The Maharashtra forest department is gearing up for a project to reintroduce tigers into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in the Western Ghats.
Reasons for Translocation:
- Revive tiger population: The Sahyadri Reserve currently has no tigers. Reintroduction aims to establish a breeding population and restore the ecological balance.
- Strengthen connectivity: The project aims to create a tiger corridor connecting STR with other tiger habitats in the Western Ghats, enhancing long-term survival.
Source of Tigers:
- Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district is the frontrunner for providing tigers for translocation.
- Initial phase might involve a single male or a male-female pair.
- Later stages could see tigers from Pench Tiger Reserve being introduced.
Selection Process:
- Healthy tigers: Only healthy tigers with good hunting skills will be chosen for translocation.
- Age considerations: Tigers of appropriate age for establishing territories and breeding will be prioritized.
Translocation Method:
- Soft release: Tigers will be captured in TATR, tranquilized, transported, and placed in an enclosure within STR.
- Monitoring: The tigers will be monitored closely in the enclosure to ensure they adapt to the new environment before full release.