many methods are used. Pug marks, Video footage, cameras etc finally the data from different sourced are matched.
Pug Mark Method: In this method, the pug mark i.e. the foot print of the tiger is important. It is considered that each pug mark is unique in itself & by analyzing various foot prints in the areas of tigers, the number of tigers in that area can be counted. (Note: Accuracy is not that good. It is the cheapest method available. It generates employment in the region by way of jobs for local people as volunteers for analyzing the tiger foot prints)
Camera Trap: In this various method, cameras are installed in the tiger areas having night vision facility (the ability of the camera to record at night) as well. By recording various tigers in the camera, the number of tigers can be estimated. (Note: Accuracy is same as Pug Mark method but the labour survey done in Pug Mark method is minimized in Camera trap as there involves no use of people for surveys. It is more costly than Pug Mark Method. It doesn’t generate employment in the local areas. This method becomes useless in areas having salty waters. It damages the camera)
Poop/scat Method: In this method the number of tigers is counted by poop/scat (droppings of the tiger). The poop is analyzed by DNA sampling and then we can arrive at a more accurate count. (Note: It is not always that someone will get the poop of all the tigers in an area)
Radio Collar Method: Tigers are captured in this method & are fitted with a radio collar. In this way the tigers can be counted. (This method fails when the concerned tiger enters the salty water) -
See more at: Counting the Tigers in India | Erewise
my adopted State Karnataka surprisingly have the Highest Tiger count !
thank you sonia amma!Funny how nobody would credit Congi government for this while if this happened in Modi government or in Gujarat then everyone would be jumping in joy - 'Acche din aa gaye'.
