Figure 1b: A tiger walking out of water, showing signs of discomfort
An injured tiger was recently observed in the Meghauli Community Forests, prompting Nepal Tiger Trust (NTT) to partner with park authorities to initiate close monitoring and precautionary actions.
Initial Sighting
On March 15, 2026, tourists accompanied by nature guide Hari Adhikari encountered a tiger resting in the water at Mushar Ghat inside the Radha Krishan Community Forest, Meghauli. They captured clear photos and videos and noticed the tiger walking with visible discomfort. Upon returning to Meghauli, they shared the footage with NTT senior technician Baburam Mahato. Comparison with NTT’s tiger photo database confirmed the individual as MT03 Bhale, the resident adult male of the area.
Coordination and Response
The sighting and injury concerns were immediately discussed with the Meghauli park ranger and Mr. Pravin Paudel, Assistant Chief Conservation Officer. The Chitwan park also matched the tiger photo with the database they had. Given the risk that an injured tiger may approach human settlements or behave unpredictably, the team agreed to begin intensive monitoring of MT03 Bhale.
Monitoring Efforts
Daily monitoring of the tiger’s movement began on March 15.
On March 18, two camera traps were installed at Mushar Ghat and Rapti Ghat to support surveillance.
Despite continuous monitoring, no tracks or images of MT03 Bhale were detected in the community forest for nearly a week.
Search Operation
On March 24, a comprehensive search of the entire Radha Krishna Community Forest was conducted using five elephants, with participation from the Nepal Army, park rangers, and NTT technicians. Although the tiger was not located, fresh tracks indicated that MT03 Bhale had crossed the Rapti River and moved into Chitwan National Park.
Current Status
As of March 29, 2026, neither MT03 Bhale nor any new signs of his presence have been observed in the Meghauli Community Forests. However, NTT and park authorities will continue monitoring to ensure human safety and support sustainable human–tiger coexistence.
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