(IN): Tigers settle down in new Sariska home

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Link:

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080055478 & ch=7/3/2008%\

2012:03:00%20PM

 

*Tigers settle down in new Sariska home*

 

 

Harsha Kumari Singh

Thursday, July 3, 2008 (Jaipur)

Scientists who helped relocate a tiger from Ranthambore to Sariska are happy

with the big cat's progress. The four-year-old male tiger who was airlifted

from Ranthambore, is reported to be settling down.

 

In the past five days, he has made two kills and also appeared to be in a

mood to stalk other prey - a clear sign that he's not homesick or moping.

 

And officials say they will soon release him from the one hectare enclosure

that he is currently being kept in.

 

After poaching wiped out Sariska's big cat population, the Rajasthan

government with the wildlife institute of India launched an ambitious

project to repopulate Sariska.

 

If the tiger settles down, this would be the first time in the world that a

successful tiger relocation would have been achieved.

 

Codenamed T-10, this tiger has made conservation history by being relocated

from Ranthambore to Sariska. The young male has passed the first few

critical days in Sariska without any major signs of distress and in a sign

that he is fighting fit.

 

He hunted down two deer that were released into his enclosure and roared in

the jungle to make his presence felt.

 

''The tiger has roared and that is a good sign as he alerts other animals by

the call. Also since Sariska has a large Sambhar population, the tiger

should settle here as his prey is available in large numbers and he has

carried out a kill,'' says Pratap Singh Singhvi, Forest Minister, Rajasthan.

 

But wildlife experts are still wary of declaring the project a success,

especially since tigers are extremely territorial animals and have a strong

homecoming instinct which may even prompt this tiger once he is released

from this enclosure - in which he is now being kept - to head back towards

Ranthambore.

 

''Just 10 per cent of the work has been achieved by getting him out of the

fence and watching how he likes the new area. There is always this homing

instinct of the animal. Even if he has come back by helicopter he may want

to go back to where it came from,'' says V P Singh, Chairman, Wildlife Task

Force.

 

But wildlife lovers are keeping their fingers crossed if the tiger settles

down. This would be the first time in the world that a successful tiger

relocation would have been achieved.

 

 

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