CHITWAN, July 29: At least five tigers are killed each year in the country by poachers despite huge investment to curb poaching and protect tiger, conservation officials said Sunday.
"The number is based on the statements of poachers and smugglers arrested with tiger body parts," said Amir Maharjan, assistant conservation officer at Chitwan national park. "It is very unfortunate that we have not been able to protect the animals from poachers and smugglers.”
According to Maharjan those held for killing rhino were also found to have been involved in killing tigers. "The body parts of the wild animals such as skin, nails and bones that were seized from poachers were still safely kept in forest conservation training center," he said. Maharjan however, said some tigers were also killed by authorities as they were man-eaters.
As per the last year´s data, the national park had arrested 33 on charge of killing rhino, 25 for smuggling timber, six for selling animal parts and one each for forest encroachment and illegal entry into the national park.
As per the 2010 data there were a total of 125 tigers in the national park.
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