B2 and Other Great Tiger Pics from India

[Roflcopters]

Wildlife Institute of India collars two male cubs of Choti Tara and Matkasur.

NAGPUR: The wildlife wing of the state forest department radio-collared two more male tigers in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on Saturday and Sunday.

The two 26-month-old tigers, litter of Chhoti Tara of Jamni, were collared by scientist Bilal Habib and Dr Parag Nigam from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, in the presence of chief wildlife warden AK Misra. One cub was collared at 5pm on Saturday, while the other was collared at 11 am on Sunday.

Misra confirmed the radio-collaring of tigers is part of ‘Long-term monitoring of tigers, co-predators and prey species in TATR and adjoining landscapes’ project.“Both the young males may disperse any time and hence were fit candidates for collaring. Earlier, collared tigers from Tadoba have reached Navegaon-Nagzira and Umred-Karhandla. These males will also tell us movement pattern and help us take right decisions,” said Misra.Maharashtra government in 2013 had cleared the Rs1.64 crore project for collaring tigers, to be implemented by the WII on 70:30 cost-sharing basis between state government and National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA).

With the collaring of the two, overall 13 tigers have been collared in the last four years. Till now, six Tadoba tigers have been collared. These include Chhoti Tara, Gabbar, two cubs of Chhoti Tara, a male and female from Kolsa (Shivanzari).Earlier, under a separate project titled ‘Studying dispersal of tigers across eastern Vidarbha landscape’, jointly implemented by the WII and the forest department, four tigers — Jai, his siblings Bittu & Sriniwas, and a male and problem tigress from Bramhapuri — were collared. Besides, two problem tigresses that were captured and released in Bor reserve and Chaprala sanctuary were also collared.
When contacted, Habib said, “The two Chhoti Tara cubs are male. Soon they will have to move out of Tadoba as there is no vacancy. Earlier, collaring data has helped us know connectivity and threats tigers face from linear projects in the entire Tadoba landscape.” “The collars fitted are hi-tech and will be dropped off once the tigers settle down. It was due to collaring only we could trace culprits involved in electrocuting Sriniwas, Chaprala and Bor tigresses. Besides, it has helped in knowing which paths these tigers use and what measures need to be taken to protect them,” the WII scientist said.



looks like Tadoba is preparing for their departure, long live Chota Matka and Tarachand. let’s hope these boys stay safe and maybe return someday to rule the core.


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