The public announcement yesterday that there are now around 75 tigers (including cubs) here in Bardiya meant a good feeling around the place. Although the figure was hardly a secret it was still a significant announcement because the numbers are accurate, there is solid evidence which is positive when there is controversy and doubt about tiger census figures in other places.
Most importantly it emphasizes the healthy prey base here and that in itself means far less chance of tigers getting into conflict situations because of livestock depredation. The challenge, as the tiger numbers grow, is to conserve habitat and increase prey species diversity. Things are far from perfect, poaching is a major issue but the effort is going in to curb this ongoing threat with constant patrolling and technology use.
Yesterday while going through data with Umesh, one of the census researchers, we kept smiling at the amount of prey species the cameras were showing. It was in an area I am monitoring which two male leopards use as territory as well as a large male tiger. There are other transient big cats moving in those grids and I'm trying to get a better understanding of female leopard movement in the area as there seems to be a good balance of spotted cats with striped felines meaning leopard/tiger coexistence is working there. In other zones tigers have squeezed leopards out so once again, prey species density is a factor.
This is all vital data in the quest to understand the dynamics of "living with Leopards" which is a metaphor for coexisting with wildlife. Improving safety for all parties is the priority, that way coexistence is less stressful and ecosystems will flourish for the good of all.
