1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
* Deforestation: Siberian tigers require vast, undisturbed forests for hunting and breeding. As forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, and development, their habitat shrinks, leading to competition for resources and isolation of tiger populations.
* Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Tigers are poached for their bones, fur, and other body parts used in traditional medicine and the black market. This illegal activity further reduces their numbers and can disrupt breeding patterns.
2. Human-Wildlife Conflict:
* Competition for Prey: As human populations expand into tiger habitats, they often deplete prey populations (such as wild boar and deer) that tigers depend on. This can lead to tigers venturing closer to human settlements and livestock, increasing the likelihood of conflict.
* Retaliatory Killing: When tigers prey on livestock or threaten humans, they are sometimes killed in retaliation. This can further reduce tiger numbers and undermine conservation efforts.