Crowded reserves see rise in deaths

With two deaths of tigers recorded within a week in the southern reserves of the State, Karnataka has continued its trend of increasing tiger mortality.

NTCA statistics

Between 2010 and 2016, 76 tigers died of natural causes, infighting or poaching in the State, according to National Tiger Conservation Authority’s statistics. Nearly 75 per cent of these come in and around Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves.

With the increase in tiger populations and densities, the mortality too has inched up in the past few years. In 2014, seven tigers were reported dead in the State. This went up to 15 in 2015, and hit the peak of 17 in 2016 — the highest since NTCA started their ‘Tigernet’ monitoring service.

High tiger density

With over 221 tigers in the two reserves, the Bandipur-Nagarahole tiger complex has a high tiger density of 10 to 15 per 100 sq. km — leading to increased infighting for territory.

“Because of high rates of reproduction, based on an abundant prey base, this population naturally has high mortality and dispersal related losses of nearly 20 per cent per year,” says K. Ullas Karanth, Director for Science-Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society.

A case in point is NHT-133, the tiger that succumbed to its injuries while being shifted for treatment to Bannerghatta Biological Park on January 12 from Bandipur. Camera trap research by WCS had shown the tiger at northern Nagarhole in 2006, and central Bandipur in 2008, following which it was found in an injured state on the peripheries of the national park.

“It appears that the animal was evicted from its territory, possibly following a fight or some other injury suffered through natural violence,” says Mr. Karanth in a technical report on its death.

This is a recurring theme in NTCA’s compilation of tiger deaths in the State.

The Forest Department believes the high tiger density has presented a “difficult situation” with “no solution in sight.”

Increased population

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B.J. Hosmath said the coming years will see the situation worsen due to increased population of tigers and higher human inhabitation.

“Protection measures within reserves have improved tremendously, but there is no practical way of controlling spillover of animals from reserves. Buying out estates between the reserves is very expensive,” he said.