Nepal is solidifying its role as one of the leading countries in wildlife conservation. According to the new 2026 National Tiger and Prey Census, presented by the Ministry of Forests and Environment on World Tiger Day, there are now 429 wild tigers living in the country. That is 74 more than in the 2022 census, when there were 355, and nearly four times the 121 tigers recorded in 2010.
The finding, released by the Nepalese government and reported by the Himalayan Times, represents one of the most significant increases recorded internationally in recent years and confirms the effectiveness of the conservation strategies implemented to combat poaching and habitat loss.
Where Do Tigers Live?
The population is concentrated primarily in the country’s main protected areas. Chitwan National Park is home to the largest number of tigers, with 145, followed by Bardiya (112), Parsa (71), Banke (51), and Shuklaphanta (50). Compared to 2022, all parks have seen an increase, with the exception of Bardiya, where the population has dropped from 125 to 112 individuals.
The census was conducted between December 2025 and July 2026 by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, with support from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), WWF Nepal, and the Zoological Society of London. Approximately 1,100 camera traps were installed for monitoring purposes, and more than 250 field staff conducted systematic surveys in the main areas where the species is found.
A Model for Conservation
The growth of the tiger population is the result of years of coordinated efforts among institutions, local communities, and organizations dedicated to biodiversity conservation.
The representative of WWF Nepal, Ghana Shyam Gurung, described the milestone as a “collective achievement in conservation,” explaining, as reported by the Himalayan Times, that the success was made possible by the government’s leadership, community-based forest management, and collaboration among the various partners involved.
The WWF, in a statement released by ANSA, also refers to this as“one of the most significant successes in the recovery of a globally endangered species.” The organization also highlights the work carried out in the Terai region, where more than 5,000 families have been supported with protective fencing, safer shelters for livestock, early-warning systems, and economic support measures to mitigate the impacts of the tigers’ presence.
The new challenge is living together
According to environmentalists, Nepal’s forests have an estimated carrying capacity of about 400 tigers, a figure that has now been exceeded by the number of tigers recorded in the census.
This means that the risk of conflict between humans and big cats increases, especially in areas where forests border human settlements. Currently, 16 “problem tigers”—those involved in attacks on people, or that have been injured or captured near villages—are being housed in dedicated facilities in Chitwan, Bardiya, Banke, and at the Jawalakhel Central Zoo.
To address this situation, the government has announced the creation of a 52-hectare sanctuary in Devnagar, in the Chitwan district, intended for the rehabilitation of animals involved in conflicts and the development of ecotourism activities.
A species still at risk
Despite these achievements, the tiger continues to be classified as an endangered species. Globally, the population has risen from approximately 3,200 individuals in 2010 to 5,357 in 2025. India remains the country with the largest number of wild tigers—over 3,100—followed by Russia; according to the new data, Nepal has now surpassed Indonesia.
For the WWF, the next goal will be to strengthen the involvement of local communities, expand monitoring in the area, and improve early warning and rapid response systems. “Now we must step up our efforts to maintain this momentum, working with local communities and ensuring a future in which people and tigers can coexist safely,” said Stuart Chapman, head of the WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative, as quoted by ANSA.
