Nepal tiger population triples in 12 years, fueling human-wildlife conflict

KARACHI, Pakistan

A growing population of Bengal tigers in Nepal has intensified human-wildlife conflict and created new challenges in caring for rescued big cats, mainly due to a shortage of proper facilities.

Nepal’s 2021 tiger census showed the number of tigers reached 355, nearly triple the total number from 12 years ago, the Kathmandu Post reported Wednesday.

Royal Bengal tigers inhabit several national parks and forests across the Tarai region.

Wildlife experts say the population growth is a positive sign for conservation, but the rising numbers have already strained limited resources, especially funding and the lack of functioning rescue centers.

In one recent incident, villagers in the Kanchanpur district of the Sudurpashchim province found a full-grown tiger in a wheat field. After a 24-hour effort, authorities captured the animal but were forced to release it back into the wild the next day because no proper shelter was available.

"We kept the tiger at our office for two days but couldn’t find space in any rescue centers or the zoo. Following discussions with stakeholders, the tiger was released in the core area of the national park,” said Ram Bichari Thakur, the chief of the Division Forest Office in Kanchanpur.

“We continue to face difficulties in managing rescued wildlife due to the lack of a rescue center,” said Purushottam Wagle, a conservation officer at the Shuklaphanta National Park.

“Rescuing problem in wildlife is just part of the challenge -- finding a long-term solution for their care and management is even more difficult,” he added.

Conservationists say the tigers currently held in cages at various parks are aggressive and cannot be returned to the wild. If released, they warn, the animals are likely to return to human settlements and pose serious risks.

KARACHI, Pakistan

A growing population of Bengal tigers in Nepal has intensified human-wildlife conflict and created new challenges in caring for rescued big cats, mainly due to a shortage of proper facilities.

Nepal’s 2021 tiger census showed the number of tigers reached 355, nearly triple the total number from 12 years ago, the Kathmandu Post reported Wednesday.

Royal Bengal tigers inhabit several national parks and forests across the Tarai region.

“We continue to face difficulties in managing rescued wildlife due to the lack of a rescue center,” said Purushottam Wagle, a conservation officer at the Shuklaphanta National Park.

“Rescuing problem in wildlife is just part of the challenge -- finding a long-term solution for their care and management is even more difficult,” he added.