Tass tigress at doorstep of Tadoba?

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jan 4, 2012, 04.35AM IST NAGPUR: The Tass tigress that was rescued from a drain and released back into wild in Bhiwapur forest, appears to have found its way to the doorstep of Tadoba tiger reserve. If that is the case, the tigress has travelled over 35 km in just over a month after her release. The signals received by forest officials and the monitoring team from her radio-collar show that the tigress is in a reserve forests in Brahmapuri (area not revealed) very close to Tadoba's buffer and may be heading towards Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The tigress was rescued on October 13 from an open drain adjoining Tass forest in Bhiwapur. It was released in its original habitat after treatment on November 27. Tigers are great wanderers and only a scientific study can tell why the tigress moved out so long. In 2009, a radio-collared tiger had travelled 250 kms from Kanha tiger reserve to reach Pench. Similarly, last year, another radio-collared tigress from MP Pench had reached Mansinghdeo sanctuary in Maharashtra. Experts say there may be many reasons like poor prey base and competition in its original habitat for tigress' long run and a study needs to be done. The tigress had killed a goat and some wild boars in Ranmangli and Paoni forests. Officials are closely monitoring the beast and are cautious not to reveal its location fearing it could be hunted. A K Saxena, additional PCCF for wildlife, East, who also holds charge of chief wildlife warden, did not go into the details saying the matter was sensitive. "We are keeping a close watch," he stressed. The tigress is suspected to have moved from Ranmangli through Paoni and Kanpa-Tenpa. The movement, essential to maintain a healthy gene pool, underlines the importance of protecting corridors that are fast getting fragmented. The tigress seems to be clever and as it avoided villages and canals and also crossed state highway 9 to reach Tadoba. "It amply shows how road widening, canals, dams and biotic pressure threaten tigers. The tigress is lucky," said officials. Conservationists, who did not wish to be quoted, felt that the tigress must be originally from Tadoba stock and must be acquainted with the routes. It could have even moved towards Wadsa or Pratapgarh-Navegaon-Nagzira, which is another corridor. "Generally, cats move on routes they are familiar with," they said. An Umred-based NGO Wildlife Conservation and Development Centre (WLCDC), working for tiger conservation in Bhiwapur, claimed they had first sighted the Tass tigress near Kharangla with its mother in April 2009. It must be around five months old then. Members of NGO feel Karhandla-Bhiwapur seems to have a source population from where tigers move into Tadoba landscape. The WLCDC members claimed the tigress may have moved in search of a mate. But this is also doubtful as Bhiwapur area already has male tigers. An expert disagreed saying, "I'm not ready to believe that Bhiwapur has a source population. It does not have prey density to support resident tigers. The tigress moved towards Tadoba landscape due to strong continuity that needs to be strengthened." Saxena said, "We will definitely do a corridor study." Quotes The tigress must be originally from Tadoba stock and must be acquainted with the routes. It could have even moved towards Wadsa or Pratapgarh-Navegaon-Nagzira, which is another corridor. Conservationst I'm not ready to believe that Bhiwapur has a source population. It does not have prey density to support resident tigers. The tigress moved towards Tadoba landscape due to strong continuity that needs to be strengthened. Expert Tracking The Tigress Officials are closely monitoring the beast and are cautious not to reveal its location fearing it could be hunted The tigress is suspected to have moved from Ranmangli through Paoni and Kanpa-Tenpa The tigress avoided villages and canals and also crossed state highway 9 to reach Tadoba The movement underlines the importance of protecting corridors that are fast getting fragmented http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tass-tigress-at-doorstep-of-Tadoba/articleshow/11358192.cms