Protecting tigers: a path forward amid human-tiger conflict
Chester Zoo is playing a key role in addressing the challenges posed by the increasing number of wild tigers in India and Nepal, with a focus on balancing tiger recovery and human-tiger conflict.
Tiger populations have shown signs of recovery, with estimates indicating a significant increase in numbers over the last decade. However, experts warn that this success comes with a rise in human-tiger conflicts, threatening the long-term sustainability of these populations. Conservationists at Chester Zoo, including Mayukh Chatterjee, are leading efforts to ensure that both tigers and local communities can coexist safely.
While tiger numbers are encouraging, the reality is that increased numbers lead to greater conflict. Our work focuses on protecting tigers and helping local communities manage their interactions with these big cats.
Mayukh Chatterjee, Regional Field Programme Manager at Chester Zoo
One of the major initiatives, the Terai Tiger Project, in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, is helping local communities in Uttar Pradesh manage human-tiger interactions and avoid retaliatory killings. The project has already seen a significant reduction in the number of tigers removed or killed due to conflict.
Thanks to the project, the number of tigers removed due to retaliation has dropped dramatically. Community volunteers now resolve up to 92% of the cases, ensuring tigers receive safe passage back to their natural habitats.
Abhishek Ghoshal, Wildlife Trust of India
The Living with Large Carnivores Project, a collaboration between Chester Zoo, the Wildlife Trust of India, Nepal’s National Trust for Nature Conservation, and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, aims to promote peaceful coexistence between tigers and rural communities across India and Nepal. The project uses innovative practices, such as predator-proof pens for livestock in Nepal, and aims to implement successful practices from India.
Chester Zoo’s involvement in tiger conservation efforts, such as these ongoing projects, contributes to the protection of these iconic animals, ensuring that their future is safeguarded for generations to come.
