External Threats:
* Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and development are shrinking tiger habitat, isolating populations and reducing their ability to find food and mates.
* Poaching: Illegal hunting for tiger parts (bones, skin, teeth) for traditional medicine and the black market is a major threat, particularly in Asia.
* Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human populations grow, encroachment into tiger habitat increases the chances of conflict, leading to retaliatory killings of tigers by humans.
* Climate Change: Changing weather patterns and increased extreme events like floods and droughts can disrupt tiger prey populations and impact their overall survival.
* Disease: Zoonotic diseases, like canine distemper, can spread through tiger populations, particularly in areas where they come into contact with domestic animals.
Internal Threats:
* Inbreeding: Shrinking populations and fragmentation can lead to inbreeding, which reduces genetic diversity and makes tigers more susceptible to disease and environmental changes.
* Prey Depletion: Overhunting of prey species by humans or other predators can make it harder for tigers to find enough food, especially when their habitat is fragmented.
* Lack of Genetic Diversity: Isolated tiger populations may not be able to maintain genetic diversity, which can increase vulnerability to disease and environmental changes.
These problems are interconnected and create a complex web of challenges for tigers. Many conservation efforts focus on addressing these threats, including habitat protection, anti-poaching initiatives, and community engagement to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
It's important to remember that tigers are apex predators, playing a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Their decline has significant implications for the entire jungle and the balance of nature.