Is Sunderban tiger a different sub-species?

Sunderban tiger was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago: Dr. Jhalla

‘The leaner frame and lesser body-mass is an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat'

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KOLKATA: Scientists and officials of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve are investigating whether the Sunderban tiger is a different sub-species compared to those found in the sub-continent, officials told The Hindu on Sunday.

The Sunderban tiger exhibits certain distinctive morphological adaptations that make it particularly suited to the mangrove habitat of the Sunderban islands.

The average size of the adult tigers there is much smaller and it weighs about only 100 kilograms, compared to the heavier tigers elsewhere.

A six-year-old male tiger that strayed into the inhabited areas and captured by reserve officials over the weekend weighed only 98 kilograms.

Measurements of its body parts confirmed that the animal has a smaller frame than the tigers on the mainland, said Subrat Mukherjee, Sunderban Tiger Reserve Field Director.

Besides DNA analysis of the cat, Mr. Mukherjee will also study the skeletons of tigers as part of the research.

DNA analysis

“We will have to see whether these adaptations are only morphological or whether they are genetic adaptations that will qualify them to be listed as a separate sub-species. For this purpose, the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of the tigers will have to be studied,” said Y. Jhalla, an expert at the Wildlife Institute of India.

Dr. Jhalla explained that considering the mutation rates that led to a genetic change, usually an animal that was isolated for a period of one million years was classified as a different species and one that was genetically isolated for between 20,000 and 50,000 years was a different sub-species.

“In the case of the Sunderban tiger, it was part of a contiguous region with others and was perhaps separated about 500 to 1,000 years ago,” he said.

Advantage

The leaner frame and lesser body-mass was an advantage for the Sunderban tiger in its habitat, he added.

A smaller animal needed lesser food.

Since the main prey of the Sunderban tiger (spotted deer) was a lean animal that weighed only about 50 kg, compared to much heavier sambar or gaur that were eaten by other tigers, the animal could make do with lesser food, he said.

Muddy terrain

“Secondly, less body weight makes it easier for the animal to move around in the muddy terrain of the Sunderbans. If the tiger is heavier, its feet will sink further into the soil as it walks and it will have to expend more energy,” Dr. Jhalla said.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/25/stories/2010102558242000.htm

Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http:

NAGPUR: Protected areas (PAs) like sanctuaries, national parks and reserves are not only homes for wildlife but they also contribute to reducing the risk of natural disasters by helping adapt to climate change.

Around 40 experts, including 20 field directors, will gather at Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, on November 2 and 3, to evolve a strategy to enhance the role of PAs in climate change, mobilise resources set aside for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems through a worldwide network of national parks, and increase disaster resilience of local communities dependent on the ecosystem services of the parks.

The international workshop has been organised by Satpuda Foundation, a leading NGO in Central India, in collaboration with Global Tiger Forum (GTF), inter-governmental body International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).

The main target group of this global workshop are park managers, representing national parks in Asia, where indigenous and poor communities depend on natural resources for their livelihood, and national disaster planning agencies.

The objective of the workshop is to document good practices in biodiversity conservation, to reduce disaster risk and promote adaptation to extreme weather events. Also, the participants aim to find ways to align national and regional policies to address gaps in global policy as per the Global Platform 2011.

"We will also list future challenges from a changing climate, which could be addressed through an ecosystem-based approach and regional issues that need policy changes to achieve the objective," said Kishor Rithe, president of the foundation.

Developing countries show apathy towards PA network, almost always saying that poverty alleviation is a priority for them rather than managing and conserving Pas, which are homes of endangered species. "However, it is wrong. PAs actually help in poverty alleviation of locals and also provide great ecological services," says Rithe.

Satpuda Foundation, IUCN, UN`s ISDR and GTF have come forward to strengthen PAs in Asia for the benefits of locals in the international biodiversity year.

Field Directors from 20 tiger reserves in India will participate in the workshop along with PA managers from Asia and officers from disaster reduction cells from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Read more: Pench workshop to discuss role of PAs in climate change - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Pench-workshop-to-discuss-role-of-PAs-in-climate-change/articleshow/6812689.cms#ixzz13SGD6YKc

Tiger gatecrashes Katy-Brand wedding

American singer Kate Perry and English comedian Russell Brand had an uninvited guest during their wedding celebrations here two days ago -- a tiger.

"A tiger known as T24 gate-crashed the wedding venue with a prey around midnight when the celebrations were on. The guards had a difficult time shooing it away," a security guard at the Aman-i-Khás resort told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

"The tiger was only 50-75 feet away from the party venue when my colleagues managed to frighten him away," the guard said.

The particular tiger has been spotted in the past near the resort, he said. A few days back he was seen with a prey - a "neel gai"

Though forest officials are tightlipped over the incident, the guard said that it seems that the tiger was attracted to the resort seeing the lights and smell of food.

"Variety of dishes, including traditional Rajasthani, continental and Chinese food, were cooked for the guests," he added.

The couple had a Hindu ritualistic wedding Saturday amid chanting of Vedic mantras. They took seven rounds around a holy fire and tied their nuptial knots.

Aman-i-Khás, situated close to the Ranthmabore National Park, is a wilderness camp for travellers wishing to experience the natural beauty and rural life of Rajasthan.

The property sits on a gentle slope on the fringes of the park against a backdrop of hills.

Native vegetation of tall grasses, scrub and trees surrounds the camp. A watering hole is situated nearby.

The entrance to the camp is via a pathway that leads through high walls, opening onto breathtaking views of the rocky Aravalli hills that undulate through the Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle.

The high-profile wedding ran into problems when paparazzi clashed with minders during a safari trip to Ranthambore.

The photographers claimed that a member of the actor's entourage came up to their vehicle and
punched the driver in the face. They also took away the keys of the photographers' vehicle.

But the offending security staff later visit a police station and offered apologies to the photographers.

Read more: Tiger gatecrashes Katy-Brand wedding - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/Tiger-gatecrashes-Katy-Brand-wedding/articleshow/6808882.cms#ixzz13SG5wjbQ