TIBET: Chinese scientists have confirmed the presence of the Bengal tiger in Medog, Tibet , with the first recorded images of the Tiger captured by camera traps.

The scientists plan to investigate further to learn how many of the endangered animals are roaming the area.

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in a handful of Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and China. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that there are now 2,154 to 3,159 Bengal tigers in the wild.

Scientists from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently received three photos of Bengal tigers from two of 48 infrared camera traps set up in Medog late last year. It was the first time that Chinese researchers had received images of living Bengal tigers, though there had been signs hinting of the presence of the animals in the area for an extended period of time, according to a media release from the institute.

(Agencies)