Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) belongs to order Carnivora and family Felidae. The Bengal Tiger probably arrived in the Indian subcontinent approximately 12,000 years ago. It occurs in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Its populations exist in fragmented locations in the Terai region and core sub populations are concentrated in the protected areas of Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park, Parsa Naional Park, Banke National Park and Shukla Phanta National and the districts of Banke, Bara, Bardia, Chitwan, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Makawanpur, Nawalparasi, Parsa and Rupandehi. This area was once a continuous subtropical forest zone but tigers are now isolated to the remnants of remaining suitable habitat. Most tigers exist within protected areas however approximately a quarter remain outside. The global population of this species is about 3200. According to the Annual Report of DNPWC (2019), its population is 235. It is listed as endangered species by IUCN red list category as it is experiencing declines due to Poaching and illegal trade, Reduction in prey base, Habitat fragmentation or modification, and Human-tiger conflict. hunting and habitat degradation and fragmentation. National red list of mammals categorizes it as an endangered species. The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix I in CITES law.
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