Number of Tigers Holds Steady in Reserve Census
One of the world’s largest tiger census operations, in the Sunderbans reserve in eastern India, ended with officials saying the number of big cats has not fallen since the last count in 1999.
Two years ago, there were 254 tigers at the Sunderbans and 30 in adjoining areas.
“We have collected 700 pugmarks [footprints], including 25 of cubs, in the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve during the census,” Atanu Kumar Raha, West Bengal’s chief conservator of forests, told reporters.
The data required further analysis, Raha said but added that the number of tigers seemed to be the same as in 1999.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
