REINTRODUCTION OF TIGERS IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, RAJASTHAN Experience & Lessons Learnt Dr.K.Sankar Wildlife Institute of India

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1 REINTRODUCTION OF TIGERS IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, RAJASTHAN Experience & Lessons Learnt Dr.K.Sankar Wildlife Institute of India

2 2 7 5' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' Map 1 Location of Villages in Sariska Tiger Reserve ' Ajabgarh Dulawa ' N km Tanaghazi Rekamala Barawas Duharmala Srion ada Kankwari Bhagani Buldevg arh Kalig hati Tilwari ' Ind ok Lilund a Su ko la Kund alka Sariska Harip ura Tehla Range Rampur Ramp ur Gu rha Gurha Talviriksh Range Nathusar Loge Panidal Raika Nangled i Kalachara Kusalgarh Sariska Range Kiraska Bera Madhavgarh Roatkala Uamri Jahaj Nandu Bin ak Dabli Devri ' Akbarpur Range Akb arpur Village ' Notified National Park Road ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 881 sq.km 274 sq.km as Notified National Park 32 villages Two state highways pass through the park Live stock population 19, tigers (2004) GIS Cell, March ' ' ' ' ' '

3 TIGER STATUS IN SARISKA NOVEMBER NEWS PAPERS REPORTED DISAPEARENCE OF TIGERS

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5 TIGER STATUS IN SARISKA NOVEMBER `TIGER TASK FORCE WAS CONSTITUTED BY RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT. CBI investigated the cause of tiger disappearance. Poaching was the ultimate cause of tiger extinction in Sariska

6 Background ASSESSMENT OF STATUS OF TIGER (Panthera tigris) IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, RAJASTHAN The MoEF directed the WII to assess the status of tiger in Sariska (January 2005). The Institute confirmed that there were no tigers left in Sariska based on a field survey in February 2005 In the same report WII prepared a blue print for `tiger re-introduction in Sariska 2005

7 Background RECOVERY PLAN FOR TIGERS IN SARISKA TIGER RESERVE, RAJASTHAN Subsequently WII prepared a proposal for Tiger re-introduction in Sariska in 2006 in consultation with NTCA & Rajasthan Forest Department Based on the prey availability we assessed that an area of 274 km 2 in Sariska (notified National Park) can support 15 tigers During the first phase we proposed to re-introduce 3 tigress and 2 tigers in Sariska soft release April, 2008 Post Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun , Uttarakhand

8 BACKGROUND We also proposed supplementation of three tigers (one male and two females) in every two years for a period of six years to establish self- sustaining population with high reproductive fitness in the wild environment and ample genetic diversity.

9 BACKGROUND The simulations (Vortex Software) showed that the probability of tiger survival as 93% (0.9380) ( SE) and probability of extinction as 0.06% (0.0620) ( SE).

10 JUSTIFICATION FOR RE-INTRODUCTION Sariska is the western most limit of Royal Bengal tigers in India The absence of tigers in Sariska may lead to the imbalance to the eco-system The sambar, nilgai and wild pig population went up 2 folds in Sariska ( ) Sariska has an excellent prey base

11 JUSTIFICATION FOR RE-INTRODUCTION Continued.. Sariska and Ranthambore Tiger Reserves are located in the Aravalli hills and have identical vegetation types & temperature conditions Aravalli gene pool of tigers?

12 Tiger Reintroduction Operation June, 2008 Briefing of teams for the immobilization and radio-collaring operation on the 22 nd June, 2008, Ranthambore National Park

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14 Search for suitable tiger, Ranthambore National Park

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19 Immobilized tiger being fitted with radio-collar, Ranthambore National Park

20 0900 hrs, the immobilized and radio-collared tiger being transported to helipad in a well ventilated transport container

21 1105 hrs, tiger container being loaded in the helicopter

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23 12.27 hrs, helicopter arrives in Sariska National Park

24 12.31 hrs, preparation for unloading the tiger container at the helipad located 300 meters close to tiger enclosure in Sariska National Park

25 12.42 hrs, container being shifted to small truck for transportation to release sites

26 12.41 hrs, ramps being attached to small truck for transport of tiger container to the release site

27 Tiger enclosure at the release site in Karnakawas beat of Sariska National Park

28 13.12 hrs, male tiger soon after release inside the enclosure. Animal calm, fully recovered and alert

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30 Field operation So far 08 tigers (5 females & 3 males) were radiocollared and reintroduced in Sariska Tiger Reserve during June 2008 to January 2013.

