Horses being pushed as baits for problem tigress

Nagpur: Tigers preying on horses have been heard about in Melghat Tiger Reserve, but the problem tigress of Ralegaon in Pandharkawda forest division has been given horses as baits to ease man-animal conflict.
The forest officials have been putting series of baits for the problem tigress and her two cubs. This is being done after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) suggested that the “tigress being encumbered, there shall be heavy nutritional demand for which frequent hunts are expected. Accordingly, series of baits along with fresh meat may be strategically placed to attract the tigers.”

“Considering the history of animal kills by problem tigress, which included horses too, we decided to put them as baits. The tigress killed two horses kept as baits in the last two weeks,” confirmed deputy conservator of forest KM Abharna, Pandharkawda.

Abharna said last time when we put calves as bait the tigress did not prefer them. In January, prior to the last human kill on January 29, the tigress attempting to hunt a horse but when a dog obstructed, it killed the dog. Two days later, the horse was preyed by the big cat. With two cubs along, the tigress in search of easy prey. The horses are being baited considering her feeding cycle,” Abharna said.

Sources said the nomadic tribes living in Pandharkawda tehsil use horses to transport luggage. Some of these horses are being procured for Rs 6000-10,000.

In the meanwhile, NTCA has suggested chemical immobilization of the problem tigress and capture her two cubs physically. In a letter to principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife on March 1, the tiger authority has said that emergency situation has arisen due to straying of tigers in the human-dominated landscape of Pandharkawda.

TOI on February 21, was first to report that the tigress, against whom shoot orders have been issued, had delivered two cubs. These cubs are around two months. NTCA has asked forest officials to handle the situation carefully by using experience-based approach.

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has also taken a serious note of tigress delivering two cubs. It has said that tranquillizing her or taking her away from cubs, will in any way jeopardize the life of cubs. “Necessary consequential steps against said animals shall be taken with due application of mind and with appropriate clearance from PCCF (wildlife),” the court directed.

The presence of two cubs has derailed entire process of capturing the tigress. The forest officials are still grappling with expert vets at the spot and elephants to track the tigress. One elephant brought from Tadoba that reached Pandharkawda is ailing, while unsuccessful attempts are being made to bring another elephant from Tadoba.

“The situation would aggravate in case of another human kill. There have been 10 human kills in the last 19 months in the area,” said wildlife vets ready to be part of the operation.