First round tiger count in Parsa wildlife reserve shows increasing number

Birgunj / Dec 20: The number of tigers in Parsa Wildlife Reserve is found to be increasing. The Parsa Wildlife Protection Office has concluded the first round of tiger count which put the population of big cats at 16. This number is six more than that of final revelation of the tiger census conducted in 2014-15.

The reserve area that is stretched to an area of 637.37 sq km has been divided into 166 units to conduct the tiger census. Camera trapping method was applied in the tiger census which will be done in three rounds, according to the National Trust for Nature Conservation Amlekhgunj Office.

The census is supported by the Zoological Society of London, Nepal Office and the NTNC, Conservation Officer for NTNC Sashank Poudel said.

The previous counts in 2013 and 1014-15 put the numbers of tigers at seven and 10 respectively. The reserve covers up forest areas in Parsa, Bara and Makwanpur districts. RSS