1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
* Deforestation: The destruction of their natural habitat, primarily forests, reduces the available space for white tigers to roam, hunt, and breed.
* Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: As human populations grow, they encroach upon tiger territories, fragmenting habitats and isolating populations.
2. Poaching and Illegal Trade:
* Demand for Body Parts: Tigers are illegally hunted for their body parts, such as bones, skin, and teeth, which are used in traditional medicine and as luxury items in some cultures.
* Trade in Cubs: White tigers, due to their rarity, are often illegally captured and traded as pets, leading to the removal of individuals from the wild and hindering population recovery.
3. Human-Wildlife Conflict:
* Competition for Resources: As human populations expand, they encroach on tiger habitats, increasing the potential for conflict over resources, leading to retaliation killings of tigers.
* Livestock Predation: Tigers may prey on livestock, leading to retaliatory killings by farmers.
4. Genetic Factors:
* Inbreeding: White tigers are a result of a recessive gene mutation, leading to limited genetic diversity within their population. This makes them more vulnerable to diseases and genetic disorders.
* Limited Breeding Success: White tigers often have lower breeding success than their orange counterparts, further contributing to their vulnerability.
5. Lack of Conservation Efforts:
* Limited Resources: Conservation efforts for white tigers are often limited due to the focus on protecting the overall tiger population.
* Lack of Public Awareness: The rarity and unique appearance of white tigers can sometimes lead to romanticization and neglect of the critical conservation challenges they face.
It's crucial to understand that white tigers are not a distinct species but rather a color variation of the Bengal tiger. While the white tiger's unique appearance has contributed to its conservation efforts, the underlying threats remain the same as those faced by all tiger subspecies.