The increased tiger population in the three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the last census is seen as the result of better conservation efforts. But now, some of the tiger reserves and sanctuaries in these regions are facing increased threat from the poacher gangs, which were until now very much active in other parts of the country.

After the recent arrest of a poaching gang near the BRT Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and the arrest of an Odisha native from Muthanga in Kerala for allegedly entering the forest region without permission, officials now suspect that hardcore tiger poachers and gangs are shifting their focus to the southern part of the country,