Four tiger cubs burnt to death in forest fire

Press Trust of India / Dehra Dun June 07, 2012, 16:11 Four tiger cubs were burnt to death in a forest fire in the jungles of Aampokhara near Hempur area of Nainital district, a top official today said. The fire broke out last evening and when the army and forest personnel reached the area to douse the blaze, they found the carcasses of three burnt tiger cubs, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) S S Sharma said, adding, another tiger cub was found alive but during treatment, it also succumbed to burn injuries. All the cubs were less than one-year-old, he added. Sharma said the forest department is making all possible efforts to check incidents of forest fires like clearance of dried pine leaves, formation of fire lines, seeking cooperation from Van Panchayats and the local residents besides setting up crew stations and regular patrolling in forest area especially in reserve forest areas. The issue of forest fires and safety of wild animals from fires also echoed in the state Assembly with Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal directing the state government to take necessary steps in this direction. Describing the issue as a serious matter, Kunjwal asked the government to make a comprehensive fire management action plan to check the incidents of forest fire. Kunjwal's directive came after BJP member Bishan Singh Chufal raised the issue. Chufal said lives of several birds and wild animals have lost in these forest fires and the state government must take serious steps to control them. http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/four-tiger-cubs-burnt-to-death-in-forest-fire/18071/

Combing operations on in Corbett Tiger Reserve

Tags: Poaching, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Dehradun Dehradun: Intensive combing operations were today carried out at the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) following the arrest of three suspected poachers. "We are continuing our combing operation for some more time," CTR Director R K Mishra said. Following the combing operation, a CTR team with the assistance of local police arrested three suspected poachers with four snares, pieces of meat, steel chains and other materials used for killing wild animals from Bijrani range on Tuesday. However, five of their accomplices managed to flee from the spot taking advantage of darkness, Mishra said. "We will continue the operation till the other poachers are also nabbed," said Mishra. He said 24-hours patrolling and combing is being done in Corbett to nab the poachers. Day and night patrolling in the reserve forest areas in Uttarakhand, including the Rajaji Park, would continue as the security of tigers is a challenge especially when the maximum density of 214 tigers have been reported from Corbett in 2012, Sharma said. Mishra said the forest department has prepared a long-term proposal of intensive patrolling in tiger areas with an estimated cost of Rs 9.80 crore. PTI http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/combing-operations-on-in-corbett-tiger-reserve_780326.html

One held for smuggling tiger-skin

TNN | Jun 7, 2012, 04.20AM IST COIMBATORE: In an early morning operation, forest officials arrested a person carrying a bag with tiger skin at the Thiruvalluvar Bus Stand in the city on Wednesday. Officials suspect the skin to belong to that of a tiger cub less than a year old. Conservator of Forests, of Coimbatore Circle, VT Kandasamy told reporters on Wednesday afternoon, that officials, led by assistant conservator, R Jayaraj, had gone to the spot based on a tip off. They arrested Palanisamy(47), a resident of Kumaranthapuram in Tirupur. The estimated cost of the skin is around Rs 5 lakh, officials said. The skin will be sent to the centre for cellular and molecular biology, Hyderabad, for verification. Kandasamy said that there are around 125 to 150 tigers in the Nilgiris biosphere reserve. The government has allotted more staff and vehicles to curb the smuggling of tiger skin and poaching, he added. Despite control measures, he said many people continue to obtain and sell tiger skin because of the high demand in the international market. "Because of the high demand even fake tiger skins and being sold," he said. A special team has been formed to identify those involved in the business. Officials suspect Palanisamy to be part of a racket with international links. An official who was part of the team said that Palanisamy had got the skin from someone in Madurai. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/One-held-for-smuggling-tiger-skin/articleshow/13879834.cms

