TOI had an interesting bit today. Given the high cost of airlifting involved, Govt of Rajasthan has decided to shift the next few big cats to Sarika from Ranthambore by road.
Road route likely for Sariska-bound tigerJAIPUR: It could be economy-class for the male tiger that has to be translocated from the Ranthambore tiger reserve to Sariska some time this July.
The state forest department is seriously contemplating using a custom made trailer for relocating the tiger this time. Till now, all the three big cats that have been relocated to Sariska have had the "luxury" of an air ride on board an IAF helicopter.
Officials of the forestdepartment disclosed that the move is being considered so as to cut costs. "Air travel requires a lot of expenses. For it is not just the one-time ride with the big cat but sometimes the tiger proves elusive, specially in the monsoon season, and the helicopter has to wait for a long time," the official said.
In fact, during the relocation of the second tigress, the third in a row, the helicopter had to fly off without completing the mission as the tigress proved elusive on two occasions. Officials of the WildlifeInstitute of India (WII) had failed to locate the earmarked tigress in a correct position to tranquillise it.
But more than the cost, the state forest department is thinking of betterways to transport the tiger being emboldened by three successful translocations to Sariska. Sunday marked the completion of a year of the first relocation of a tigress to Sariska.
"During these relocations what we learnt was that if the big cat is sedated in a controlled way tit behaves in a docile manner. However, in the event we use a trailer we would take proper precautions so that the tiger is well protected not only from the bumps on the road but from climatic conditions too," said the official hinting at the use of an air-conditioned vehicle or water sprays during travel. In fact tigers have been relocated from Panna to Kanha by road.
However, travel by road from Ranthambore to Sariska would take longer and the cat would have to travel about 50 km extra. "That is not a worry. Once sedated, the tiger remains in that condition for at least 4 to 6 hours. In fact, by road we will be able to monitor the animal better," the official reaffirmed.
The forest department is looking forward to relocating at least two big cats this financial year and three more in the next two years. "Along with this the process of supplementing five big cats every two years will be on," he added.
The relocation this time would also see the forest department use satellite radio collars that would have an embedded antenna and is manufactured by a Canadian company. The standard radio collars suffer from the weakness that the antenna are susceptible to damage. Besides, the relocation would also put into practice the fresh set of protocols for relocation as issued by the Centre.
Officials of the forestdepartment disclosed that the move is being considered so as to cut costs. "Air travel requires a lot of expenses. For it is not just the one-time ride with the big cat but sometimes the tiger proves elusive, specially in the monsoon season, and the helicopter has to wait for a long time," the official said.
In fact, during the relocation of the second tigress, the third in a row, the helicopter had to fly off without completing the mission as the tigress proved elusive on two occasions. Officials of the WildlifeInstitute of India (WII) had failed to locate the earmarked tigress in a correct position to tranquillise it.
But more than the cost, the state forest department is thinking of betterways to transport the tiger being emboldened by three successful translocations to Sariska. Sunday marked the completion of a year of the first relocation of a tigress to Sariska.
"During these relocations what we learnt was that if the big cat is sedated in a controlled way tit behaves in a docile manner. However, in the event we use a trailer we would take proper precautions so that the tiger is well protected not only from the bumps on the road but from climatic conditions too," said the official hinting at the use of an air-conditioned vehicle or water sprays during travel. In fact tigers have been relocated from Panna to Kanha by road.
However, travel by road from Ranthambore to Sariska would take longer and the cat would have to travel about 50 km extra. "That is not a worry. Once sedated, the tiger remains in that condition for at least 4 to 6 hours. In fact, by road we will be able to monitor the animal better," the official reaffirmed.
The forest department is looking forward to relocating at least two big cats this financial year and three more in the next two years. "Along with this the process of supplementing five big cats every two years will be on," he added.
The relocation this time would also see the forest department use satellite radio collars that would have an embedded antenna and is manufactured by a Canadian company. The standard radio collars suffer from the weakness that the antenna are susceptible to damage. Besides, the relocation would also put into practice the fresh set of protocols for relocation as issued by the Centre.
