Disappearance of 25 tigers from India’s Ranthambore National Park

Times of India states that the reported disappearance of 25 tigers from India’s Ranthambore National Park has raised significant concern and prompted an official investigation. Ranthambore, known for its vibrant tiger population, estimated at around 75, has struggled with issues such as overcrowding, territorial fights, and potential poaching. The Rajasthan government has formed a three-member committee to probe the situation, aiming to address potential mismanagement and protect the remaining tiger population. This inquiry will assess whether these tigers have migrated, faced harm, or are unaccounted for due to record-keeping lapses.

Comment: The Indian government is proud of its tiger conservation programme. The problem is that it is an uphill struggle to protect the tiger in the wild in India because of the continuing increase in the human population of India. Here are some facts on that. Also the Indian authorities are not known for their efficiency. The disappearance of tigers in a main tiger reserve indicates poor management.

India's population has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, adding over 100 million people. In 2011, the Indian Census reported a population of approximately 1.21 billion, while recent 2023 estimates indicate it now stands around 1.428 billion, surpassing China's population to make India the most populous country globally.

As India’s demographic profile evolves, its relatively youthful population also stands out, with over 40% under the age of 25, which has significant implications for the country’s workforce and economic potential in coming decades.

Sources: Pew Research Center, World Data, and Our World in Data.

More people equates to more pressures on wildlife. Tigers need huge areas in which to live. The typical home range of a Bengal tiger varies significantly based on factors such as habitat type, prey availability, and population density.

1. Range by Gender:

   • Male Bengal Tigers: Males generally have much larger ranges than females, often between 60 to 100 square kilometers (around 23 to 39 square miles). In some cases, depending on prey density and competition, a male's territory can exceed 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) in more open or resource-scarce areas.
   • Female Bengal Tigers: Females have smaller ranges, typically between 20 to 60 square kilometers (about 8 to 23 square miles). Their ranges often overlap with those of their cubs and sometimes with the territories of related females, allowing for social cohesion among relatives.

2. Influence of Habitat and Prey Density:

   • In prey-rich environments, like certain parts of India's Kanha or Kaziranga reserves, Bengal tigers can sustain themselves in smaller ranges since prey is abundant. Here, a male might have a range of around 20 to 60 square kilometers, and females even less.
   • In less prey-dense or fragmented habitats, Bengal tigers require larger territories to access sufficient food, leading to ranges extending beyond 100 square kilometers.

3. Human Encroachment and Conservation Areas:

   • In protected areas such as Ranthambore and Sundarbans, conservation efforts help to maintain tiger habitats, but human encroachment and resource competition may lead to changes in their range. For instance, in the mangrove-rich Sundarbans, Bengal tigers are reported to have more constrained ranges due to the unique terrain and availability of prey, typically around 20-30 square kilometres.

Bengal tiger home ranges are dynamic, influenced by ecological factors and conservation measures aimed at preserving their natural habitats.

Sources:

• National Geographic and Panthera reports on tiger range and behavior
• Research studies from Wildlife Institute of India and WWF

Ranthambore National Park, located in Rajasthan, India, covers an area of approximately 392 square kilometers (about 151 square miles). The park is part of a larger conservation area, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, which spans around 1,334 square kilometers (515 square miles), including surrounding sanctuaries such as the Sawai Mansingh and Keladevi Sanctuaries.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.