ABSTRACT
Since 2006, tiger estimation exercises using camera traps have been conducted every four years in India under the supervision of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Tiger estimation exercises using camera traps involve deploying remote cameras equipped with motion sensors in tiger habitats to capture images of tigers and other wildlife. These camera traps are strategically placed across known tiger habitats and movement corridors to maximize the chances of detecting tigers and obtaining accurate population estimates. The collected images are then carefully analyzed by trained experts to identify individual tigers based on their unique stripe patterns. This allows researchers to estimate tiger populations and monitor population trends over time. Camera trap surveys provide valuable data on tiger distribution, abundance, and demographics, which are essential for conservation planning, habitat management, and monitoring the effectiveness of conservation efforts. These surveys also help identify priority areas for conservation interventions and guide conservation strategies to protect and conserve tiger populations in their natural habitats. This chapter highlights how camera traps were used to capture data and further used to estimate the number of tigers using statistical sampling methods in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 2012.
