Species in Nepal - Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Malupothi is one of the tigers whose whereabouts have been monitored by "camera traps". These are cameras that have been set to automatically take a picture when a large animal moves by. Camera trapping is part of the scientific research on tiger behaviour and ecology that forms the basis for planning for their conservation. Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal.
© WWF Nepal Program

Survival threatened by demand for poached products

Unique "bar code" provided by nature
The tiger is the largest species of all cats. An adult tiger can measure nearly 3 metres from the nose to the tip of the tail, and can weigh more than 250 kg. Tigers can be differentiated easily since the pattern of stripes is unique to each individual.

Adult tigers are mainly solitary. However, sometimes 2 tigers with neighbouring territories may have a friendly interaction with each other. Tiger cubs follow their mother until the age of two. Even though the willingness to catch a moving prey is instinctive in tigers, a long learning process is needed to acquire the skills necessary to catch a wary and fast prey animal.

The world has already lost 3 of 8 tiger subspecies
Tigers are facing a serious danger of becoming extinct in the wild. During the last 100 years, their numbers have collapsed by 95% - from 100,000 tigers in the world in the year 1900 to the about 6,000 tigers that exist in the wild today.

All body parts in high demand
A major threat for the survival of tigers is poaching. The demand for tiger parts in the black market is estimated to be so high that all the tigers in the world put together would not be able to meet it.

Fast and effective action is needed to protect the remaining tiger population. Another problem at hand are the increasing instances of conflicts with people resulting in casualties on both sides.