A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE BENGAL TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS TIGRIS) IN NAMCHA BARWA,SOUTHEASTERN TIBET This project is funded by the John D.and T.Catherine Macarthur Foundation,U S A

Between May and June,September and October 1994,June and December 1995,we conducted a study on Bengal tigers in Namcha Barwa and adjacent areas,southeastern Tibet.We determined the range of tigers and collected basic ecological information on this large predator.By tracking and independently investigating livestock predation around villages in Jinzhu Zangbu Valley,we confirmed the losses of 302 large livestock due to tiger predation between October 1993 and July 1995.A conservative estimate of the total live weight lost was 59 881 kg,which averaged 2 722 kg per month,an equivalent to the monthly intake of 11 free ranging tigers.Tiger predation affected all 12 villages and 62% households living in Jinzhu Zangbu Valley,with family loss rate of livestock ranging between 7 7% and 100%.Field observations suggest that,in addition to uncontrolled hunting,losses of lowland forest to agriculture and pasture have resulted in dwindling of the food base for tigers in the region.