The first sweeping operation conducted in two years by 40 Bardia National Park employees with support from WWF Nepal has revealed alarming signs of decline in rhino and tiger populations. The team found evidence of only three rhinos in the favourable habitat in the southern part of the Babai valley. Since 1986, about 83 rhinos have been moved to Bardia. The findings indicate widespread poaching and the team detained two poachers with locally made muzzle guns and seized four weapons and a large cache of ammunition. It observed evidence of three tigers during the operation compared to reports of 13 tigers in the Babai Valley (1998-2001). The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and WWF have already initiated joint patrols to protect the two species. The team also noted that in areas where the conflict had little impact on conservation activities, rhino and tiger populations are stable or growing. A survey in August 2005 survey found that the population of 11 rhinos released in 1986 in the Karnali River floodplain in the park had grown to more than 30.