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Bigcats News
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Tamil Nadu to get fifth Tiger Reserve
If everything goes well, Tamil Nadu will soon get its fifth tiger reserve that will include the Megamalai wildlife and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel sanctuaries and Varushanadu Valley in Theni district. While the proposal was formulated by the previous UPA regime, the NDA government has reiterated its commitment to declare the tiger reserve. In all, one tenth of the 46 tiger reserves in the country is in Tamil Nadu. Minister of state (Independent charge) for environment, forests and climate change, Prakash Javadekar in a written reply to Parliament last week said the state government has been advised to send a proposal for declaring the region as a tiger reserve. "Financial and technical help is provided to the state government under various centrally sponsored schemes, such as Project Tiger and Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure for providing effective protection to wild animals," the minister said. Following an in-principle approval by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the state created the fourth tiger reserve in Sathyamangalam in Erode district in October last year. The forest department is said to have recorded 18 big cats then. Thanks to Project Tiger, the tiger conservation measures helped the state boast of 163 big cats in 2011. The population was 53 in 1998-99. A survey by the forest department in Srivilliuputhur and Megamalai last year put the tiger population at 10 in the region. Well-known ecologist and National Tiger Conservation Authority member Dr A J T John Singh said a management plan was available for the fifth tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu. "The state government is keen on the project and the administration is pushing for it," he told, while admitting how the tiger reserve could help prevent human disturbance and enrich the biodiversity. "With the Centre's funding, we can implement protection measures, including engaging additional staff and buying equipment," he said. T S Subramaniam of Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam, an NGO, said unchecked encroachments in the form of settlements in Megamalai and Varushanadu had led to poaching and tree-cutting as well. "If the area is declared Tiger Reserve, encroachments should be checked first," he said. The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary in Srivilliputhur is located adjacent to Periyar Tiger Reserve in the southwest and Megamalai Reserve Forests to the northwest. Falling in the range of Cumbum West and Uthamapalayam, the sanctuary nestles in the high ranges of Western Ghats. "Several meetings were held to push for the fifth Tiger Reserve. Besides Sivagiri, a proposal is also in the anvil to include three other forest ranges in Tirunelveli district," said a senior forest official, seeking anonymity. Talks are on with 147 villages in the region, about the need for a Tiger Reserve. Tiger conservationists are concerned about the high number of tiger deaths in recent months. Tamil Nadu tops the list with seven deaths this year, while five deaths are still under investigation. Ajay A Desai, a consultant with the WWF India, said the emerging man-made disturbances like laying of roads, railways, mining and hydel power stations should be kept off the forests.[/font][/color] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...270838.cms 
There are obvious mistakes with the tiger distribution map in #313, they have Japan and all of Southeast East Asia and Taiwan and even New Guinea as tiger territory. That is very wrong to put it mildly, they obviously didn't bother to do research.
(08-01-2014, 06:13 PM)'Richardrli' Wrote: There are obvious mistakes with the tiger distribution map in #313, they have Japan and all of Southeast East Asia and Taiwan and even New Guinea as tiger territory. That is very wrong to put it mildly, they obviously didn't bother to do research. So no tiger fossils ever been found on the above mentioned areas ? 
Fossils of a smaller subspecies have been found been in Japan, Borneo, and the Phillipines. Never heard of a New Guinea population though.
Decomposed body of a 5-6 year old tiger found in the Tala range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh today morning (August 6, 2014)
This is the fifth tiger death reported from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve this year. While it has been concluded that one of these casualties has been due to infighting, the cause of the other deaths is being investigated. http://newshence.com/tiger-found-dead-in...serve.html The Tiger SafariYesterday · EditedSo its confirmed, that our beloved tigress is no more. After this, future of her 3 cubs will be in jeopardy. A big loss for Bandhavgarh. RIP #Kankati 2007- August 2014. #Bandhavgarh — at The Tiger Safari.  *This image is copyright of its original author Very tragic news about Kankati and her cubs.
"Tigerwalah Two cubs found dead only one cub found alive which is now in care of forest department."
