Royal Bengal Tiger Panthera Tigris Tigris in Nepal : Abundance of Prey Base and Its Trend in Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve

As an obligate predator of large ungulates, the tiger (Panther tigris tigris) is an ideal umbrella species for protection of large tracts of forest. The current global tiger population is in precarious state since it is believed to compromise only 5% of what was there just a century ago and vanishing of tiger from as much as 40% of their habitat in just 10 years period. In Nepal, the distribution of tiger is limited to flat lands of Terai within fragmented pockets of PAs. While the protection outside PAs is out of reach, there is significant human pressure in the PAs. Nepal holds 55 of global tiger population with the number of 155 adult tiger. Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is considered as one of the potential habitat for both tiger and prey density. Even in the area of 52km2, high ungulate biomass was observed. Reduction in pressure such as cattle grazing and human disturbance is required before ungulate and tiger can revive to their potential. More strict conservation measure is required from reserve side for long time survival of the species.