A deadly virus is stalking the big cats, but the State Forest department is yet to wake up to the warning.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) has reportedly affected tigers in the northern and eastern parts of the country, killing two cubs in Patna Zoo, a couple of months ago.
Fifty direct sightings reported during the recent census
increasing tribe? The sighting of cubs with mother in various forests during this time, according to the officials, indicates the presence of breeding tigers.
With more than 50 direct sightings reported in the Karnataka tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries during the National Tiger Census, 2013, the Forest department believes that the population of big cats is on the rise in the State due to successful conservation measures.
The second phase of the tiger enumeration exercise will commence in the first week of January and entail camera-trapping of tigers and leopards in Bandipur.
The first phase of the census concluded on Monday with the volunteers dispersing after six days of data collection pertaining to carnivores, herbivores, and the surrounding vegetations at Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra, Anshi-Dandeli, and other reserve forests.
As many as 371 tigers have died in the country in the past five years — 119 of which were victims of poaching, a report published on the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) website state
Move to check influence by VIPs to accommodate their candidates
Increased interest in wildlife has seen a rush of volunteers to count big cats. The National Tiger Census 2013, commencing on Wednesday at Bandipur and Naghole tiger reserves, has drawn enthusiastic volunteers in their droves.
Stage is set for the All India Tiger Census a quadrennial event where not only the big cats (tigers) are counted even the other carnivores and herbivores in the parks along with habitat is surveyed
The last survey had identified 100 tigers in the 1,200-sq km Bandipur Tiger Reserve
As many as 700 people have volunteered for the most-awaited tiger census to be conducted across all tiger reserves and protected forest areas in south India.
Mysore/Bandipur: The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has managed to end the menace of major poachers, but is now facing the threat of nomadic tribes from North India. These tribes have pitched camp on the forest periphery and are targeting tigers.
The wildlife expert committee constituted by the Kerala government to study animal behaviour and gather scientific data on use of roadside space by animals has not been able to commence its works w
deserted: The houses built for Special Tiger Protection Force have no takers.
A residential complex constructed at a cost of Rs one crore exclusively for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), the squad created to prevent wildlife crimes, in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve has been abandoned by the Forest Department due to ‘water scarcity.’
