1. Traditional medicine: In some parts of Asia, tiger parts are used in traditional medicine, and white tigers are often considered more valuable than other tigers because of their rarity. This demand drives poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts.
2. Luxury goods: Tiger skins, claws, and teeth are sometimes used to make luxury goods such as handbags, coats, and jewelry. The high prices paid for these items create an incentive for poachers to kill white tigers.
3. Captive breeding: White tigers are often bred in captivity for entertainment purposes, including in circuses, zoos, and private parks. Some of these facilities may have inadequate care and breeding practices, leading to health problems and premature deaths of white tigers.
4. Habitat loss: White tigers are a subspecies of the Bengal tiger, which is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. However, their natural habitats are being threatened by deforestation, agriculture expansion, and other human activities. As their habitats shrink, white tigers may come into conflict with humans, leading to retaliatory killings.
5. Trophy hunting: In some cases, white tigers are hunted for sport or as trophies. This practice is particularly concerning because it involves the deliberate killing of these rare animals for personal pleasure rather than for survival or conservation purposes.
Efforts are being made to protect white tigers and other tiger subspecies through conservation initiatives, anti-poaching measures, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving their habitats. However, the demand for tiger parts and the limited number of white tigers in the wild continue to pose significant challenges to their survival.