Ranging, Activity and Habitat Use by Tigers in the Mangrove Forests of the Sundarban

A tiger population of approximately 76 individuals, with a density of 4.6 tigers per 100 km², was estimated in the Indian Sundarbans using GPS and VHF radio-collars on six tigers (three males and three females). The study revealed that tigers exhibit strong habitat preference for Avicennia-Sonneratia over Phoenix, Ceriops, and barren areas, while avoiding crossing wide water channels (>400 meters), which serve as natural territory boundaries. Tiger activity peaks between 05:00 and 10:00 hours, overlapping with human activity in high-risk zones like Avicennia-Sonneratia and Phoenix habitats along wide channels. The research highlights the vulnerability of tiger movement due to increasing boat traffic and climate-induced sea-level rise, posing a significant threat to population connectivity.

Naha, D., Jhala, Y. V., Qureshi, Q., Roy, M., Sankar, K., & Gopal, R. (2016). Ranging, Activity and Habitat Use by Tigers in the Mangrove Forests of the Sundarban. Plos One, 11(4), e0152119. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152119