Tigers spotted at mdapha

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, April 17: Three tigers have been spotted at mdapha Tiger Reserve (NTR) during a recent tiger estimation and monitoring expedition using camera trapping exercise. The exercise was taken between March 2 and April 14 last, NTR Field Director Dusu Shra informed in a communiqué here today.

Officials of mdapha Tiger Reserve Magement Authority fixed 20 cameras at different locations covering an area of about 44 Sq. Km in which three adult tigers have been captured in cameras along with hundreds of leopards, clouded leopards, wild dogs and Asiatic golden cat. Besides, ample numbers of scats were collected which have been sent to WII for alysis, giving more hope about presence of tigers. mdapha Tiger Reserve was long in the limelight for negative reasons as there was no concrete evidence of tiger presence since most of the tigers were reportedly elimited during 90’s.

Camera trapping exercise carried out during 2012-13 by the mdapha Tiger Reserve Magement Authority in collaboration with Aaranyak maged to capture one adult tiger from core area and subsequent result of scats D alysis established presence of tiger.

During 2013-14, tiger estimation carried out by officials of mdapha Tiger Reserve magement and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) captured one tiger in their camera along with many co-predators and preys. Subsequently, 29 numbers of Scats were sent to WII for D alysis and found presence of two more tigers.

The mdapha Tiger Reserve is being strengthened with intensive and extensive patrolling and monitoring activities to protect the wild life, Shra said.

He congratulated all the field officers and staff of the tiger estimation and monitoring team, Nodal Officer Tajum Yomcha, Research Officer, as well as team leader Parimal Chandra Ray, Field Biologist.