Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve's tigers seek new homes

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve's (RTR) most famous inhabitants are looking to move out, due to overcrowding.

With 74 tigers — including four cubs who will soon need their own territory — the fight for real estate in the Rajasthan reserve is increasing with each passing day. Experts say that the park has already crossed its optimum Tiger Carrying Capacity.

Ranthambhore is spread over 392 sq km. Depending on terrain, the presence of prey and size and age of the tiger, a male specimen needs 50 to 150 sq km to call his own, while a tigress could need 40 sq km to 60 sq km. A tiger's territory typically overlaps the territory of three or four tigresses and that of a dominant male can overlap territories of other males too.

Experts say overcrowding is the prime reason why cubs are either being killed by tigers or being driven out of the forest. The overpopulation is also sparking a fight for survival.

"The cats have crossed into each other's territory and been at loggerheads," says a forest officer, "Such clashes have resulted in the death of the weaker tiger or ended with the younger animal being thrown out of the forest. When a tiger moves out of Ranthambore, it invariably moves towards Karauli or towards Madhya Pradesh. We have observed tigers forming territory in Kuno tiger reserve, in forests of Karauli district and even moving as far as Gwalior."

The migrating tigers face lack of prey and security and become victims of villagers, poachers or calamities such as electrocution and motoring or rail accidents.

An option to move the big cat to the spacious Sariska Tiger Reserve exists. With only 15 tigers roaming over 866 sq km, Sariska certainly does not lack the space to accommodate new wild cats. Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary is another viable option.

"Tigers kept fighting and dying, but the forest department did not think of shifting even a single tiger to Sariska over the past five years," says a former forest officer. "The Empowered Committee had drawn up plans to introduce some into Sariska at regular intervals, but it all came to nought."

The forest official says several cubs have ventured out of the reserve and gone missing, which the department does not acknowledge. "These cats could have been brought to Sariska, a prime tiger habitat that can hold more than double its current numbers," says an officer posted in Sariska.

Recently, the Forest department relocated two tigers into 82 sq km-enclosure in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. A prey is released into the enclosure periodically. "Instead of actually solving the problem, the move has created a new one," said an officer. "Migrating tigers are attacking humans too," an official said.

HABITAT ESSENTIALS

• 74 tigers live in the 392 sq km reserve. Only 15 tigers call 866 sq km of Sarika, home
   
• A tiger needs 50-150 sq km; a tigress can make do with 40-60 sq km