Three poachers nabbed in Corbett Tiger Reserve

Reported by Tania Saili Bakshi, Written by Amit Chaturvedi | Updated: June 06, 2012 23:29 IST Dehradun: With more than half a dozen tigers killed in less than two weeks in the Corbett National Park, there is at last some good news. In a major breakthrough, three poachers were caught with equipment from within the reserve in a joint operation by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Special Task Force (STF). The poachers were caught during a search exercise. However, five of this eight-member group were able to get away. "We conducted a search operation after reports that a tiger has been killed in the Bijrani range. Three people - Ramesh Bagdi, Giniya Bagdi and Tarachand Bagdi - have been arrested. They belong to Panchkular in Haryana," said SS Sharma, the Chief Wildlife Warden. Also Read E-eye to keep a tab on tigers in Corbett Hunt on for Corbett's wounded tigress Also See 1:43 Govt declares complete silence zone around Corbett Tiger Reserve 1:58 Corbett: Tiger conservation faces issue of protected areas Mr Sharma said that these poachers were living in a rented room. Residents of Chandigarh, they all belong to the Bagdi group, a gang known for its skill in wildlife poaching. "We recovered a few traps and steel chains from them. They were living in the forest for the past 4-5 days. The Forest Department has intensified search and combing operations," he added. The 2012 tiger census reported that the park has 214 tigers. But there were also reports of sudden spurt in the poaching rate, and the department had to face flak because of its failure to stop it. So, they sounded a red alert, and heightened vigil across all the tiger reserves in the state. Heaving a sign of relief, the state Forest Department is now interrogating them to know about their network so that more such poachers can be nabbed and tigers be saved. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/three-poachers-nabbed-in-corbett-tiger-reserve-228283

Cops clueless about suspected poachers gang in Tadoba

TNN | Jun 7, 2012, 01.07AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Forest department has failed to trace a suspected poachers' gang that is reported to have intruded into Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) three days ago. Forest officials have sought the help of police department to investigate the intrusion of a gang inside the tiger reserve. A formal complaint has been filed with Chimur police station asking the cops to look into the matter. A gang of 8-10 people clad in black dresses had intruded from Wamangaon side of TATR into the tiger reserve on Sunday night. The gang was seen by three forest labourers deployed at Wamangaon protection hut in reserve territory. The gang had fled deeper into the reserve jungle. Since then, patrolling, both by vehicles and on foot, has been intensified. However, TATR staffers have failed to trace the gang inside the tiger reserve. Even forest officers are clueless whether they are still inside the reserve or left the jungle. "We have searched the entire territory, but have found no trace of the gang. It is likely that it was gang of thieves which had sought shelter into the jungle. The possibility of them being poachers appears weak but we have not ruled it out," said an official. He said that they have filed a complaint with Chimur police station and sought help of police to investigate into the matter. Chimur PSO Panjabrao Madavi said a complaint about intrusion of the gang was received, but held that no offence had been registered into the matter so far. "We have received the complaint, which has been kept under investigation. We have mobilized our informers and are also checking whether there is anybody, other than protection hut labourers, who had seen the gang," he said. Madavi also pointed out flaws in the forest department's theory of intruders being gang of thieves or robbers. "Thieves are shrewd and usually their hideout is secluded. Such people could have never walked to the protection hut where they were seen by labourers. Moreover, what is point in hiding in the jungle where there is serious threat of being attacked by tigers, sloth bears and other predator?" he said. He held that possibility of gang belonging to poachers is high, still cops are investigating to find any clue about their whereabouts. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Cops-clueless-about-suspected-poachers-gang-in-Tadoba/articleshow/13876065.cms

