Revival of Tigers: Long-Term Trends (2009-2022) in the Relative Abundance Index of Tigers, Prey, and Anthropogenic Disturbance in Parsa National Park, Nepal.

ABSTRACT: Tigers (Panthera tigris) are apex predators and vital indicators of a healthy terrestrial ecosystem. Their effective conservation demands long-term data on their populations, prey abundance, and anthropogenic disturbances from humans and domestic animals across different forest management regimes. In this study, we analyzed camera trap datasets (2009, 2013, 2018, and 2022) from Parsa National Park, its buffer zone, and adjoining national forests. Using the Relative Abundance Index (RAI), we quantified the abundance of tigers, prey, humans, and domestic animals. Our findings revealed a significant increase (χ² = 9.6; df = 3; p < 0.05) in the RAI of tigers (from 2.65 in 2009 to 7.11 in 2022) and their prey, coupled with a decrease in anthropogenic disturbances in the

SUBMITTER: Maharjan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12466492 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature