National
Tiger census starts in Bardiya
Wildlife experts have started a tiger census in Bardiya National Park (BNP) after smugglers were arrested in possession of tiger parts including 14 hides within a year.Wildlife experts have started a tiger census in Bardiya National Park (BNP) after smugglers were arrested in possession of tiger parts including 14 hides within a year.
Though the BNP counts the number of tigers every four years, a fresh census is being conducted to determine the exact number of tigers in the park.
Last year, the number of tigers in the park figured at 81, including 25 cubs.
According to the BNP, the number of big cats in the park was estimated somewhere between 35 and 50 when the census was carried out in 2013. Chief Conservation Officer Ramesh Kumar Thapa said 100 sets of camera traps have been installed for the census. “Technicians have already set up cameras in the park to capture tigers,” he said. The Regional Forest Directorate said that the tiger census will be conducted for 72 days. The BNP covers 898 sq km in Banke, Dang, Salyan and Bardiya districts.
Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR) is also planning to conduct a tiger census from Monday. Conservation Officer Shashanka Paudel said that the census will be carried out for two months. Paudel said that cameras traps have been set up in the forests for the process. The PWR had 19 tigers last year.