Tiger believed sacrificed at Corbett

Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times Big cats in some of India’s most well-known tiger reserves are under threat. Around 20 tigers are believed to have died in tiger reserves ranging from Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and Tadoba in Maharashtra to Bandipur in Karnataka — indicating an increase in poaching activity. The remains of a poached animal, which wildlife activists claim was a tiger, was found in Corbett last week. Forest department officials, however, deny their contention, stating that the animal was either a porcupine or a jackal. Nevertheless, the mystery behind the incident lay in the fact that a prayer ceremony was performed at the site before the killing. This was confirmed when forest officials found clothes, an empty box of sweets and ash at the Bijrani range site, deep inside Corbett. Denotified tribes such as Bawarias usually conduct pujas before sacrificing wild animals. “What they left behind was a portion of the small intestine as an offering to the deity. The tiger was skinned, and most of its body parts were taken away,” said Anil Baluni, former chairperson of state environment and forest advisory committee. Ranjan Mishra, director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, denied the claim. “There is a huge difference in the small intestine of tigers and other animals. We are sure that this animal was not a tiger. We have sent the body part for further analysis,” he said. Meanwhile, a red alert has been issued and unpaid forest guards have been placed on round-the-clock patrolling. "We don't have funds, not even to buy fuel for patrol vehicles," a senior official said. As per the 2010 tiger estimation, Corbett landscape had 214 tigers — the highest in the world. However, the open landscape of Corbett provides easy access to poachers, whose activities have intensified recently. About 2,000 km south-west, the Tadoba tiger reserve is facing a similar threat. Wildlife activists have reported the death of around eight tigers in the last few months. The silver lining, however, comes from the fact that Maharashtra has witnessed a 30% jump in tiger population over the last few years. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Tiger-believed-sacrificed-at-Corbett/Article1-866527.aspx

Tiger found dead in MP

PTI | 07:06 PM,Jun 05,2012 Bhopal, Jun 5 (PTI) A tiger was found dead today near Kathotia village about 32 km away from here in the neighbouring Sehore district, forest officials said. The officials suspect that the male tiger, which was about 3-years-old, might have died due to electrocution while roaming in the area. Its carcass was found in two parts, with one portion found on a hillock and another in the nearby bushes, they said. According to forest officials, they had received reports about a tiger as well as a tigress roaming with her cubs in the forest areas adjoining Kervan and Kaliasot dams. The officials had undertaken steps to catch the tiger and had deployed a cage with a bait in the area, even though the efforts had proved futile. The security staff of the National Judicial Academy had spotted the tiger some time back on their campus, but had failed to nab the animal despite efforts. In view of the presence of the tiger in the vicinity of the state capital, forest officials had put up signboards in Kervan, Kaliasot and Kolar areas to warn people, especially those keeping domestic animals, not to venture into the forest areas, they said. Forest officials suspect that the villagers might have cut the body of the dead tiger into two pieces to easily dispose it off. The post-mortem of the animal was conducted in the presence of senior officials, sources said adding that the remains of the tiger would be consigned to flames. PTI MAS NP http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tiger-found-dead-in-mp/1007966.html

Move to set up tiger reserve

SARAT SARMA Nagaon, June 5: Dispur plans to set up a tiger reserve covering 1,050 square km in the eastern Bokajan subdivision of Karbi Anglong district. Four wildlife sanctuaries and five reserve forests will be included in the area, which is connected to Kaziranga. Forest minister Rakibul Hussain told The Telegraph that the plan, which will be implemented in collaboration with the Tiger Foundation of India, also aims at making the area tourism friendly. “We met the leaders of the local autonomous council last Thursday and the department officials were instructed to prepare a detailed project report. We shall have another discussion with forest department officials, representatives from the WWF and Tiger Foundation in Diphu shortly, where the proposed project will be given final shape,” Hussain said. Four wildlife sanctuaries in bordering Bokajan subdivision of the hill district — Garampani, Nambor, Karbi Anglong East and Karbi Anglong North — are known for the various species of animals found there. The WWF had traced the movements of the Royal Bengal tiger, golden cat, clouded leopard and other animals a few months ago. “Our target is to uplift the current ecological condition in the area to make the region favourable for tiger movement,” said the chief conservator of forests Abhijit Rabha. A high-level source of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council said the recent discussion with the forest minister regarding the tiger reserve was held after long study and research. “It is an initiative that might make Karbi Anglong more attractive to tourists. We are designing the tiger reserve project keeping tourism in mind,” the source said. Hussain said Dispur has planned two other important programmes for Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao — one to curb jhum cultivation and the second, a mass plantation scheme. “Farmers involved in jhum cultivation will be centred in an area and involved in some other ways of cultivation. All line departments, including agriculture, forest, DRDA and soil conservation, will be involved,” Hussain said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120606/jsp/northeast/story_15572450.jsp#.T8751dVo2No

38 hotels built in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve's safety zone

