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Karki, J.B.; Barber-Meyer, S.M.; Jhala, Y.D.; Pandav, B.; Jnawali, S.R.; Shrestha, R.; Thapa, K.; Thapa, G.; Pradhan, N.M.B.; Lamichane, B.R.; Dhakal, M.
Estimating the abundance of tigers and their prey in Sukaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal
2015  Biodiversity Conservation Efforts in Nepal (2072): 41-54

Information on the abundance of tigers and their prey are crucial for managing tiger landscapes. We estimated tiger abundance in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) Nepal using camera trap based Capture-Mark-Recapture and prey density and abundance using distance sampling in 2009. With effort of 1679 trap nights covering 113 camera trap stations we photo captured 7 individual adult tigers in Suklaphanta WR. The number and density (per 100 km2) of tigers were 7 (SE 1.41) and 2.1 (SE 0.80) in SWR. Distance sampling was used to assess the prey abundance between May-June 2009 on 463 systematically laid line transects. Density of all wild prey (individuals/km2) were 6.6 (SE 1.1) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR). The density (no/Km2) of chital was 79.0 in SWR followed by swamp deer 30, hog deer 21.6 and primate 14.8. With a total effort of 124 Km walk across 62 spatial replicate transects tiger prey abundance was estimated at 25,548. Study indicates decline in tiger in SWR even though the existing level of prey population appear to be adequate to support a higher tiger numbers. There is hope of meeting the ambitious goal of doubling the tiger population by 2022 set by Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) as indicated by 2014 estimates of 13 tigers for which tiger habitats outside PAs are further managed with local community based initiatives to ensure acceptance of low density tiger movement.

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