KANCHANPUR: The number of spotted tigers has been found to have increased to 15 in the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.

The spotted tiger in the list of endangered species was limited to around eight to twelve five years ago. This year it was found that they have increased to fifteen due to check in poaching and good habitat for them, says chief conservation officer of the reserve Bed Kumar Dhakal.

Furthermore, sufficient number of deer, wild boar and blue cow that are liked by the tigers is also another reason for their rise in number, adds Dhakal.

Tiger conservation efforts continue at the reserve since 1974. And the census of tigers is continuous since 1999.