Tiger Population on the Rise in Nepal

Rhishja CotaAsia, Big Cats, India, Southern Asia, Tigers
Nepal's tiger population continues to rise. Photo by Karunakar Rayker via Wikimedia Commons
Tiger numbers are increasing in Nepal. Photo by Karunakar Rayker via Wikimedia Commons

Good news from Nepal: The number of its wild tigers has increased by 63 percent since 2009.

This is the second year in a row that Nepal has reported growth in its tiger population. A March 2012 study carried out by Nepal’s Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) also found an increasing number of tigers.

While many countries are experiencing an unprecedented assault on wildlife, Nepal’s government has demonstrated a real commitment to protecting the country’s natural treasures and has implemented strong anti-trafficking measures. Law enforcement is augmented by intelligence, and local communities are supportive of wildlife conservation.

“Tigers are a part of Nepal’s natural wealth and we are committed to ensuring these magnificent wild cats have the prey, protection and space to thrive,” explains Megh Bahadur Pandey, Director General of Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

According to WWF, Nepal confirmed that wild tigers were found in 12 of the 14 districts in the Terai Arc Landscape, with a total estimate of 198 tigers (range between 163 — 235).

  • Bardia National Park: 50 tigers (45 — 55) from 18 (17 — 29) in 2009
  • Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve: 17 tigers (13 — 21) from 8 (8 — 14) in 2009
  • Chitwan National Park: 120 tigers (98 — 139) from 91 (71 — 147) in 2009

While the news is very encouraging, Shubash Lohani, Deputy Director of WWF’s Eastern Himalayas program, cautions against complacency.

We cannot afford to forget that wildlife criminals are aggressively preying upon the last of the world’s wild tigers and if we allow complacency to creep in, all the conservation gains we applaud today could be gone tomorrow.

In January 2013, Nepal and India announced their decision to conduct the first joint tiger survey in the Terai Arc Landscape, a 600-mile region across the two countries. The full report is expected later in 2013.

Globally, there are only an estimated 3,200 wild tigers still surviving. 100 years ago, there were 100,000 wild tigers. Unfortunately, the illegal trade in tiger parts is thriving. Tiger parts — such as whiskers, claws, and penises — are in demand for Chinese folk remedies, while tiger bone wine is coveted by the wealthy in China, and increasingly in Vietnam.

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I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.