Karnataka which has the highest number of tigers in the wild has seen terrible 11 tiger deaths in just four months for various reasons. According to Karnataka Forest Department statistics and source from the Tigernet, the official directory for tigers and other wildlife mortality, three out of the 11 deaths in the State have occurred outside tiger reserves while seven deaths were reported in Nagarhole and three in Bandipur Tiger reserve. It was just a week ago a healthy big cat was found dead at Shettyhalli Wildlife Sanctuary limits and reason for the death has to be ascertained.
According to forest officials, the tiger was weak and the carcass was found in a decomposed state.
According to wildlife experts, the tiger deaths were due to botched capture and relocation, territorial fight, infighting, snare , poaching and due to ill health and old age.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Forest Department is gearing up for the forthcoming All-India Synchronised Asian Elephant Census to be held in Karnataka from May 16 to 19 along with other southern States. The department conducted a day’s workshop for over 210 volunteers and 140 staff members who would be part of this mega census of the pachyderms.
According to officials, the census which is being held after five years will help determine the population structure of the elephants besides the age and sex ratios of them. The protocol for population estimation for pachyderms is designed by the Project Elephant Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Forests. The elephant census and estimation will be held in Bhadra-Nagarahole-Bandipur-BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Reserve, and Bannerghatta, covering more than 11,000 sq km harbouring most of the elephants in the State. The previous census in 2012 accounted for 6,072 elephants in Karnataka with Bandipur and Nagarahole accounting for nearly 1,500 elephants each.