Poachers killing endangered tigers in record numbers in India

Poachers are killing tigers in record numbers in India, with 274 of the endangered animals killed in the past four years.

Just 82 of those deaths were due to natural causes, Time has reported, while others were due to poaching or undetermined causes.

In India's most recent tiger census, the nation counted 1706 of the animals within its borders.

However, while the figure of 274 represents a significant chunk of that population, it is possible that overall numbers will remain unaffected.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority says a healthy adult female tiger could give birth to a new litter every 90 days.

But it will not be known how the overall population has fared until India's next tiger census is released this month.