A head for heights

TIGER POPULATION 'PEAKS' IN BHUTAN

It's good news for Bhutan's wild tiger population! The findings of the National Tiger Survey report, undertaken during 2021- 2022 and launched today, 29th July 2023, to mark Global Tiger Day, show an increase in Bhutan's wild tiger population by 27% from 103 - 131 individuals since the first survey was conducted in 2015.

As the world's largest cat, tigers are apex predators and play a significant role in the structure and function of the ecosystem on which both humans and other wildlife rely. Bhutan's figures may seem small to some, but will make a huge difference, especially as they join other nations such as India and Nepal who have also increased their tiger populations in the last decade.

The latest tiger assessment in Bhutan covered 85% of the country (32,800 km2) and they were photographed at over 15% of the 1,201 camera trap locations. Whilst Bhutan already holds the record for tiger sightings at the highest elevations, (over 4,400m), this survey confirms that tigers are breeding at a variety of altitudes!

Speaking of the findings, Chimi Rinzin, Country Director, WWF-Bhutan, said: "This is a significant achievement and an indication of a very healthy ecosystem. It also underlines Bhutan's commitment to biodiversity conservation."

As well as determining the tiger population, the survey (led by the Department of Forests and Park Services with support from various Bhutan conservation organisations, as well as UNEP, UNDP and WWF) identifies major threats to the big cats - poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict - and prioritises actions to mitigate them. Over the past ten years measures have included increased law enforcement, community-based tiger conservation initiatives, habitat improvement and human-wildlife conflict interventions.

Stuart Chapman, Tigers Alive Initiative Leader, WWF, said: "This is an extraordinary conservation achievement for Bhutan which now joins a small number of countries that have increased their tiger population over the last decade. As tiger numbers increase, challenges can intensify, yet Bhutan is perfectly positioned to be a global champion for approaches that support coexistence between tigers and people."

As a champion for tiger conservation, The Royal Government of Bhutan, with support from Her Majesty Queen from Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, will host a Conference on Sustainable Financing for Tiger Landscapes in 2024.

TIGER'S NEST

Footnote: The collection of buildings, pictured above (left) is one of Bhutan's most sacred and recognized spots. Precariously perched on a cliff 900 metres off the ground this working Buddhist monastery was constructed in 1692, around the cave where Guru Rinpoche was said to have been put, after being carried from Tibet on the back of a tigress - thus giving it the name 'Tiger's Nest Monastery.'