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New tiger and Chandi’s missing cubs debunk WII's 'Jai’s absence' theory


Jai's disappearance, and whether he is alive or dead, is being debated again for two reasons. First, a new male tiger has made Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UKWS) his home, and second, three cubs of popular tigress Chandi too have been missing for the past three months.

Now, wildlife buffs are pointing out that, if alive, the 7-year-old Jai would never have allowed another male to enter his territory, and protected his cubs.

"This raises questions on the arguments by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) that Jai is avoiding UKWS because of seven grown-up males. The new tiger appears to have filled Jai's vacuum," says Roheet Karoo of Wildlife Conservation & Development Centre (WLCDC), Umred. Karoo says this is the tiger captured on camera traps near Jhamkoli forest in South Umred on July 29, where a series of cattle kills were reported. 

"These are after effects of Jai going missing since April 18 from his home range," claimed wildlife lover Mohamad Junaid. 

UKWS officials confirmed the new male was first captured in camera traps on August 2. Pench forest officials suspect the new male tiger came from adjoining South Umred range in Nagpur division, which connects to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). Tourists say it is very shy and avoids vehicles, and seems to be from a no-tourism zone. 

Wildlife photographer Vinit Arora says, "By WII logic, the seven tigers in UKWS should oust the new tiger. But they are avoiding it and moving out in search of territories."

Recently, one of the 2.5-year-old male cubs of Chandi went 15km from the sanctuary in Kuhi range, and attacked a villager. The tiger retreated due to fragmented habitat and disturbances. "So, WII's logic that Jai is avoiding UKWS to avoid conflict with these tigers doesn't hold ground. These were Jai's offspring and are not so powerful as to oust Jai," Arora adds. 

WII scientist Bilal Habib said, "We are trying to establish where the new tiger came from. It is not from Pench, Bor, Brahmapuri or Tadoba. Tiger pictures from Kalmeshwar are also being sought." He added, "New tiger's entry cannot be dubbed as filling Jai's vacuum. This is the time when lot of tigers move, even in Tadoba, which has many big tigers."

However, Jai's absence is also being felt due to his three cubs going missing. Tourists claim that in Jai's absence, wild dogs have become dominant, and may have attacked the young cubs.




"Currently, only one six-month-old cub is being sighted with Chandi. The cubs are not independent and expected to be with the mother. But the cubs may be hiding in dense vegetation," said forest officials seeking anonymity.


However, Junaid says camera traps are installed in the sanctuary and officials cannot give such vague replies. "What happened to the cubs should be investigated. Small cubs cannot live away from the mother for three months," he said.


http://www3.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/New-tiger-and-Chandis-missing-cubs-debunk-WIIs-Jais-absence-theory/articleshow/53918713.cms?&akamaiorigincheck=www1 Reply