The main attraction of the Sundarbans is undoubtedly the Bengal tiger, also referred to as 'mama' or 'maternal uncle' by locals. Visitors are drawn to the Sundarbans with the hope of catching a glimpse of this majestic and elusive predator. Renowned as the national animal of Bangladesh, the Royal Bengal tiger is one of five subspecies of tigers found in the wild. Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) can be found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Western Myanmar, and Nepal and are classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.

The Sundarbans is celebrated for being the last bastion of the Royal Bengal Tiger. With its distinctive orange coat and bold black stripes, this apex predator holds an almost mythical status. Known for its powerful build, the Bengal tiger has uniquely adapted to the Sundarbans' aquatic environment, often swimming between islands in search of prey. This adaptation allows them to traverse the numerous waterways and tidal creeks that crisscross the mangrove forest, aiding in hunting and avoiding territorial conflicts with other tigers. The sight of a tiger swimming between islands is a testament to the unique and resilient nature of this apex predator.

The Bengal tigers of the Sundarbans play a vital role in balancing the mangrove ecosystem, which serves as one of Earth's most significant carbon sinks. As apex predators, they maintain equilibrium among mammal species populations, which translates to balance among plant species populations, allowing mangrove trees to remain the dominant vegetation in the delta. Maintaining this balance is fundamental to preserving the integrity of the entire ecosystem.

While spotting a Bengal tiger is challenging due to its solitary behavior and the Sundarbans' dense tree cover, a chance to stumble on the remarkable footprints (called "pugmarks" in Bengali) of the big cat is a thrilling experience. Try your luck while on a boat safari and keep your eyes peeled for a flash of their rich orange coat amidst the green foliage.

Bengal Tiger Conservation 

A century ago, there were as many as 100,000 tigers in the wild; however, a drastic decline in global tiger populations has significantly reduced this number over the past decades. Fortunately, the latest data shows an increase in tiger populations by upwards of 40% since 2015, totaling approximately 4,500 wild tigers which occupy less than 10% of their historical range. While this species once roamed all over Bangladesh, wild tigers are now only found in the Sundarbans. Current studies estimate a population of 114 individuals, which may not seem significant, but it is one of the largest tiger populations in the world. 

The Bengal tigers of the Sundarbans play a vital role in balancing the mangrove ecosystem, which serves as one of Earth's most significant carbon sinks. As apex predators, they bring equilibrium to mammal species populations, which translates to balance among plant species populations and allows the mangrove trees to remain the dominant vegetation in the delta. Maintaining this balance is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the entire ecosystem. Many livelihoods are also directly tied to the well-being of the Sundarbans, further illustrating the importance of a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Some of the threats encroaching on the Bengal tiger populations of the Sundarbans include illegal poaching, habitat degradation, prey depletion, climate change, retaliatory killing, and unsustainable forest resource collection, to name a few. Various ongoing conservation efforts strive to provide hope for the Bengal tiger's long-term survivability in the Sundarbans through research and collaboration efforts. 

Bangladesh Forest Department has partnered with an NGO called WildTeam to support the local tiger population. Together, they conduct research on the Sundarban tiger population, their prey, habitat, and wildlife crime. The two organizations in tandem helped to create the Village Tiger Response Team (VTRT) which helps manage human-tiger interactions in the villages and ensure the safety of local people and safe return of tigers into the forest. Human-wildlife conflicts are mitigated through community engagement, ecotourism, community awareness building, and sustainable livelihood programs. 

There has been significant effort put into increasing awareness among local people and supporting the tiger’s ecosystems, which has the dual effect of ensuring the tiger population’s longevity and supporting the mangrove forests in the Sundarbans. For example, June 29th is celebrated as Global Tiger Day, which aims to create mass awareness and reinforce support for tigers and their ecological and economic role. Additionally, the Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (2018-2027) provides guidelines for formulating and strengthening tiger conservation efforts in the Sundarbans.