India’s tiger census of 2018 has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest ever camera-trap wildlife survey conducted anywhere in the world. According to the survey, the country was home to an estimated 2,967 tigers, nearly 75 per cent of the global population
In 2018, India had as many as 2,967 tigers, with more than half of them in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, according to that year’s tiger estimation report.
The paired camera traps were placed at 26,760 different locations across 139 study sites, which generated approximately 35 million photos, including 76,523 tiger and 51,337 leopard photos.
According to the survey “In total, the camera traps captured 34,858,623 photographs of wildlife (76,651 of which were tigers and 51,777 were leopards; the remainder were other native fauna). From these photographs, 2,461 individual tigers (excluding cubs) were identified using stripe-pattern-recognition software,” the survey says. The Guinness World Records website says: “The survey, conducted in 2018-19, was the most comprehensive to date in terms of both resource and data amassed. Camera traps (outdoor photographic devices fitted with motion sensors that start recording when an animal passes by) were placed in 26,838 locations across 141 different sites and surveyed an effective area of 121,337 sq km (46,848 square miles).”
The findings of the All India Tiger Estimation, 2018 was released by PM Modi. Tigers in the country have witnessed a 33% rise in population since 2014. Currently, the country has a total of 2,967 tigers, a significant increase from 2,226 tigers in 2014.
While announcing the results, the Prime Minister had also said that the country would strike a healthy balance between development and the environment. He said “India will build more homes for our citizens and at the same time create quality habitats for animals. India will have a vibrant marine economy and healthier marine ecology. This balance is what will contribute to a strong and inclusive India,”
India’s Tiger Census is widely regarded as the World’s largest wildlife survey. Started in 2006, the census is taken after every four years. For the 2018 census, the northeastern states, which had not seen proper coverage in the past few years were scanned vigorously this time.
The latest results of 2018 had shown that India now has an estimated 2,967 tigers out of which 2,461 individual tigers have been photo captured.
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