Wildlife authorities have failed to locate tigress ST-5, missing since three months now. This despite an extensive search operation launched using camera traps. Wildlife officials say they are scanning a million photographs but have not got any clue about the tigress yet.
It raises concerns about the safety of tigers in Sariska from where they were wiped out by poachers a decade ago. Tigers were translocated here from Ranthambore thereafter. Some of them have bred successfully ever since.
But a few months ago, a tiger was killed after being caught in a trap laid by a farmer who said he was aiming at blue bulls instead.
In Ranthambore too, traps have been detected and some tigers have been found dead under mysterious circumstances.
At both places, the issue of safety has risen after the government relaxed the number of tourists and their stay in the forest substantially.
Some wildlife activists allege that high tourist presence is forcing tigers to stray out, thus becoming an easy prey for poachers. But officials insist that there is no substantial evidence to point at poaching. Pro-tourist lobby says that tourists help to man the forests better.
Yet another lot of wildlife lovers point out that by shifting less dangerous tigers like T 24 to a zoo, the government has taken away the fear associated with tiger habitats and will have to pay a heavy price for it. india today
