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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Marooned Tadoba cubs force NTCA into action

After reports of two tigers cubs having been found around Tadoba tiger sanctuary NTCa has written to local park authorities suggesting a series of measures to be undertaken to unearth the wildlife killings going on in and around the park, reports The Indian Express. According to the report, this is the 4th such instance of tiger cubs being found in the area this year indicating their mothers have all been killed either by poachers or poisoned by villagers. Two days back CNN IBN published pictures of a wild dog caught in snare inside the sanctuary against pointing to lax security and presence of armed poaching gangs. NTCA has also recommended carrying out a detailed survey of tiger and prey population, marking territories of the big cats, strengthening intelligence set up in and around villages adjoining the park. With Maharashtra having signed the tripartite agreement with centre and NTCA, one hopes measures to tackle poaching will be put in place immediately.


Male Tiger to be relocated to Panna

After two tigresses were shifted to Panna Tiger Reserve early this year a male tiger is to set to arrive to give them company. According to a PTI report, WII scientists are in search of a suitable companion from Bandhavgarh national park. Panna reserve which was estimated to have around 35 tigers a few years ago was declared having lost all its striped cats earlier. One solitary male tiger was sighted earlier this year which too was apparently killed by poachers. Panna has been a disaster of enormous proportions for wildlife in India with the park authorities continuously turning a blind eye to warning signs of poaching inside the park over the years. In fact as late as last year the park director had claimed that tigers were safe and the park had a healthy population. Shifting of tigers from other reserves is important to repopulate the park but unless the reserves are made more secure and reasons for earlier loss of tigers are identified with long term solutions in place and accountability fixed, there is no guarantee of repeats not happening. MP govt is also yet to sign the tripartite agreement with the centre and NTCA. Perhaps it is time for them to put political differences aside and work towards contributing to a national cause.

Hunt for suitable male companion for Panna tigresses