The Sundarban Tiger

[Dr Panthera]

(12-18-2015, 08:39 PM)GuateGojira Wrote: Check this image, about the size of the Sundarbans tigers:

*This image is copyright of its original author

As we can see, they are relative smaller in body size, but very light in weight, compared with the mainland tigers. The few old records show this, but the difference has been more dramatic in modern times. Other possibility is that only specimens with bad health has been captured, so this influence in the weight recorded.

Contrary to popular belief, the Sundarbans population is among the lowest in the world, and the animals here constantly struggle with a low prey base and floods in all the area. These tigers are living, literally, in the edge.

I wouldn't say "on the edge", their habitat is safe from massive human intrusion which remains the biggest threat to any animal on earth, the Sunderban can be a safe haven for tigers and their long term survival and recovery are possible.
On the other hand their numbers are not as high as the outdated pugmark census indicates ( 300 in India and 600 in Bangladesh) their actual numbers can be lower than 100 in India and lower than 200 in Bangladesh, doubling these numbers is possible.
The males from Mukherjee and Mallick appeared to be in good health, the females from Adam Barlow's study were in poor health yet his examination of skulls of Sunderban tigers suggest they are likely to be smaller than Sumatran tigers, more data is needed Reply