Counting wild tigers accurately is essential for effective conservation. Modern camera trap and occupancy modelling methods have transformed our ability to monitor populations with minimal disturbance, replacing invasive techniques that caused welfare harms.
Welfare considerations in tiger monitoring include minimising stress from proximity to camera stations, avoiding trap-and-collar operations unless essential for specific research questions, and ensuring that research activities do not habituate tigers to human presence in ways that increase conflict risk. GPS collaring provides valuable movement data but involves anaesthesia with associated physiological stress and risks. Non-invasive methods that yield equivalent data are now preferred by most conservation bodies. Good census methodology also benefits welfare indirectly by ensuring conservation resources are allocated to where tiger populations most need support.