As one of the thirteen range states, Nepal pledged to double its tiger population by 2022, the current year of the Tiger on the Chinese calendar. Nepal not only doubled the population, but tripled it! There are now officially 355 wild tigers living in Nepal, up from 121 in 2010. Nepal is on the only range state to come close to exceeding its 2010 pledge.
The population increase may put the country close to the maximum number of big cats (Panthera tigris) it can support in protected habitat. That estimated number is around 400, Their success was made possible by unwavering support from conservation organizations and the Nepalese government. Local communities, that live along side the carnivore, also supported the idea of re-establishing the animal in the wild. A key component to continuing the success is teaching local people best practices when living close to Nature. In the last fiscal year, three people have been killed every month on average in encounters with tigers. Tigers will eat humans, if they are hungry enough, but usually prefer wild prey. Carrying capacity is not a fixed number say conservationists, and capacity can be improved by better management practices and more habitat protection. GREEN KUDOS go to Nepal! [photo: at home in Chitwan NP]