Failure of authorities to act on an advice for relocating tigers from high density Bandhavgarh reserve to other habitats has allegedly resulted in death of a big cat due to infighting. The carcass of the big cat was recovered by authorities in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, one of the six tiger habitats in Madhya Pradesh, in Umaria district on July 4.
Authorities in Bandhavgarh reserve have mentioned infighting as the reason of death in their first information report sent to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest of Wildlife Madhya Pradesh. "It has been found after seeing surrounding areas (where the carcass was recovered) that the tiger had sustained injuries after fighting with another big cat which has possibly resulted in its death.
There were foot marks of another tiger next to the body," the report by Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve said. After initial investigation, it was noticed that back portion of the tiger had been eaten and there were also marks of canine teeth and claws on its back and neck, it said. Bandhavgarh has 59 tigers, according to 2010 census of the big cats.
The incident took place within 45 days after the Bandhavgarh authorities had brought to the notice of higher ups the need for relocating some of the tigers to other protected areas. As the present density in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is high, it would be better if tigers living within enclosures (demarcated area for the protection of big cats) are moved to other protected areas with less density so that there are less chances of inbreeding, the report by Sudhir Kumar, Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve said.
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