CNN-IBN Ranthambore: A blatant violation of the wildlife protection norms and a Supreme Court order has come to light. An RTI query has revealed that as many as 38 hotels and luxury resorts are operating within the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. These are located along the 500 metre safety zone in the park. Ranthambhore is home to 42 tigers and at least 20 cubs as per the last tiger census. "The Wildlife Board has declared that no activity will be allowed in a 1 km radius of the sanctuary and wildlife area. But here there are several hotels which have been built without keeping these guidelines in mind," forest department lawyer MH Kachawa said. The hotels are reportedly allowing tourists, mostly foreigners, to view the tigers from their terrace and from viewing towers. Reports say some hotels throw meat over the fence to lure the tigers out so that tourists can get to see them. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/38-hotels-in-ranthambore-reserves-safety-zone/264544-3.html

Poaching lens on cub death in Sunderbans

TNN | Jun 6, 2012, 04.34AM IST KOLKATA: The Sunderbans faces its first poaching probe since the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) notified new rules last month. The carcass of a two-month-old female tiger cub was found floating near the mangroves on the Raimangal river on Tuesday, creating a flutter in the forests as, according to NTCA rules, all tiger deaths are to be treated as poaching cases until proven otherwise. Officials of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve will now conduct a detailed probe and send the post-mortem and viscera reports to the NTCA. The body was spotted near Jhingakhali by an STR patrolling team. Vet and representatives from World Wildlife Fund and NTCA were called in to assist in the probe. The cub might have died a day or two back. As of now, it is suspected to be a drowning case as water was found in the cub's lungs. Since it was only two months old, it didn't even have teeth," said Joydip Kundu, member, NTCA Schedule I animal handling committee. Acting field director of STR and a joint director of Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Ravi Kant Sinha, told TOI the cub's lungs and stomach had been sent to laboratory for detailed reports. "We are searching the forests of Arbesi and Jhingakhali for the mother and other cubs. Traces of minced food, chewed by its mother, was found in the stomach. There was no injury mark on the body and all the body parts were intact. It seems a natural death by drowning during the high tide," Sinha added. Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas said two to three teams, led by the range officers, have already launched combing operations in the nearby jungles. "They are trying to track the mother. If they notice anything unusual, they will report us immediately." Though Sinha claimed that initial reports have been sent to the NTCA, a senior NTCA official said they are yet to receive any report. "We haven't received any communication from the Sunderbans officials. Unless we receive the detailed reports and are satisfied with those, this tiger death will be treated as an official case of poaching, as mentioned in a recent directive by the NTCA," said S P Yadav, deputy inspector general (DIG), NTCA. Biswajit Roychowdhury of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) said the officials should probe the case properly as Bagna, Kumirmari are vulnerable areas, from where cases of poaching have been reported earlier. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Poaching-lens-on-cub-death-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/13859529.cms

Wildlife Trust of India gives 1L to Bor tiger attack victim kin

TNN | Jun 6, 2012, 01.49AM IST NAGPUR: In a considerate gesture, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), an NGO working for tiger conservation in the country, gave 1 lakh to the kin of a tiger attack victim in Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, 60km from here in Wardha district. Sitaram Wadhve, a permanent forest labourer posted in Pendhri beat of Bor, was mauled to death by a tiger on April 19, in the sanctuary while he was filling a water hole in Chichkhori area. It was assumed that Wadhve, being a daily wage forest labourer (van majoor), would not get welfare benefits from the government. However, WTI has launched unique initiative to provide insurance cover of 1 lakh each to field staff of all the national parks and sanctuaries in Maharashtra. This has come as a succour for Wadhve's family. As Wadhve was covered under the scheme, a demand draft of 1 lakh was handed over to his wife Malti by conservator of forests M S Reddy recently. Assistant conservator of forests Uttam Sawant and WTI manager Prafulla Bhamburkar were also present. Apart from the 1 lakh aid by WTI, Wadhve's family received 2 lakh from Forest Welfare Fund and another 2 lakh is expected towards human kill compensation. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Wildlife-Trust-of-India-gives-1L-to-Bor-tiger-attack-victim-kin/articleshow/13858031.cms

