Why did wild sightings of white tigers decline significantly by the mid-20th century?
Answer
Habitat loss and excessive hunting
Historical documentation places the wild sightings of white tigers primarily in the central and eastern regions of India. However, by the middle of the twentieth century, sightings became almost non-existent. This disappearance is attributed to the severe pressures faced by the tiger population generally, including extensive habitat loss due to human expansion and encroachment, coupled with excessive hunting practices targeting these magnificent animals. This led to the phenotype essentially disappearing from the wild environment.
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