The Smithsonian’s Royal Bengal Tiger: A History of Man-Eating and Conservation
The Tiger on Display
At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, a majestic Royal Bengal tiger leaps through the air, its “fearful symmetry” frozen in mid-pounce. This 11-foot-long beast was once a notorious man-eater until it was killed by big-game hunter David Hasinger in 1967.
Man-Eating Tigers: A Complex Issue
Famed hunter Jim Corbett believed that tigers only resort to man-eating when stressed by circumstances beyond their control. The Smithsonian’s tiger may or may not have fit this profile, as its exact history is unknown. However, it is certain that this 857-pound predator was not hungry when Hasinger dispatched it.
The Champawat Man-Eater
Corbett’s experiences hunting man-eaters in India provide insights into the complexities of this behavior. One such tiger, known as the Champawat man-eater, had killed 436 people before Corbett tracked and shot her. Her broken teeth, Corbett claimed, had prevented her from catching her natural prey and driven her to become a man-eater.
The Smithsonian’s Changing Display
After Hasinger donated the man-eating tiger to the Smithsonian in 1969, it was initially displayed with an axis deer fleeing before it. However, concerns about the portrayal of tiger aggression led to the removal of the deer in 1976.
The Decline of Tigers Worldwide
By the early 1970s, tiger populations were already in decline. Overhunting, habitat loss, and poaching for pelts and tiger parts have all contributed to this alarming trend. Today, there are only an estimated 5,000 tigers left in the wild, down from 100,000 at the turn of the century.
Human-Tiger Conflict: A Historic Perspective
Historically, humans and tigers have competed for food and resources. While tigers do not inherently view humans as prey, they may regard them as competitors. In some regions, tigers have become regular predators of humans, such as in the Sunderbans mangrove swamp on the India-Bangladesh border.
The Importance of Conservation
Protecting tiger habitat is crucial for their survival. Despite conservation efforts like Operation Tiger, tigers continue to face numerous threats. The Save the Tiger Fund, launched by Exxon Corporation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, aims to address these challenges.
The Future of Tigers
Although the prospects of sighting wild tigers are diminishing, their stories live on in our minds. The Smithsonian’s tiger display, now reunited with the axis deer, serves as a reminder of the need for conservation. By understanding the complex relationship between humans and tigers, we can work towards a future where both species can coexist peacefully.