Nepal tiger numbers hit 429, a record increase
A national tiger census in Nepal recorded 429 wild tigers, up 21% from 355 in 2022 and more than three‑fold since 2010 when the count was 121. The increase was observed in four of the five protected areas that host tigers. Chitwan National Park now holds the largest population with 145 individuals, followed by Parsa (71), Banke (51) and Shuklaphanta (50). Bardiya National Park recorded a slight decline to 112 tigers, possibly reflecting movement of individuals to nearby Banke.
Conservation actions credited for the rise include extensive camera‑trap surveys covering over 7,300 km², the construction of around 30 artificial ponds, water‑pipeline installations, strengthened anti‑poaching patrols and habitat‑restoration work that boosted prey species. Officials note that the success meets and exceeds the Tiger Summit goal to double the national tiger population by 2022. However, the growing numbers have raised concerns about human‑tiger conflict; government data cite at least 38 human deaths from tiger attacks between 2019 and 2023, and park officials warn that increased encounters near settlements may require enhanced compensation and awareness measures.
Entities: Banke National Park · Bardiya National Park · Chitwan National Park · Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation · Haribhadra Acharya · IUCN · Nepal · Panthera tigris · Panthera tigris · Parsa National Park · Tiger Summit · WWF Nepal
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Banke National Park tiger count increased from 25 to 51.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Bardiya National Park tiger population declined to 112 individuals.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Nepal's tiger population reached 429 individuals in the latest census.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Chitwan National Park hosts the largest tiger population with 145 individuals.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Conservation measures included building about 30 artificial ponds, water pipelines and strengthening anti‑poaching patrols.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Parsa National Park tiger count rose from 41 to 71.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tiger numbers have more than tripled in Nepal since 2010, rising from 121 to 429.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The tiger population increased by 74 individuals from 355 in 2022.