More tigers, more human-wildlife conflict
Summary
Nepal’s tiger population has risen to 429, but attacks on people in Chitwan and other tiger habitats are intensifying concern over human-wildlife conflict. Authorities are weighing options such as holding centres, zoos and a proposed tiger sanctuary in Chitwan to manage problematic tigers more safely.
Key Points
- A problematic tiger captured in Chitwan attacked 60-year-old Thakur Adhikari, while another tiger killed Mangale Bote during a morning walk earlier in August.
- Nepal’s Bengal tiger population has climbed to 429 from 355 in 2022, marking a major conservation success.
- Researchers say most tiger attacks happen in forests and buffer zones, especially around Chitwan National Park, with rising incidents in Banke-Bardiya and the Far West.
- Officials are considering cages, zoos and a proposed sanctuary in Devnagar to manage problem tigers and reduce human casualties.
