Next month in the main update at WildTiger there will be more about collaborations, support and people involved but an attack by a tiger on a man in a rice field in a buffer zone area today heightened the need for good communication and understanding. This year so far in the Bardia/Banke/Katarniaghat area there has only been one fatality after the 2019 toll stretched well into double figures. Obviously lockdowns etc influence the dynamics but there is no doubt there is progress. In a meeting with Manju and SuSeLa (image) this morning we talked about how the kids are talking to their families, explaining their knowledge, creating understanding. Where we were sitting that village has had two very active leopards of late but the communication which has developed as a result of the kid’s program has meant everyone has stayed safe. As well as that, even small children know the different cat names whereas before all those species were known as bagh (tiger). Now they are fully aware of leopards and jungle cats etc, the differences, this understanding is vital for coexistence. We’re adapting to the new normal and next month we will be explaining more about a new system where there are ‘learning bubbles’ where kids can learn safely with tablets, the first of which are being supplied with the kind help of the Yeti Nepal Trust (New Zealand). I have a lot of faith in the processes we have thought through as we move forward. It’s a different world now and the challenges of human and wildlife coexistence have evolved with that. We are evolving with it and although there will be always be incidents we know that with positive change the safety of people and wildlife can increase.

Appended later in the day:

BLAME 5G (IF YOU MUST BLAME SOMETHING) AND NOT LEOPARDS