Carcass of tiger cub found at Sundarbans

PTI | 07:06 PM,Jun 05,2012 Sundarbans (WB), June 5 (PTI) The carcass of a three-month-old female tiger cub was found today from a spot near Jhila jungle at Sundarbans tiger reserve. Local fishermen informed the forest department officials after spotting the carcass on the bank of the Roymangal river at Basirhat range of the mangrove forest, officials said. "After carrying out a post-mortem, it was found that the tiger cub drowned in the river after the water level suddenly rose in the river following high tide," Dr Utpalendu Mondal veterinary surgeon of Sundarban Tiger Project said. PTI COR AMD

NTCA to get strict with state forest departments

Neha Shukla, TNN | Jun 5, 2012, 06.48PM IST LUCKNOW: Any tiger death reported from any part of the country will prima-facie be taken as poaching. The latest guidelines issued from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to all the chief wildlife wardens of state forest departments is an effort to make the state governments more accountable. The states were reporting most of the tiger deaths as "natural", so far, thus, washing their hands off of any further investigation. "Poaching calls for more seriousness and accountability on the part of the states," said SP Yadav, joint director, NTCA, New Delhi. After the latest guidelines, "the onus will be on the field directors to prove otherwise," said the official. In case, forest officers fail to prove otherwise, it will be recorded as a case of poaching.The guidelines say, even an intact carcass of tiger or a leopard will be taken as a case of poaching. "Poachers poison tigers when they want an intact tiger skin," said the official. Though census figures show the population of tigers rising all over the country, what cannot be denied is the fact that tigers are highly threatened. Since January 2012, country has lost 36 tigers. Out of which, 16 tiger deaths were reported by way of poaching and seizures, and, for 20 other tiger deaths, cause was not know. UP reported five tiger deaths. A tiger skin was recovered from Najibabad in Bijnore on February 9 and another tiger was found dead in Amangarh in Bijnore on March 7, the cause of the death was not know for this. Meanwhile, two tigers were reported dead in Haripur range of Pilibhit on Friday, a decomposed carcass of tiger was found in Kishenpur sanctuary on Sunday. NTCA, however, wants to accord "utmost seriousness" to tiger and leopard deaths in the country. If a tiger death is classified as occurring due to natural causes, this should be substantiated by adequate field evidence and factual details while reporting to the central authority. Tiger source areas are targeted by poachers and tigers also become victims of non-targeted killings due to man-tiger conflicts. There is need to ensure adequate caution while classifying tiger deaths due to "natural" causes, says NTCA. The area from where tiger death has been reported has to be thoroughly combed to ensure that there are no metal traps or snares at the site. Evidence related to unauthorized vehicular movement, use of fire arms, poisoning near water points, natural salt licks and poisoning of livestock kills made by tiger or leopard needs to be investigated. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/NTCA-to-get-strict-with-state-forest-departments/articleshow/13851528.cms

