Nepal's tiger population hits record 429, but deadly conflict with humans grows
Endangered Bengal tiger numbers rise 21 percent in latest census as officials warn coexistence remains a growing challenge
PC: Chungba Sherpa
Nepal's endangered Bengal tiger population has risen to a record 429, the government announced Wednesday, marking another conservation milestone for the country even as a rise in deadly encounters between humans and big cats threatens to undermine public support for wildlife protection.
The latest National Tiger and Prey Base Survey estimated 429 wild Bengal tigers across Nepal's five protected lowland landscapes, up from 355 recorded in the previous census in 2022 -- an increase of 74 animals, or about 21 percent.
The census results, released on Global Tiger Day by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, cement Nepal's status as one of the world's leading tiger conservation success stories after the country became the first tiger-range nation to almost triple its wild tiger population from 2009 levels, years ahead of the global TX2 target.
Chitwan National Park remained Nepal's most important tiger stronghold with 145 animals, up from 128 in the previous survey. Bardiya National Park had the second-largest population with 112 tigers, despite being the only protected area to record a decline, down from 125.
Parsa National Park recorded the sharpest increase, with tiger numbers rising to 71 from 41, while Banke National Park doubled its population to 51 from 25. Shuklaphanta National Park also saw an increase to 50 tigers from 36.
The nationwide survey was conducted between late December and April using thousands of camera traps across more than 7,300 square kilometres of tiger habitat. Researchers identified 363 individual tigers through stripe-pattern analysis before estimating the total population using internationally recognised statistical methods.
Officials attributed the recovery to decades of habitat protection, anti-poaching patrols, prey management and efforts to maintain wildlife corridors linking protected areas.
"Nepal's tiger population has continued to recover," conservation group WWF Nepal said in a statement, describing the increase as "another important milestone" while stressing that future conservation would depend on ensuring people and wildlife can coexist.
The success, however, has brought new challenges for communities living along the edges of protected forests.
At least 10 people have been killed in attacks by tigers over the past year, according to locals and conservation officials, with seven of the deaths reported in Bardiya district alone.
Forest officials say increasing tiger numbers have also displaced leopards from core habitats into buffer zones and villages, where they more frequently prey on livestock and occasionally attack people.
Nepal provides compensation of one million rupees to families of people killed in wildlife attacks and covers medical expenses for those injured.
Local residents and conservationists say preventing conflict will be critical to sustaining public support for the country's internationally acclaimed tiger recovery.
