Poachers kill almost 60 tigers in India in 2009

A total of 59 tigers were killed by poachers in India in 2009, which is over twice the amount killed last year, India's environment ministry said on Monday.

A total of 59 tigers were killed by poachers in India in 2009, which is over twice the amount killed last year, India's environment ministry said on Monday.

Despite national conservation and protection programs, 28 tigers were killed in 2008, 30 in 2007 and 22 in 2006.

Several years ago, poachers killed all the tigers in India's Sariska and Panna national parks and the authorities had to repopulate the area with tigers from other parks.

The total number of tigers in India varies from 1,200 to 1,700.

NEW DELHI, December 14 (RIA Novosti)