Suspected poachers' gang intrudes into Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Mazhar Ali, TNN | Jun 5, 2012, 02.12AM IST CHANDRAPUR: Search operations have been stepped up in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) after a gang of suspected poachers intruded into tiger reserve on Sunday night. Three forest labourers posted at Wamangaon protection hut saw the gang but couldn't take them on fearing for their life. Immediately a high alert was sounded in the reserve and buffer area. Since the Gondmohadi poaching incident the TATR and all tiger bearing territories in Chandrapur are on high alert. Everybody on patrol in and around TATR were alerted on Sunday night and all patrolling vehicles in TATR and buffer areas along Palasgaon and Chimur range were diverted to Alizanja area of the reserve to look for the gang which entered the reserve from Wamangaon side during midnight, sources said. Speaking to TOI, field director and CCF, TATR, Virendra Tiwari confirmed the intrusion of unknown people into TATR on Sunday night. "A gang was sighted by van majoors (forest labourers) posted at Wamangaon protection hut. They were eight in number and clad in black dress. The labourers immediately intimated the higher officers," he said. "We are not sure about the motive of their intrusion. It could be a gang of thieves that had moved into jungle for shelter. But, possibility of it being a poachers gang is also not ruled out. We are taking no chances. Intense foot patrolling has also been ordered inside the jungle," said Tiwari. Other officials in forest department claimed that there were three forest labourers at protection hut, while number of intruders was eight. The labourers feared to take on the gang which fled towards Alizanja jungle of Tadoba. Monday was full moon night. Seasoned poachers prefer full moon nights for poaching as visibility is at the highest. No trace of the gang was found till late in the evening. Gondmohadi case: Gothiya couple's hand ruled out Forest officials investigating into Gondmohadi tiger poaching have ruled out the possibility of involvement of poacher family arrested in Chimur in the case. Four poachers including Punnalal Gothiya, his wife and two juvenile sons were arrested with two tortoises a few days back. A team of forest officers from Palasgaon range interrogated the Gothiya couple, who have been remanded to forest custody, and concluded that they have no involvement in Gondmohadi poaching. "We have also checked the call details of Gothiya with the calls that passed from Palasgaon mobile telephone tower. Gothiya's phone number has no mention in telephone record of Palasgaon telephone tower available with us," said a senior officer investigating the Gondmohadi case. Two tigers were poached in Gondmohadi jungle on April 26 and forest department has obtained the phone records from April 25 to 27 that transpired through Palasgaon telephone tower. Investigators suspect that those involved in poaching must have called from their phone from Gondmohadi to their mentors to inform that their bid on tigers failed. Accused Gothiyas have given the address of their village which is near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The forest officials have forwarded their photographs to the DCF in MP to check the record of Gothiyas. Two round officers, 17 guards transferred The TATR management has transferred two round officers and 17 forest guards to rejuvenate protection in reserve. Out of 17 guards, eight have been transferred to Chandrapur forest circle. Remaining nine guards have been shuffled from their present posts to some other place in the reserve. Decision came in wake of suspension of two forest guards from Tadoba range who were found involved in tree felling. Field director Virendra Tiwari confirmed of the transfers. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Suspected-poachers-gang-intrudes-into-Tadoba-Andhari-Tiger-Reserve/articleshow/13829052.cms

Shepherd injured in tiger attack near Bor

TNN | Jun 5, 2012, 02.32AM IST NAGPUR: Over-enthusiasm proved costly for a shepherd when he was attacked by a tiger near Junapani Nala outside Bor Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday evening. According to assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Uttam Sawant, victim Sampat Kowe (55), a resident of Bori village, went too close to the animal in an attempt to show it to a section of tourists returning from Bor sanctuary. The incident took place at 5.15pm. Due to poor wildlife management and failure to create some good resting places in Bor, its resident tigers prefer dense bushy and marshy area outside the sanctuary. The Junapani Nullah is one such hot spot. Many tourists claim to have sighted tigers in the nullah, specially during the summer season. Kowe was trying to show the tiger to some tourists when he was attacked. Sawant said that when Kowe went to close near the animal it charged on him. Kowe escaped with minor injures on leg and hand. The victim was later shifted to a local hospital for treatment. "The spot being outside Bor, we don't have control over it. We had distributed pamphlets to villagers and had made publicity about presence of tigers near the nullah. Besides, on several occasions, Kowe was warned not to venture deep into the nullah but he did not pay heed to our requests," Sawant told TOI. On April 19, Sitaram Wadve, a permanent van majoor posted in Pendhri beat of Bor, was killed by a tigress when he had gone to fill a waterhole near Chichkhori. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Shepherd-injured-in-tiger-attack-near-Bor/articleshow/13829341.cms

