First stop human depredation to double the number of Bengal tigers

A critical threat to Nepal's tiger conservation efforts is the increasing human-tiger conflict, which could hinder the country's goal of doubling its Bengal tiger population by 2022. Despite a successful zero-poaching strategy for rhinos, similar measures have failed to reduce tiger attacks on humans. Between 2009 and 2015, tigers killed 29 people in Nepal, while only two tigers were killed by humans. This imbalance highlights the need for a 'zero-human-casualty' strategy to protect both tigers and local communities. The study suggests mitigating conflicts through habitat restoration, spatial zoning of grazing areas, alternative livelihoods, and tiger translocation as a last resort. Effective conservation requires political commitment, legal enforcement, and collaborative efforts between governments and conservation partners.

Panthi, S., Poudel, S., & Mishra, B. (2018). First stop human depredation to double the number of Bengal tigers. Animal Conservation, 22(1), 1–2. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12451