Investigating patterns of tiger and prey poaching in the Bangladesh Sundarbans: Implications for improved management

Recent research in the Bangladesh Sundarbans reveals alarming poaching patterns threatening tiger survival, with an estimated 6268 snare loops and six instances of Carbofuran-laced baits used to poison tigers. Poachers strategically target areas away from guard posts but near riverbanks, avoiding protected zones. This high intensity—147 snares per 100 km²—likely contributed to a decline in tiger abundance. The study recommends stricter regulation of Carbofuran and the use of remote camera traps to identify poachers. A simple yet effective method for assessing poaching threats, this approach could be replicated globally to guide conservation efforts.

Aziz, M. A., Tollington, S., Barlow, A., Goodrich, J., Shamsuddoha, M., Islam, M. A., & Groombridge, J. J. (2017). Investigating patterns of tiger and prey poaching in the Bangladesh Sundarbans: Implications for improved management. Global Ecology and Conservation, 9, 70–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.12.001