Tiger plight

Bengal tigers live in the forests and grasslands of India, places that provide the ideal cover for them to hunt. Their distinctive striped coats help tigers slip into the undergrowth and almost disappear. Their stealth takes them close to their prey, and their strength allows them to ambush large animals like deer and wild pig. Tigers live in defended territories, a solitary life unless a female has cubs. Youngsters stay with their mother for up to 18 months while they learn how to fend for themselves. Tigers face three problems: direct poaching for their skins and bones, loss of suitable cover to hunt in and a lack of prey animals. In the past century we've lost a staggering 95% of the world's tigers, their tragic plight has made them one of the planet's most potent symbols for conservation.