The Indian or Bengal tiger is the most numerous but there are probably no more than 3,000. Siberian tigers, like those at Marwell number between just 250-400 individuals in the wild. The combined wild population of all races of tiger is estimated at only 4,400-7,700 animals. Tigers can inhabit a wide range of habitats, including tropical rain forest, evergreen forest, mangrove swamps, grassland, savannah and cold, mountainous country. Preys species include antelope, deer, and wild boar, but larger prey such as buffalo may also be taken.
Tigers usually have one or two favourite dens in caves, hollow trees or dense vegetation.
For thousands of years man lived in harmony with the tiger, which was interwoven into the cultures and religions of the peoples with whom it shared its forest. The tiger was seen as the Guardian of the forest, a god-like creature who was worshipped and respected. Although tigers have always been hunted, sometimes for medicinal purposes, the population was never threatened with extinction until recently. With the advent of western values and weapons, much of the culture of the local people was destroyed, and with it the protection of the tiger was lost. Today, tigers have two main threats - poaching and habitat destruction.