Birth of tiger cubs in Kailadevi points to space crunch in wildlife habitats

The birth of two tiger cubs in the Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary of Rajasthan's Karauli district, while it has brought cheer to wildlife enthusiasts, also points to the space crunch in wildlife habitats that is forcing the big cats to move out of the main area of Ranthambhore National Park on their own.

Tigress T-92 was spotted with two cubs, both about three-and-a-half-month old, at Ninder Ki Khoh near Mandrayal last week. The tiger cubs have been born in Kailadevi after nearly three decades. The four-and-a-half-year-old T-92 and male T-72, also known as Sultan, with whom it mated, are among the four tigers who have moved from Ranthambhore to Kailadevi.

Forest authorities said the overpopulation of tigers in Ranthambhore National Park has led to territorial disputes, because of which the big cats are making frequent movements to the adjacent Kailadevi wildlife reserve, which has a size of 676 sq. km. T-72 migrated from Sultanpur area of Ranthambhore to Mandrayal when it was threatened by another tiger.

The area of new births comprises scrub forest having isolated water sources and is surrounded by villagers and livestock settled in isolated pockets. Located in the Vindhya hill zone, the wildlife reserve has a rocky terrain with slopes, ravines and cave-like depressions, all covered with scanty shrubs and bushes. The banyan and peepal trees offer huge shade and shelter to tigers.

A Ranthambhore tigress has given litter outside the main national park area for the first time. Kailadevi’s area has been officially included in about 400 sq. km area of Sawai Madhopur district’s Ranthambhore to develop it as a national park with more than 1,000 sq. km area.

Tourism and Wildlife Society of India honorary secretary Harsh Vardhan said here on Tuesday that the migration of tigers was a “clear indication” that Ranthambhore lacked the basic support system for being administered as a designated tiger reserve. The national park had insufficient forest staff, he said.

However, the birth of tiger cubs in Kailadevi has proved that tigers can live along with villagers and their livestock in a habitat that did not offer much of the natural prey base of sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, etc., said Mr. Vardhan. “As Ranthambhore's main area is unable to accommodate newborn cubs, tigers are exploring new places for their families,” he said.

Earlier this month, Ranthambhore’s male tiger T-91 was relocated to the protected Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota district. The tiger was exploring new territories and living in the peripheral forests near Bundi for the last few months.