MP minister's kin car hit Tigress in Bandhavgarh

This case has yet again alarmed us all on how we treat our animals. The news is pathetic but not surprising at all !

Many of you might have been witnesses to the hooliganism of a section of tourist operators that have been growing like a cancer in parks like Bandhavgarh. In February 2007 we were witness to such a case when a speeding vehicle of a 'well-known' resort-wala was about to run over a wild boar family while on the way to spot a Tiger that was sighted by another group of vehicles and was conveyed over cellphones. In addition to this a 'naturalist' representing another resort was found giving mock-calls to distract a Tiger cub from its mother for closer photo opportunities. We had lodged a complaint with park authorities to take necessary actions.

Tourism can never be harmful for wildlife but tourist-mafias are real threats. Setting up & enforcement of stringent laws to crub this expanding menace must be rolled out at any cost, before more damages are caused.

But who will bell the cat (read mafias) is a question even bigger!

MP minister's kin car hit Tigress in Bandhavgarh

In a new twist to the controversy over the death of a Tigress in Bandhavgarh Reserve, TOI learns the incident occurred after a vehicle hit the wild cat. Sources confirmed that the vehicle that hit the Tigress was allegedly owned by a resort run by PWD minister of MP, Nagendra Singh.

A close relative of the minister's son was in the vehicle when it inadvertently hit the Tigress. Park officials have detained three vehicles. A tourist had told TOI that the death happened due to a collision with a vehicle. Naresh Kadyan, master trainer of Animal Welfare Board of India and a representative of International Organisation for Animal Protection in India, has issued notice to the chief wildlife warden of MP under section 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

He has also demanded the sacking of the minister. Kadyan claims that it was Singh's son who was in the vehicle that dashed against the Tigress.

"Officials are trying to hush up the matter," he said from Delhi. "The minister's son and others have violated the law. Yet the police failed to lodge an FIR against them for violation of section 9, read with 51 of Wildlife Protection Act along with section 428-429 of IPC specifying criminal conspiracy against wild animals or any relevant legislations. The chief wildlife warden has failed to perform his duties."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/MP-ministers-kin-car-hit-tigress-in-Bandhavgarh/articleshow/5955969.cms

Is this a reason to cheer up or be distressed thinking about the future of the 3 cubs ?

We had photographed the above cub at Guda in Ranthambhore N.P in April 2008 when they were approx 6-8 months old & were probably the only ones to have been able to photograph one of the two present feeding on a wild boar.

Reportedly the cubs were untraceble soon after the mother surprisingly disappeared. Was the disappearance courtesy the villagers living adjacent to the Guda area, remains a mystery like always!

With shrinking of habitats looming large over the fate of Tigers, is this news from Panna really a reason to be joyful or be an alarm ?

Tigress gives birth to three cubs in Panna reserve

In a major boost to efforts to revive Tiger population, a translocated tigress has for the first time given birth to three cubs in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna reserve, where the big cats had disappeared.

The Tigress, translocated from Bandhavgarh in the state to Panna in March last year after the reserve lost its Tiger population, has given birth to three cubs, Panna Reserve Field Director R. S. Murthy told PTI today.

The cubs were believed to be 20 days old and were spotted by forest officials when the Tigress was taking them out of her den. “The Tigress and its three cubs are in fine condition,” he said.

It is for the first time that a translocated Tigress has given birth in the country. Two Tigresses and a Tiger were translocated to Sariska in Rajasthan in 2008 after it lost its Tiger population but the animals have not been able to breed till now. There were reports that the Tigers brought from Ranthambhor could be siblings.

Panna reserve, which had more than 30 big cats four years ago, lost all its Tigers by last year following which two tigresses-one from Bandhavgarh and another from Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh - were translocated there on March 6 and March 9, 2009 respectively.

A Tiger from Pench reserve was also translocated on November 14.

In more good news from Panna, officials said that the second translocated tigress could also be expecting.

Security has been beefed up in the area and entry of tourists banned for the safety of the Tigers. “We will not allow tourist entry into the region to ensure safety of the Tigress and its cubs,” Mr. Murthy said.

Officials were Tight-lipped over the location of the Tigress due to security reasons. Panna reserve is spread over an area of 543 sq km in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of eastern Madhya Pradesh.

“The cubs have opened their eyes. This development usually takes place after 10 days of birth,” Mr. Murthy said.

The translocated Tiger had disappeared on November 26 and it was only after much effort that it was brought back to the park on December 25 last year.

The Tiger has now settled in the new environs in Panna and this is evident from the birth of the three cubs, an official said.

The government has plans to relocate six Tigers in all in Panna.

Courtesy : http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article425535.ece