Tiger death: Authorities deny poisoning

Lemuel Lall, TNN | Jun 3, 2012, 03.31AM IST BHOPAL: Barely five days after it mauled a man to death, an old tiger Bokha died in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. This has put the authorities in a bind given that this was the second big cat's death in a short span of 20 days in the park. After the 14-year-old Bokha was found dead with injury marks on its body on Friday, the Madhya Pradesh forest department authorities have armed themselves with proof to convince National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that the big cat died due to injuries it sustained in a "territorial fight" and old age. The death has come a couple of days after the NTCA asked the forest departments, across the country, to treat every big cat death as a case of poaching - unless proven otherwise. "The dead tiger did not have a canine tooth but there were bite marks on its left leg and back. On May 27, Bokha at Kushwar village had mauled a man who died after some hours. Since then our staff kept a watch on it," reserve filed director C K Patil told TOI. "Our staffers, from time to time, gave the big cat medicines. It ate two goats on Friday and walked some 4 to 5 km before it slumped near a water body and died," he added. He ruled out the possibility of big cat being poisoned by the nearby villagers to avenge the man's death recently. Bokha had died of injuries and old age and nothing should be read into it, Patil said. "With Bokha's death, we have lost all the old big cats. Last year, tiger B - 2 died," the director said. According to him, one among the two young tigers had attacked Bokha. "These two tigers want to form their territories," he added. He said that they are going to prove to the NTCA that it was a natural death and not a poaching case. Short post-mortem report too states that it was a natural death. "We are going to get the detailed autopsy report on Monday which would be forwarded to the NTCA," Patil said. About the young big cat's death on May 12, he said it too died in a territorial fight. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Tiger-death-Authorities-deny-poisoning/articleshow/13753235.cms

HC seeks reply on tiger task force delay

TNN Jun 3, 2012, 03.34AM IST LUCKNOW: Taking cognizance of three tiger deaths in UP within a week, the high court has asked the Central and state governments to explain why the proposed Special Task Force for protection of tigers in the national parks not been constituted yet. The court has also directed state government to set up the task force before July first week. The court will hear the case in July first week. The order was passed by a division bench of Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice VK Dixit on a PIL seeking directions to the government for constitution of the force. The Central government's counsel told the court that the Centre has released the funds and now the onus is on the state to set up the task force. The idea of setting up a dedicated tiger protection force was mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 5, 2007. Dudhwa, along with 16 tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Bihar was nominated to be manned by the special task force to accord protection to the dwindling population of big cats against rampant poaching. The task force will comprise forest guards and locals. Besides shortage of forest guards, most of them are old too, said sources. Dudhwa, in 2008, was sanctioned one company of 120 trained personnel for STF. The company was to be headed by an assistant commandant, deemed to be at par with an assistant superintendent of police. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was expected to bear the expenses for arms and vehicles for patrolling and other logistics involved. The specialised force was to be recruited by the state home department as per the rules and regulation finalised by the state government and the Centre. Its recruitment and deployment was meant to be confined to man the tiger belt alone. The state government was to make arrangements for training of the personnel and setting up the infrastructural support required. Meanwhile, additional advocate general, UP, Zafaryab Jilani said he would seek instructions from the state government on the issue. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-03/lucknow/32005448_1_tiger-reserves-forest-guards-specialised-force

Palasgaon tiger stable, crying for space

TNN Jun 2, 2012, 03.08AM IST NAGPUR: The Palasgaon tiger, which is undergoing treatment at Seminary Hills nursery, for little over a month is reported to stable and is fast recovering. The full-grown tiger had suffered injuries on left paw and subsequent internal complications after getting entangled in a metal trap laid by poachers near a water hole in Gondmohadi near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve ( TATR) on April 26. It was shifted to Nagpur on April 27. Team of veterinary doctors treating the tiger say the animal is stable and is fast recovering. The tiger's liver functioning is absolutely normal and this has possibly improved its appetite. The urea-creatinine levels, which were high 15 days ago, now are within the range. "Looking at its condition, no medicines are being given to the tiger. For the past eight days, it is consuming around 2.5kg meat," vets said. They added as the injury is deep, the wound on the left paw, which was entangled in the metal trap, may take over two months to heal. The tiger is resisting treatment to the injured leg. However, turmeric powder is being applied to the wound. "The movements of the animal are swift but it is crying for space. If it is shifted in a bigger cage, the recovery will be more fast. There are no chances of the tiger regaining the nails, lost due to trap injuries," sources said. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-02/flora-fauna/31983062_1_team-of-veterinary-doctors-full-grown-tiger-gondmohadi

