As Nepal's tiger population grows, big cats are wandering out of the jungle and into villages more often, attacking livestock and people. The catch is that when these tigers are rescued, there is nowhere to put them, and current facilities are only meant for short-term holds.
The latest tiger census puts Nepal's total at 429, with 19 of them living in zoos or rescue centers. Chitwan National Park has the highest concentration with 145 tigers, up 17 from four years ago. Every year, tigers stray into villages and need to be pulled out.
Wildlife experts say that over the past six years, 31 tigers have been rescued from Chitwan, Parsa National Park, and surrounding areas. While not every tiger causes trouble, leaving them out there risks more attacks on people and livestock, which turns local villagers against conservation efforts.
Tigers usually venture close to villages when they are old or injured, making easy targets out of dogs and farm animals. In late June, a tiger killed livestock in a village near Chitwan National Park, and another attacked a resident in August. Park officials say these animals have to be caught, otherwise villagers will grow even more frustrated.
Catching a tiger is no small task. It takes vets, technicians, and people tracking them on elephants. Once found, the tigers are hit with tranquilizer darts, knocked out, and given health checkups. Some are too old or badly injured to go back into the wild. Even healthy tigers might attack humans in self-defense.
Right now, the rescue center in Chitwan is full, meaning newly caught tigers have to be shipped elsewhere. The rescue facilities were originally meant for emergencies, but some tigers have ended up stuck there for a long time. Some suggest building larger rescue centers instead of turning them into tourist attractions.
Nepal needs clear guidelines on when to rescue tigers and how to manage the animals long-term. Officials say they are currently drafting those standards, which should bring better management down the road.
