Census finds 24 big cats in Assam’s smallest national park, beating Corbett Orang has recorded the highest Royal Bengal tiger population ever with 24 tigers being found during the census carried out this year at the smallest national park in the state. The figure was made available exclusively to The Telegraph today. The figure showed an increase of 17 tigers at the 78.81-square km park since 2008 after the camera-trapping method was introduced to carry out the census in the tiger habitats of the state. During this period, 10 tigers died at Orang, a few because of poisoning and the rest of natural causes. The census was carried out jointly by the forest department and Aaranyak, an NGO and the cameras were installed in the months of January and February. With the latest figure, the national park, dubbed miniature Kaziranga National Park, is set to become the highest density tiger habitat (25.24) in the country. It was placed second (17.68) after Corbett National Park (17.83) based on the figures released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2011. Of the 24 tigers recorded during camera trapping at Orang, three are male, 16 female and sex of one has not been identified. Four cubs were also spotted during the census. Divisional forest officer of the national park, Sushil Kr Daila, said dedicated efforts by the forest staff in conservation was the main reason for an increase in tiger population at the national park. “Despite odds and constant threat of tigers being poisoned by villagers on the fringe areas, our men have managed to carry on with the good work,” Daila said. He said the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has requested the Assam government to notify Orang as a satellite core of Kaziranga tiger reserve. “We have, however, requested the authority to declare the national park an individual tiger reserve with Burachapori and Laokhowa wildlife sanctuaries as its satellite core,” Daila said. The Brahmaputra separates Burachapori and Laokhowa sanctuaries from Orang, which is on the north bank. A team of experts from the NTCA had visited the national park on June 11 and had assured financial assistance soon to beef up security after it witnessed the death of three tigers a couple of months back because of poisoning. Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak said sufficient prey animal and protection were the main reasons for a healthy tiger population at Orang. “Increase in tiger population in such a small area has resulted in tigers straying out of the park frequently and coming into conflict with humans,” Ahmed, who is a wildlife biologist and also a member of the conservation authority, said. Inspector general of the NTCA (northeast), D.P. Bangkhwal, said it was a very positive development that tiger population is thriving in such a small area like Orang. “Orang could be declared a tiger reserve but its size is very small. There should be at least 150 square km to declare a particular area a tiger reserve,” he said. In another development, two poachers who had made an attempt to kill rhinos at Orang recently, were arrested from near the national park yesterday. “Our men foiled an attempt by poachers to kill rhinos about a week back. We have identified the poachers and arrested them yesterday. Two are still absconding,” Daila said