JAIPUR: Tigers at the Sariska reserve may yet hope for company. Just when most wildlife enthusiasts had given up on the fresh bid to relocate two more tigers from the Ranthambore reserve to Sariska, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has reiterated that the relocation would definitely take place.
According to the Rajesh Gopal, director, NTCA, "The relocation would certainly take place. We are looking at a possible date somewhere around July 18."
Pessimism had crept in after an earlier date of July 4 for the relocation was not adhered to. Officials explained they were waiting for the rain. But even after a few showers there are few signs of relocating the tigers. Even people who should know had given up hope assuming that scales have tilted once again in favour of the tourism lobby which opposes removal of tiger from Ranthambore.
"We are just waiting for a few showers before the relocation takes place. Our experts are still at Ranthambore and are keeping track of the possible tigers that could be relocated. We have sent samples of these tigers to a laboratory in Bangalore and have got the results. The tigers to be relocated this time are not siblings of the ones that are already at Sariska," added Gopal.
In fact, it was this fear that had encouraged a debate halting the original relocation plans. Some wildlife enthusiasts had expressed fears that a blind shifting of tiger without a study of its DNA will encourage in-breeding among the cats resulting in weak cubs.
And though the ministry had earlier rejected such arguments and declared the Ranthambore tigers as healthy and such fears were unfounded, but eventually gave in to rising pressure halting the relocation. Since then attempts at relocation have fallen through.
This time the NTCA, to be doubly sure, is carrying out DNA test of scat samples of young tigers for their possible relocation.
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