Bhubaneswar, April 5: The Odisha government has officially launched its own tiger census in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), located in the Mayurbhanj district, starting today. This extensive exercise will be conducted in multiple phases throughout the year, aiming to gather detailed data on the tiger population within the reserve.

Upon completion, the findings will be submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and the final census report is expected to be released in 2026.

According to official sources, the Forest Department has deployed 85 trained personnel, organized into eight teams, to carry out the survey. These teams will use traditional tracking methods, such as analyzing pugmarks, scat, and urine samples, to estimate the number of tigers in the reserve.

To enhance the accuracy of the data collection, over 300 trap cameras and artificial intelligence-powered camera systems have been installed across various zones of Similipal. These devices will provide real-time photographic evidence of tiger movement and behavior.

As per the last census, Similipal housed 24 adult tigers and eight cubs. However, forest officials believe the current tiger population has grown, citing recent camera footage from the reserve’s core area.

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