3 tiger cubs added to Ranthambore reserve, officials wary of rising numbers - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

3 tiger cubs added to Ranthambore reserve, officials wary of rising numbers

Sep 02, 2021 04:00 PM IST

Due to the growing tiger population and fights, the Rajasthan chief minister ordered a panel of experts to suggest ways to shift/relocate tigers. The panel was constituted in July and the report is awaited

Three tiger cubs, spotted for the first time at Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR), have taken the big cat population to 74 at the sanctuary located at Sawai Madhopur.

Tigress T-105 was spotted with her three new born cubs at the Ranthambore tiger reserve in Rajasthan. (Photo Courtesy- Forest Department)
Tigress T-105 was spotted with her three new born cubs at the Ranthambore tiger reserve in Rajasthan. (Photo Courtesy- Forest Department)

The reserve now has 20 tigers, 30 tigresses, and 24 sub-adults and cubs, apart from 4 tigers each in Keladevi range and Dholpur range of the reserve.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The tigress T-105 was sighted with 3 cubs on Wednesday evening in Tapkan-Sultanpur area in zone-1, said Sanjiv Sharma, assistant conservator of forest at Ranthambore reserve.

He said it was the first litter of the big cat, the daughter of tigress T-39.

While the good news has excited wildlife lovers, the RTR administration is also worried that with their increasing population, the tiger territory is shrinking.

A forest official said that due to increasing population territorial disputes are rising among big cats, resulting in migration.

Citing the example of tigress Ridhi and Siddhi, the official said they have injured each other a number of times due to territorial disputes and therefore need to be relocated to Sariska Tiger Reserve but the process hasn’t even started in the last two months despite all necessary approvals.

Due to the growing tiger population and fights, the Rajasthan chief minister ordered a panel of experts to suggest ways to shift/relocate tigers. The panel was constituted in July and the report is awaited.

Retired Indian Forest Service officer (IFS) Sunayan Sharma said relocation of tigers should be done on priority or else territorial fights and man-animal conflicts will continue.

“This is not scientific management as carrying capacity should be the guiding principle. Relocation and habitat improvement of tigers should be done simultaneously,” he said, referring to how tiger population was being managed at the RTR.

Sharma said old tiger habitats such as Ramgarh Vishdhari, MHTR, and Raoli Todgarh in Udaipur should be revived and developed to help in tiger and environment conservation.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Sachin Saini is Special Correspondent for Rajasthan. He covers politics, tourism, forest, home, panchayati raj and rural development, and development journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On