In its latest tiger count, the Wildlife Institute of India has reported at least 10 tigers less than the previous estimate made at the Rajaji sanctuary in Uttarakhand.

The earlier census conducted in 2005 by the forest department was based on the pugmark count, a method now viewed as unscientific. Somewhere around 24 tigers had been counted then. The latest count suggests there are around 10 to 12 tigers in the park.

“The Dhaulkand range has lost its tiger population and the entire area is suffering. This is possibly because of poaching. The number of tigers in the Chilla range, which is the other part of the park, is more or less stable,” said a Wildlife Institute of India scientist.

He, however, added that the earlier tiger census had inflated figures. “The new count is based on camera traps which gives concrete proof of tigers by taking a picture. There is much more margin for error in the pugmark method.”