The tiger's habitat is the densest in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, which are in Bangladesh. This habitat is being destroyed quickly by humans using the "Slash-and-Burn" technique. This is when rain forest trees, shrubbery, and undergrowth are cut up by farmers with machetes, and is burnt. The burning releases nutrients from the plant matter, and then seeds are planted in the ashes. Originally, there were seven species of tiger. The Bali, the Caspian, and the Javan were driven to extinction by man. Poaching is also a huge problem. In the twentieth century, tigers were pests because they hunted livestock. Russia and China offered money for killing tigers. They were shot and poisoned. Tiger hunting was popular with the British, and was used for training for Russian soldiers.
Tiger hunting is illegal today, and many tigers live on wildlife preserves. But many of them are still being slaughtered by poachers. The bones and other parts are used in traditional oriental medicine, and the eyes are used for good luck charms. This is done even though the trade of products made from tigers is illegal. This business makes over 1.7 billion dollars a year. A tiger pelt can sell for almost 10,000 dollars!
If the selling of these products continues, we will never again be able to see the magnificence of this creature. Many people and organizations, like All For Tigers, are trying to save these remaining species. If you wish to help the Bengal Tigers with a cash donation, you can go to http://tiger.to/aft/index.html.