A young female tiger was successfully relocated from Dharampur village in the Meghauli buffer zone to the secure habitat within Chitwan National Park. Her presence on privately owned land sparked several days of heightened villagers concern and intense activity by conservation teams. This incident underscores the growing complexities of balancing human safety with tiger conservation efforts across Nepal's protected areas.
In the days leading up to July 20, 2025, local people near a wildlife resort in Dharampur village, Meghauli buffer zone, reported signs of tiger presence including visible tracks. The situation escalated when a tiger was spotted in broad daylight, an uncommon and alarming event that raised villagers concern.
In response, a rapid response team comprising of technicians from Nepal Tiger Trust, Chitwan National Park, and the National Trust for Nature Conservation were quickly mobilized. Using elephants, pugmark tracking, and camera traps, they worked in coordination to locate and monitor the tiger.
Nepal Tiger Trust technicians, Baburam Mahato, Raju Kumal, and Bishnu Mahato, confirmed through camera records that the tiger was a young female around two years old. Her presence in human dominated areas likely stemmed from territorial displacement; her natal range is currently occupied by her mother (MPD2 Pothi), while the adjoining area belongs to her grandmother (Meghauli Pothi), prompting her to search for a new area.
A first day immobilization attempt was unsuccessful, but on July 22, the tigress was safely captured and brought to the Park headquarters in Kasara. The following day, she was released into a quieter, secure habitat within Chitwan National Park, where human interference is minimal.
Though this particular case was resolved peacefully, it highlights a growing challenge: habitat saturation is forcing younger tigers to venture beyond core protected areas in search of unclaimed territory, putting both wildlife and local communities at risk. This tigress had caused no harm, but her proximity to dense human settlements underscored the urgency for proactive management.
While relocating her was a difficult decision, we remain hopeful that she will now find a peaceful space to thrive. Nepal Tiger Trust continues to work in close partnership with Chitwan National Park, the National Trust for Nature Conservation, and local communities to foster sustainable coexistence and strengthen tiger conservation across Nepal's landscapes.
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