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Nepal Set to Become First Country That Doubles Its Wild Tiger Population
By Good News Network - Jan 18, 2019

Tiger populations are rebounding around the world, but conservationists are rejoicing over the big cat’s speedy recovery in Nepal.
In honor of National Conservation Day back in September, Nepal announced that there are now an estimated 235 wild tigers in the country, which nearly doubles the record-low baseline of around 121 tigers in 2009.
If these trends continue, Nepal could become the first of 14 countries to double its national tiger population since international agencies gathered together in 2010 and set the ambitious TX2 goal to double the world’s wild tiger population by 2022.

“Our commitment to the Global Tiger Recovery Program gains new ground with Nepal’s growing tiger numbers and a successful implementation of Nepal’s Tiger Conservation Action Plan,” stated Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment. “Protecting tigers is a top priority of the government, and we are thankful for the able support of our partners, enforcement agencies, local communities and the international community for a common purpose.”
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Nepal conducted its national tiger survey between November 2017 and April 2018 in the transboundary Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), a vast area of diverse ecosystems shared with India. Camera traps and occupancy surveys were used to estimate tiger occupancy and abundance, while line transect surveys were used to derive prey density. The last tiger survey in 2013 had estimated the tiger population at 198.
“This significant increase in Nepal’s tiger population is proof that when we work together, we can save the planet’s wildlife – even species facing extinction,” said Leonardo DiCaprio, WWF-US board member and chairman of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which has funded tiger conservation in Nepal’s Bardia National Park and elsewhere since 2010. “Nepal has been a leader in efforts to double tigers within its own borders and serves as a model for conservation for all of Asia and the world. I am proud of my foundation’s partnership with WWF to support Nepal and local communities in doubling the population of wild tigers.”

The success in Nepal has been largely attributed to the country’s political commitment and the adoption of innovative tools and approaches towards tiger conservation. Nepal was the first country to achieve global standards in managing tiger conservation areas, an accreditation scheme governed by the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS). With four more years to go, the TX2 goal of doubling tiger numbers globally can only be achieved if all the tiger range countries step up and commit to a similar level of excellence.
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Additionally, in May 2018, Nepal celebrated a new benchmark with the achievement of 365 days of zero poaching of rhinos on five occasions between 2011 and 2018.
“Every tiger counts, for Nepal and for the world,” stated Dr. Ghana S Gurung, Country Representative, WWF-Nepal. “While Nepal is but a few tigers away from our goal to double tiger numbers by 2022, it also underscores the continued need to ensure protection, and improved and contiguous habitats for the long-term survival of the species.”

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nepal-se...M-A72ESv6E

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Supermom: With 4 newborns, MP tigress sets record of delivering 30 cubs
P Naveen | TNN | Updated: Jan 29, 2019, 08:34 IST
The tigress with cubs.

*This image is copyright of its original author

BHOPAL: Supermom ‘Collarwali’ – the incredibly fertile tigress at Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve – has delivered four more cubs. This is her 8th litter and she has so far mothered an amazing 30 cubs — a record for any tigress in Madhya Pradesh. Nicknamed by visitors because of her radio collar, the latest litter is again a boost to the tiger introduction programme in the state that has lost 28 tigers in the last few months.

*This image is copyright of its original author

“The tigress was spotted with her new cubs by tourists recently. They are all very small but in good health,” said a forest officer confirming that that this was Collarwali’s eighth litter.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Referred to as ‘Queen of Pench’ and ‘Pench princess’, Collarwali was one of the four cubs of famous tigress ‘Barimada’, who was featured in the famous documentary titled ‘Spy in the Jungle’ by BBC network. She was also the first of Barimada’s cubs to establish her territory in the core area of her mother’s range, experts said.

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The tigress littered three cubs for the first time in May 2008. But, as an inexperienced mother, she could not protect them from the harsh climate. All three cubs died of pneumonia within 24 days, recalls a forest officer.

In October 2008, she produced her second litter – four cubs including three males. All survived. Experts claim she has used 13 different sites to rear her three litters and most of the times it was caves.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Between 2008 and 2013, Collarwali gave birth to 18 cubs, of which 14 survived. In 2015, the tigress gave birth to four more cubs in its sixth litter.

Pench is now home to more than 60 adult tigers. A male tiger translocated from Pench reserve had also led to successful reintroduction project of tiger in Panna tiger reserve. Devoid of its tiger population that fell to poaching and other reasons, Panna is a model in tiger reintroduction, with a population of more than 25 big cats.

*This image is copyright of its original author

“This is the 8th time she has given progeny which is the only known record. She was born in 2004-05 and in span of 15 years is still very healthy given 3-4 cubs. If we count her contribution along with progeny by her cub’s total number it may reach more than 50 tigers. Tiger is prolific breeder and future of tiger is bright if we manage our habitat with like I did while establishing the Pench tiger reserve during 2001-2004 as field director Pench tiger reserve. All praise to our staff from old to present in keeping habitat management in proper lines,” said Dr R G Soni.

In Video: Madhya Pradesh tigress 'Collarwali' sets a record of delivering 30 cubs 

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