The dark side of tiger recovery

2008/12/09 Lakar Iraizoz, Oihane - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia
• Ekologia

In Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal they have managed to multiply the tigers. It was the result of an animal protection programme launched in 1996. However, the proliferation of tigers has been accompanied by an increase in tiger attacks on humans, which have multiplied by six.

Attacks on human beings have revealed the good from another point of view. Tigers proliferated when the lands surrounding the forests they once lived in became transition zones between the place of residence of the tigers and the inhabitants. Tigers began to exploit for two years. However, the inhabitants of the area partially exploited these lands and then the attacks occurred.

Managers are looking for ways to solve this problem, as locals have started hunting and poisoning. They think they have to work the problem from two lines. On the one hand, it is about informing the population about the behavior of tigers and the risks that access to the forests where tigers live in search of resources can pose. On the other hand, it has been thought to place necklaces that emit radio waves to the tigers, so that the inhabitants know at all times where they are and change away from their way.

Image courtesy of: Meg and Rahul