Guwahati: In India's Northeast, tigers were trapped on camera for the first time indicating the fact that the country may have been looking at exaggerated findings in the previous censuses over the years. The population is still healthy.
Over a period of one year, Feroze and his team from Aaryanak -- an independent wildlife research organisation -- conducted the first on-camera study of tigers at Orang or Rajiv Gandhi National Park. The study also involved the Forest Department of Assam.
Camera trapping is considered to be the most reliable method of ascertaining animal population.
"In camera trapping, we get the picture of tigers and their stripes and every tiger has independently different stripes so from that we can identify," Feroze said.
But the study has revealed disturbing facts.
"As per 2002 census there was 19 tigers, which was the old method of census but our camera trap shows seven to nine tigers," Feroze added.
Researchers say seven tigers for an area of 78 sq km can be considered healthy, but unless there is a corridor between tiger habitats, in-breeding could be the next big worry for the big cat. Orang is already a victim.