Looks like only one cub is left. On a side note, one I saw one of the replys on a page and it said "where she lives is fenced off and tiger population is growing with nowhere for the tigers to go." If this is true, What makes these reserves think its ok to fence off tiger habitat? This is horrible for a population and introduction of new bloodlines. I really hope Bandhavgarh and any other reserve in the world doesn't continue this approach. Conservation is not imprisonment, if they want to stop poachers, go out and find them. The gov't should alocate the means needed to do so. (Sorry for the rant)  *This image is copyright of its original author "The death of the breeding tigress 'Kankati' in BTR has left me devastated. Though the autopsy report is yet to come, it seems that she was killed by some unknown tiger a couple of days before. The search for her cubs is on." Deepak Talan "Every bad happening has one positive aspect. The death of Kankati, though, is irreparable, but we can make a very positive use of this situation. Why the authorities can't bring a young tigress in uterus from some other park and rehabilitate her in Chakradhara Territory, which has become empty now. This step will bring fresh blood in Bandhavgarh tigers who need it badly. The years of interbreeding is showing its effects on Bandhavgarh tigers, who, from time to time, suffer from unexplainable diseases. Also, the lack of vigor is observed among Bandhavgarh tigers. The interexchange of tigers is the need of time. This will be the best tribute to 'Kankati."
How do you feel about them resueing the remaining cub?
Do you think they should of intervined or not? I am torn, just because I have seen quite a few male tigers who have shown to be great fathers. Wonder if the cub was better left on its own. Either way, very tragic news, but would much rather see a natural death than a poached death. (08-08-2014, 02:13 AM)'Pckts' Wrote: How do you feel about them resueing the remaining cub? The 3 (2 dead and 1 alive) cubs were found near a chital kill and there is no signs of their father. Generally tigresses with cubs stick to areas within the territorial boundaries of the male who sired her cubs. This will provide several advantages for the female raising her cubs. Thats why females prefer resident males in general. But Jobhi, the father of these cubs was no where to be found where Kankatti raised them. With raging male tigers like Pushparaj, there is always danger around the corner. So IMO the officials did the right thing by rescuing that cub. I feel its right to rescue that cub provided it will be rewilded. Eventhough tiger numbers are high at Bandhavgarh, they are still an endangered species. There are many reserves where this cub after it grows can be relocated and rewilded. Thats my personal take on this incident.
Tibetan links to Bhandara tiger poachers emerge
As Bhandara forest officials are try to hide facts about it, has learnt that the tiger skin and body parts seizure case has turned murkier. It appears local poachers are having global links. Bhandara DFO Vinay Thakre did not respond to calls made to him. However, official sources admitted that call detail record (CDR) of kingpin Vikas Maraskolhe of Davezari in Tumsar prove links with a Tibetan tiger skin trader. Besides, CDR also found cell number of dreaded Baheliya poacher Keru Chhiyalal Rajgond, who is absconding. The forest officials, who were initially sloppy when the case was exposed on July 27, are on the toes after the CDR report and now trying to ensure prime poachers and traders do not get bail. Nine accused were already remanded to magisterial custody (MCR) by JMFC, Bhandara, due to poor prosecution case. "On Monday we appointed Kartik Shukul, who is fighting poaching cases here, as special counsel to plead our case in Bhandara," said the senior forest officials. The forest department on Monday opposed bail to three main accused Vikas Maraskolhe, retired revenue department surveyor Kavish Bomanwar (Deori), and Manoj Mahajan (Nagpur). Mahajan is said to be practising witchcraft and used to finance the tiger body parts trade.Shukul argued that the investigation was at a nascent stage and considering the heinous nature of the offence, bail ought to be rejected. He further contended that given the positions of the accused in this illegal syndicate, there was every likelihood of the accused tampering with witnesses and evidence. The gang's national links had already been bared and now their international links needed to be exposed.The officials have already seized tiger skin from Maraskolhe. Later, five tiger nails and chinkara and deer trophies were also seized during a raid at his house in Davezari. Chinkara is Schedule I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The nails are said to be of different tiger brought from Khawasa interstate border.It is not clear whether Maraskolhe knew Keru but the Tibetan tiger skin trader seems to be knowing both, Maraskolhe and Keru.Keru is wanted by the CBI in a 2009 poaching case and also by the state forest department for killing two tigers in Umred and Brahmapuri. He had escaped arrest from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh last year. His brother Ajit, who was also involved, was arrested and is now lodged in Central Jail here.Sources said Maraskolhe acted as a collection agent. The skin seized from him was of a tiger from Odisha. It was poached by one Hanumanthu. He was asked by Mahajan to give the skin to Bomanwar from where Tanne Khan of Dongargadh procured it and finally landed with Maraskolhe. He was also to procure a tiger bone from one Deochand Avtare. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...813563.cms