31 Tiger Monitoring The radio-collared tigers were monitored regularly by a team of researchers and forest officials through ground tracking (VHF) & Satellite data till date.

32 WHAT WE ACHIEVED? FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD TIGER REINTRODUCTION IN A SCIENTIFIC WAY-Species recovery plan Successful immobilization, transport, and release of tigers in enclosure Successful monitoring of reintroduced tigers inside enclosure Successful release of tigers in to the wild Successful continuous monitoring of tigers in Sariska for 5 years! Panna Tiger Reserve, M.P., replicated the same protocol for tiger reintroduction. & Lot of learning

33 Figure 3: Monsoon home range of re-introduced tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve (July 2008 to October 2008)

34 Figure 4: Winter home range of re-introduced tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve (November 2008 to February 2009)

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36 Path ahead. Initial stocking was done (05 tigers) in Sariska during to establish the initial population of 5 tigers. A supplementation of three tigers (one male and two females) in every two years for a period of six years is proposed. Supplementation of 2 tigress was done during January 2013 to maintain genetic and demographic viability of tiger population

37 ST-1 MALE ST-1 Male tiger died on 12 th November Cause of death due to poisoning (Organophosphate pesticide).

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39 Tiger breeding status Tiger s breeding status is being ascertained through scat analysis from LaCONES, CCMB, Hyderabad (Hormone levels) Breeding success was achieved by ST-2 (female) in May-June Two female cubs are born.

40 ST-2 with a Cub

41 ST-2 with 2 Cubs

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43 2 7 5' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' Map 1 Location of Villages in Sariska Tiger Reserve ' ' ' ' ' Path ahead N km Tanaghazi Rekamala Barawas Duharmala Srion ada Kankwari Ind ok Lilund a Su ko la Kund alka Sariska Harip ura Kalig hati Bhagani Tehla Range Rampur Ramp ur Gu rha Gurha Talviriksh Range Nathusar Loge Panidal Raika Nangled i Kalachara Kusalgarh Sariska Range Kiraska Bera Madhavgarh Roatkala Uamri Jahaj Nandu Bin ak Akbarpur Range Dabli Devri Akb arpur ' ' ' ' ' ' Ten villages from Core Zone I (Notified National Park area) can support at least 15 adult tigers (Sankar et al. 2005). Tilwari Ajabgarh Dulawa Buldevg arh Village Notified National Park Road ' GIS Cell, March ' ' ' ' ' '

44 Path ahead Bhagani, Umri and Rotkala villages are already relocated. Kankwari, Sukola & Dabli villages relocation which are underway will make at least 150 km 2 undisturbed area available to tigers. The relocation of remaining 8 villages from the Core-1 will make 274 km 2 undisturbed area available to tigers. This will also pave ways for inviolate atmosphere for tiger breeding in Sariska.

45 Path ahead Apart from 10 villages in Core Zone-1, there are 22 villages located inside the Tiger Reserve. Implementation of eco-development initiatives in all the villages will reduce the dependency of forest resources by the local people. Now we have 9 tigers in Sariska.

46 The New Arrivals in Sariska (January 2013)

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48 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY RAJASTHAN FOREST DEPARTMENT Dr. PARAG NIGAM & Dr.P.K.MALIK Mr. QAMAR QURESHI WII RESEARCH FELLOWS INDIAN AIR FORCE WWF, NEW DELHI

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