attacks of a Bengal tiger attacking a rhino or a elephant!

Endangered animals like the Bengal tiger face similar problems such as poaching, illegal trade and habitat loss. Even though countries are working hard to protect areas of habitat nearly 40% of habitat has been cut down in India. Poaching is also a big threat. There used to be 25,000 thriving Bengal tigers. Now, there are only 2,500 left. Poaching was very high through 2000 and 2010. Nearly 15,000 were wiped out due to poaching. Poachers usually take the skin, but they also get the meat, ears, tail, paws and even the eyes! We need to stop the poaching illegal trade and habitat loss.

Different organizations in the world are trying to stop poaching, illegal trade and habitat loss. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of those organizations. Over 49,000 square kilometers of area have been protected including 11 in Nepal, but sadly it isn’t stopping poachers. It has cut it down by 30% but the Bengal tigers are still dying. Even local communities are pitching in. Four-hundred community led anti-poaching operations are in Nepal. WWF has also cut down the illegal trading business by enforcing laws. In all WWF has really helped to stop poaching, illegal trade and habitat loss.

Bengal tigers are loved in many parts in Asia, but not all of them are for good reasons. This is why action should be taken to stop poachers. If laws against poaching, illegal trade and cutting down habitat weren’t enforced or organizations supporting those laws, they would be extinct. Just because 2,500 are left doesn’t mean people should stop helping. Because Bengal tigers are close to being extinct, more organizations should take action and help enforce laws to stop poaching, illegal trade and habitat loss.