27 tigers in Tadoba-Nagzira corridor, says study
Most of the conservation effort in tiger range countries is concentrated on a few, relatively large protected areas (PAs) but it is high time governments focused on forests outside the PA network, especially in Central India. "India supports largest proportion of the global wild tiger population but has less than 7% of global tiger habitat, most of which is fragmented. Tigers once occupied over 90% of Indian subcontinent but within the last century their range has been estimated to have reduced by nearly 76%," says a study conducted by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on 'Assessing tiger distribution and the factors influencing tiger occupancy in Tadoba-Nagzira corridor 2014'. "The study was conducted with the support of state chief wildlife warden and a final report will be submitted soon. The study conducted last year recorded presence of 27 tigers in the Nagzira-Tadoba corridor, with most of the individuals concentrated in Brahmapuri division adjoining Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)," said executive director of WTI Rahul Kaul. Kaul said camera trapping was mostly concentrated in Brahmapuri due to limited resources. This involved camera trapping on cattle kills, waterholes and frequently used trails.All 27 individual tigers were identified in addition to tiger-cubs and photographed at three different locations. The data show that several adults captured were previously photographed when they were cubs. Three tigers dispersed or moved between Brahmapuri and TATR buffer."This is not in conjunction with the theory that areas outside Tadoba are just sinks. It shows areas outside PAs were also supporting breeding tigers," said Kaul. Prafulla Bhamburkar, Aditya Joshi, Vivek Tumsare and Rajendra Mishra were part of the study conducted last year."The aim of this study was to generate baseline data on distribution of tigers, the anthropogenic factors influencing tiger occupancy and habitat connectivity across one of the most important corridors in Tadoba-Nagzira," said Kaul. The study detected tiger presence outside PAs but also showed that as the distance from source PAs increased, the presence decreased. The major factors influencing tiger occupancy in Tadoba-Nagzira corridor were presence of large prey species, disturbance, proportion of tiger habitat and livestock. Circuitscape results show critical areas for restoration in order to strengthen this corridor. With appropriate actions, this corridor has potential to not only facilitate tiger movement but also support resident tiger populations. Study points out that knowledge of tiger occupancy outside PAs should be adequate. Such data allow identification of new habitats with potential for tigers and could potentially help in upgrading the legal protection status of these areas. Accurate estimates of various population parameters are important for management and conservation; and strengthen the argument for protecting the remaining potential habitats. Periodic monitoring of animal populations helps in setting specific management objectives and monitoring the success of conservation programme. Surveys of large landscapes can help identify habitat corridors, status of connectivity between source populations and routes used by dispersing tigers. Threats to Tiger corridor * Thinning & degradation: After fragmentation, major but highly underestimated threat to the corridors is the thinning of the forests, further leading to degradation. * Fuel-wood extraction: Main cause of forest-thinning. Local communities are highly dependent on forests for fuel-wood. Camera trap images reveal large quantities of wood are transported on bicycles almost daily. * Bamboo extraction: It also leads to thinning. Large quantities of bamboo are extracted to make bamboo-mats. These mats are then collected by a dealer at the rate of about Rs 150/mat. They are mostly used to make house-compounds. * Forest Fires: Man made fire leads to immense destruction and wipes out undergrowth. These fires are set in the summer season and make it difficult for wildlife to survive. * Monoculture: Several reserve forests have been given on lease to FDCM. Several areas where working of the FDCM is carried out are the areas used by tigers. It is high time new roles should be given to the FDCM, which will help meet conservation goals. * Roads & Railways: With several villages being connected with metalled-road, there has been an increase in vehicular traffic even in the remote forest areas leading to regular wild animal deaths. * Dams & Canals: Human (Uma) river is one of the tributaries of the Wainganga passing through TATR-Brahmapuri corridor. Human will wipe out tiger corridor. Gosikhurd has cut the corridor. * Hunting: Killing herbivores poses a continuous threat. Snares are set regularly for catching hare and nets are used to catch wild-pig. These activities go unnoticed. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...189620.cms (08-08-2014, 04:55 PM)'Apollo' Wrote:(08-08-2014, 02:13 AM)'Pckts' Wrote: How do you feel about them resueing the remaining cub? I think it was Pushparaj who is the culprit. He had already had a spat with her and he is actively searching for more territory. He is also young so I dont think he understands why not to kill a female and just kill her cubs, but maybe she never gave him a chance. She was a very aggressive tiger. Either way, I think I agree with you. Would love to see this guy be raised and rereleased in a another reserve. |
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