The state government conducted a survey in 46 forest and wildlife divisions with the Royal Bengal Tigers population at 40. Tiger estimation is nearly one and half years after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA`s) release. The number of Royal Bengal Tigers is four less than the 2010 census that is by 28 reported the NTCA.

The principal chief conservator of forests released the report which shows that the Similipal Tiger Reserve alone 26 tigers in which 9 males, 14 females and three cubs are found. There are three tigers in other divisions such as Karanjia and Keonjhar while Khariar and Sundargarh have one each.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve reported the presence of two Royal Bengal Tigers and Sunabeda wildlife Sanctuary in Nuapada district has four big cats. The pug marks and camera trap methods were used for counting. The census was conducted from February 5-10 is reported in first phase Similipal alone which is repeated from April 17 to April 30 with 420 camera traps.

Former field director led two technical committees for Satkosia Tiger Reserve Anup Nayak and principal chief conservator of forests Sisir Acharya to get the exact figure as he analysed the inputs the census.

“The survey has been conducted in an extremely fair manner and it shows the exact number of big cats. Except Sunabeda sanctuary, all the divisions were provided with camera traps for the counting,” said Das.