Posted 28 Jul 2009

The tiger population of Nepal is greater than previously believed, meaning that those taking a gap year in the country may be in with a chance of spotting one in the future.

According to a survey undertaken by the department of national parks and wildlife conservation, there are currently 121 breeding tigers in the wild in Nepal.

The research, which is the first to have documented a wide range of areas simultaneously, was supported by a variety of foundations, including the Save The Tiger Fund and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

"In spite of the decade-long insurgency, encroachment, poaching and illegal trade, the present numbers is a positive sign, but we can’t remain unworried," explained Anil Manandhar, country representative for the WWF in Nepal. "Numbers have increased in Chitwan but decreased in Bardia and Shuklaphanta".

Last November, a similar survey conducted by conservationists in Nepal concluded that there had been a 50 per cent decrease in tiger numbers compared to 2005.

Category: Asia