Tiger found dead in Bandipur

TNN | Jun 1, 2012, 01.52AM IST MYSORE: A tiger was found dead in Mulehole forest area of Bandipur tiger sanctuary In Chamarajnagar district. It was found about 1. 5 km from the forest guest house on the Mysore -Ooty Road. This is the second tiger death reported from Bandipur tiger sanctuary in May and the fourth in a row from Project Tiger areas of Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger sanctuaries in the last couple of months . The last tiger death was reported on May 4 in Bandipur sanctuary itself. While three were said to be natural deaths, one was poached by local hunters who were out to hunt wild boars, but chanced upon a tiger. According to an official source, the aging tiger might have died last week. Its body was highly decomposed. As the paws, nails and teeth were intact, forest officials suspect the big cat may have been killed while fighting with another tiger. Forest officials including Project Tiger director B J Hosmath who rushed to the spot conducted the postmortem of the tiger to ascertain the cause of death. "We conducted the postmortem in the presence of wildlife activists Sanjay Gubbi and Nagaraj Bhat to rule out speculations," Hosmath told The Times Of India ruling out poaching. Hosmath was upset at media claims that the tiger was killed using a jaw trap. "Death of this 7 to 8 year-old-tiger is without doubt due to a natural causes," he pointed out adding that it might have died due to septicemia and starvation . Hosmath said a lacerated hole was found on the head of the tiger and this might have led to septicemia ( blood -poisoning). He said there was not a drop of blood in the tiger's stomach and intestine which shows that the tiger was probably incapacitated due to the wound leading to its starvation. Veterinarian Dr Nagaraj who conducted the postmortem said: " When tigers sustain injuries and are wounded they will not hunt and starve." 20% of tigers die natural deaths In a year 20 to 25% of tigers die naturally . Tiger conservationist Sanjay Gubbi said natural deaths among tigers is a sign of a "healthy population" which indicates that the old are being replaced by the young ones . " Territorial fighting among tigers is a common phenomenon and the young fight with the old tigers to establish themselves," he said , adding that 15 to 20 tigers of Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger sanctuaries die naturally in a year. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Tiger-found-dead-in-Bandipur/articleshow/13694812.cms

Poachers again active in tiger reserves, one cub dies

Pradip Kumar Maitra, Hindustan Times Poachers have struck yet again cocking a snook at the forest personnel and the government. Another big cat - a tiger cub – which was found injured in Chorbauli forest died in Nagpur on Friday. The cub fell victim to suspected poachers in Vidarbha where seven tigers were killed by poachers since January 2012. The five-month cub separated from its mother was found in injured state by some villagers in Chorbauli forest range, adjacent to the Pench Tiger reserves, some 75 kms from here on Thursday morning. They immediately informed the local forest department that led to shift the female cub at Nagpur for treatment. The wild animal sustained serious injuries in many parts of its body after a stray dog attacked it when the cub tried to enter in a forest village on Thursday early morning. PG Thakre, the round officer of Chorbauli forest range, who brought the cub to Nagpur for treatment in a jeep, informed that the villagers noticed the resting big cat in the field of one Siddhilal Chauksey near Mogra village on Thursday early morning. “It was being treated by a team of veterinary doctors since yesterday afternoon. However, the big cat was not responding to the treatment. The cub sustained multiple injuries in different parts of the body,” said Kishore Mishrikotkar, the assistant conservator of forests (wildlife). The condition of the animal, believed to have suffered internal injuries, worsened in the night and it dies on Friday around 6.00 am, Mishrikotkar added. After autopsy, the carcass will be either buried or burnt. Earlier, two tigers were caught in steel traps set by professional tiger poachers in a heart-rending incident that took place in Palasgaon jungle, a buffer zone of Tadoba in Chandrapur district last month. One tiger died and the other has been rescued by the forest department but has serious injuries. “The tiger is now being treated in Nagpur and it is responding to the treatment,” claimed Mishrikotkar. In another shocking incident, the mutilated body of a tiger was found outside the Tadoba tiger reserves last week. Poachers took away the head, paws and vital organs of the tiger, leaving behind a chopped off tail and other body parts stuffed in gunny bags dumped on a state highway. Talking to Hindustan Times, Mishrikotkar informed that a combing operation was launched near Pench tiger reserves after the cub was found in injured state. “We suspected that mother of the cub might have been killed by the poachers and thus it was separated from its mother,” he said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Poachers-again-active-in-tiger-reserves-one-cub-dies/Article1-864619.aspx