May 7: Over the past seven years, at least 30 tigers have been found dead in and around Nepal's Chitwan National Park.

Of the dead tigers, 14 were male and eight were female, while the identities of eight tigers have yet to be established, accoridng to Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Information Officer at CNP.

The reasons for the deaths of the tigers were varied, with eight dying due to old age, eight from in-fighting, five during treatment, one from illness, and three from poison in their food. The causes of death for the remaining five tigers are still unknown.

The number of tiger deaths has been on the rise since the fiscal year 2072/73 BS. One tiger was found dead in that year, while the number rose to four in the following fiscal year, and continued to increase, reaching a peak of eight in 2075/76.

Three tigers were found dead in 2076/77, two in 2077/78, and six in 2078/79. However, no tigers have been found dead in the current fiscal year.

Although the tiger population has been increasing at Chitwan National Park, the rise in the number of tigers has also led to an increase in wildlife in-fighting as they compete for food. As a result, tiger deaths have also gone up.

According to data from CNP, as of mid-April this year, 96 wild animals have been found dead, while 96 wild animals have been rescued.