"Nepal has announced that it now has a population of tigers estimated at 235 individuals, nearly double the 121 individuals surveyed in 2009," enthused WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) in a statement. The goal for this country, as for 12 other representatives of the natural range of these animals, is to double the wild population by 2022. The South Asian country is on track and could thus become the first to respect the objective. "Our commitment to the Global Tiger Restoration Program is gaining momentum, with a growing number of tigers in Nepal and a successful implementation of the Nepal Tiger Safeguarding Plan." Protecting Tigers is a top priority of the government and we are grateful for the support of our partners, law enforcement agencies and the international community, committed to a common goal, "said Bishwo Nath Oli, the secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Forestry. Environment in Nepal.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Board Member of WWF US and Chairman of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation also welcomed the news: "The significant increase in the tiger population in Nepal is proof that when we work together, we can save wild life of our planet - and even endangered species ". "I am proud of the partnership between my Foundation and WWF to support Nepal and local communities to double the population of wild tigers" also tweeted the American star.
A still fragile species
Tigers (Panthera tigris) suffer from a variety of threats, including poaching, which is used to feed illegal trafficking in cat parts commonly used in traditional medicine. In addition, these animals lost 93% of their natural range in a few decades because of the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat by human activities (logging, agriculture or urbanization). This promiscuity between humans and tigers gives rise to conflicts. "Indeed, the tiger that does not have enough prey to feed - either because the man hunts the same prey, or because the habitat is so degraded that the prey are missing - must turn to the cattle the survival of many village communities, "WWF explains on its website. Often the animal is killed in retaliation. To reduce these conflicts, researchers have diverted a tool of criminology from its main utility so that it allows to know the areas where the risks of encounter between humans and tigers are the highest.
By Anne-Sophie Tassart the 26.09.2018 at 09:00