Question

What common factors have contributed to pushing the gharial and tiger population to the brink of extinction?

• A. They were hunted for use in traditional medicines
• B. They were hunted for their skins
• C. Loss of habitat
• D. Loss of prey species

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

Loss of habitat

By the end of the 19th century, there were about 50,000 to 100,000 tigers in India, but by 1971, the number had dropped to a mere 1,827! The main reason for this drop in tiger population was the trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in traditional medicine in Asian countries. The other reasons were the loss of habitat due to human activities and depletion of prey species.

Meanwhile, the population of the gharials has declined as much as 98% since the 1940s. This decline is mainly due to hunting for use in traditional medicine, hunting for skins, and drastic changes to freshwater habitats.