‘The tiger had my husband by his throat – I fought to save him with a stick’

Tiger numbers across Nepal have almost tripled since 2010 .

Nepal was the only country to double its tiger numbers by 2022 .

At least 32 people have been killed and 15 injured in confrontations with the animals since 2018 .

The villages close to Chitwan National Park , home to a third of Nepal ’s tigers, are a hotspot for simmering tensions.

The Telegraph joins a group of mahouts, rangers and soldiers as they set off on patrol atop four enormous Asian elephants.

The majestic giants become an essential part of conservation efforts during Nepal ’s relentless rainy season.

Working with locals has been especially critical to tackle poaching and hunting which, alongside habitat loss, first pushed Bengal tigers to an endangered status.

Lilarag blacked out as the tiger clawed his face and neck, and woke up disoriented in a hospital ward a week later .

He remained there for 15 days as doctors reconstructed his face his left jaw is now held together with a metal bolt.

“Most people when they encounter a tiger, they’re going to die, but I got another life from my wife,” he says.