Thimphu, Aug 16 (IANS): Bhutan's first nationwide tiger survey that began in February has identified 20 animals in the Himalayan nation's southern region.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay launched the preliminary report submitted by the country's wildlife conservation division for the southern belt recently at the wildlife conference in Thimphu.

The report further states that 543 pictures and 32 videos were obtained from 650 grids where camera traps were set up, according to Bhutan's national newspaper Kuensel.

Officials said 1,522 grids were identified in the southern belt that represents potential tiger habitats, and 510 cameras were set up.

The cameras were left functional for 60 days. Once in every two weeks, the survey team monitored the cameras stationed nearby field office, and those located in far-flung areas were monitored once a month, the report states.

Other key findings from the preliminary survey state that 48 species of other mammals were also photographed.