Bhutan’s Tiger Story: A Tale of Growth, Spread and Hope

Bhutan, a haven for biodiversity, is celebrating a remarkable success story with its tiger population. A recent national survey revealed a staggering 27% increase in tigers over the past six years, bringing the estimated population to 131 individuals. This exciting growth is further bolstered by documented cases of tigers dispersing over vast distances, entering new territories and even crossing international borders.

A fascinating example involves a pair of siblings from Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) who went on incredible journeys eastwards. One settled in Mongar, while the other went all the way to Trashigang. These sightings represent the first confirmed presence of tigers in these areas in a long time.

But what motivates these long journeys? While tigers naturally seek out food and suitable territory, the existing healthy tiger population within RMNP and the adjacent Zhemgang Forest Division suggests that territory expansion may be the primary driver in this case.

This dispersal behavior is crucial to tiger conservation. It allows for the establishment of new populations, reduces inbreeding within existing populations, and helps maintain a healthy overall tiger population in Bhutan, known as a single, well-connected metapopulation.

The story doesn’t end there. A recent case documented a tiger moving between Sikkim in India and Samtse district in Bhutan. Surprisingly, this tiger was previously sighted in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) during the 2021-2022 national tiger survey. The tiger had crossed hundreds of kilometers and several rivers to travel from central Bhutan west to Sikkim, before returning to Samtse in April this year. This suggests successful breeding within Bhutan, allowing young tigers to disperse and potentially establish new territories even beyond Bhutan’s borders. This confirms Bhutan’s role as a source location for tigers in the region.

But how are these long-distance journeys possible? The answer lies in Bhutan’s robust network of protected areas and biological corridors. These corridors are essentially paths of intact forest cover that connect protected areas, allowing animals like tigers to navigate safely between them.

These cases of transboundary movement highlight the importance of international cooperation and conservation initiatives. Bhutan’s well-connected protected area network, intact forest cover, and functional biological corridors allow tigers to move freely, potentially contributing to the overall health of tigers in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent. Bhutan could potentially connect tiger populations in the Terai Arc landscape with tiger populations in the eastern Himalayas.

Bhutan’s success story offers invaluable lessons for tiger conservation worldwide. By prioritizing protected areas, maintaining critical corridors, and fostering international cooperation, Bhutan has become a beacon of hope for these magnificent creatures. Our thriving tiger population demonstrates that conservation efforts, when implemented effectively, can yield remarkable results. As Bhutan continues its exemplary conservation practices, we can all celebrate the roar of a resurgent tiger population echoing across the majestic Himalayan landscapes.

Contributed by Tashi Dhendup,

Bhutan Tiger Centre, Conservation Department, DoFPS