Tiger Demographic

[Shardul]

I am not being an optimist at all. An overall higher percentage of sub adults would mean the conditions are excellent, which is far from true. Common problem in India is when a reserve reaches it's carrying capacity of tigers, the sub adults disperse out, lose protection and get killed by humans. The 'source' population remains the same, the extra animals dispersing out have no 'Sink Areas' that can absorb them. Take Ranthambhore for eg, even with the best protection and prey available, it cannot carry 100 tigers. It currently has about 35 and that will remain stable more or less. The resident tigers will keep breeding and the dispersing animals will keep dying if they do not find a suitable habitat outside ranthambhore. Other areas with lesser protection have animals being killed around and some times inside the reserves. Tigers are prolific breeders. Give them enough prey and protection and their population will rebound in no time. Reply