A Sundarbans tiger injured in a deer snare highlights thousands of illegal nylon traps. Experts urge stronger patrols, surveillance, community monitoring and livelihoods to curb poaching networks and protect prey.
The Royal Bengal Tiger, the Sundarbans’ most iconic predator and a global symbol of wildlife conservation, is under a hidden but growing threat: illegal deer-hunting traps scattered across the mangrove forest. Conservationists warn that without sustained, coordinated action, the tiger faces an uncertain future, caught not by bullets but by nylon snares silently laid beneath the canopy. Despite severe manpower shortages, the Forest Department maintains a zero-tolerance policy against poaching, conducting regular patrols to protect the forest’s endangered wildlife.
Across the Sundarbans, thousands of nylon traps set by poachers to catch deer are increasingly endangering tigers and other wildlife. Monkeys, wild boars and deer are frequently caught in these snares and many die before rescue teams can reach them.
The danger became starkly visible earlier this month when a Royal Bengal Tiger was found injured after being caught in an illegal deer snare in the Sharki Khal area of the Baudhmari forest under the Chandpai Range in Bagerhat. The incident has renewed serious concerns over wildlife safety, forest surveillance and the effectiveness of efforts to curb poaching.
Although the injured tiger was rescued, conservationists warn that the forest remains riddled with deadly traps.
“Tigers roam widely in search of food and when poachers place snares along deer movement routes, the risk to tigers becomes unavoidable,” wildlife experts said, stressing that rescue operations alone cannot eliminate the threat.
Tiger injury raises alarm
Howlader Azad Kabir, acting officer of the Karamjal Eco-Tourism Centre under the East Sundarbans Division, said the tiger sustained deep wounds on its front left leg after being caught in a snare.
“This injury was caused by an illegal device meant for deer hunting,” he said.
Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam, chairman of Save the Sundarbans Foundation, said poaching activities are particularly high in forest-adjacent areas including Charduani, Gyanpara, Joymoni, Baudhmari, Kochubania, Dhansagar, Koborkhali, Manikkhali, Kochikhali, Bogi and Charkhali.
“Most people involved in deer hunting and meat trading live in settlements near the forest,” he said. “This tiger survived only because the snare was detected in time. But the danger remains, as thousands of such devices are spread across the Sundarbans.”
Types of illegal hunting gear
Forest officials say poachers use four main types of hunting devices: mala snares, chitka snares, walking snares and neck snares. Mala snares are the most common and are made by stretching nylon rope between trees, with multiple loops hanging like a garland. Chitka snares are circular and placed individually, while walking and neck snares are set slightly above ground.
The tiger rescued on January 4 was caught in a chitka snare.
Between May and December last year, more than 61,000 feet of mala snares were recovered from the Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges alone, along with hundreds of other illegal devices. In the western Sundarbans, thousands more were seized over the past two years.
During the same period, authorities recovered 1,148 kilograms of deer meat from both forest divisions and filed dozens of cases against suspected poachers.
Experts warn of grim consequences
Professor M A Aziz of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Zoology, who has researched Sundarbans tigers for decades, warned that continued use of hunting snares could have devastating consequences.
“If deer snaring is not stopped, bad news awaits the tigers,” he said.
According to the Forest Department, deer-hunting devices have emerged as a major new danger to tigers. On January 4, an injured tiger was rescued from a snare. Similar incidents in the past ended tragically. One tiger lost a leg after being trapped in 2012, while another died in 2014 after breaking free from a snare.
Wildlife specialists say deer poaching threatens tigers in two ways. It reduces the availability of prey and increases the risk of serious injury or death from entanglement.
A 2024 Forest Department survey counted 125 tigers in the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans.
The government’s 10-year Tiger Action Plan (2018–2027) states that tiger populations depend heavily on prey availability. To hunt naturally, one tiger requires at least 500 deer within its territory. The spotted deer is the tiger’s primary prey in the Sundarbans, followed by wild boar and barking deer.
A growing concern
Professor Aziz said a tiger needs a deer weighing 50 to 60 kilograms every week to survive. “At the current rate of deer snaring, this is deeply worrying,” he said.
Forest officials from both the eastern and western divisions have stressed the need for additional manpower, more patrol vessels, enhanced surveillance and stronger community awareness to reduce risks to tigers.
“The devices set for deer are becoming deadly traps for tigers,” Professor Aziz warned. “The injured tiger was noticed only because forest-dependent people spotted it. Otherwise, we might never have known.”
Call for coordinated action
As illegal hunting gear continues to spread across the Sundarbans, conservationists and environmental activists warn that without sustained and coordinated action, the forest’s most powerful symbol faces an uncertain future, caught not by bullets but by silent nylon snares hidden beneath the mangrove canopy.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the continued spread of hunting snares reflects a deeper governance and justice failure.
“The Sundarbans cannot be protected through rescue operations alone,” he said. “This is a question of environmental justice. As long as illegal hunting networks operate with impunity and forest-dependent communities lack sustainable livelihood alternatives, wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, will remain at risk.”
He stressed the need for a long-term, inclusive approach. “We need coordinated enforcement, community-led monitoring, youth engagement and accountability across agencies. Protecting the tiger also means protecting the people and ecosystems that sustain the Sundarbans.”
Forest Department steps up action
Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the East Sundarbans, said the Forest Department maintains a zero-tolerance policy against poaching despite severe manpower shortages.
“We are carrying out regular patrols and operations to protect biodiversity,” he said. “Fishermen and honey collectors have been asked to hand over any illegal hunting gear they find. We are offering a reward of Tk 2,000 per kilogram of recovered snares.”
He added that two 10-member community committees will be formed in Charduani and Gyanpara to work closely with the Forest Department to prevent illegal hunting and forest-related crimes.
