For the first time, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is considering guidelines on how to deal with abandoned/ orphaned tiger cubs especially after death/ disappearance of tigresses or in some cases when weak cubs are deserted by mothers.
These efforts specially assume significance after three cubs were left in the lurch in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve recently following the disappearance of their Mother T-17.
According to sources in Environment Ministry, these guidelines will specially keep in mind how such cubs can be made to survive in the wild with least of human interference. Normally the cubs learn the basic survival instincts and hunting skills from the mother.
But in her absence, the cubs have to be reared and trained in all such ways that are essential for their survival. Hence the basic objective of the guidelines is to formulate practices/ means that can be implemented without leaving much of human imprints in their minds.
Instinctively, wild animal stays away from human presence, he pointed out.However when cubs are hand reared by humans, they lose this natural wild instinct and often venture into human landscape, or come close to humans. The human on the other hand seeing tiger in front goes berserk and runs helter skelter, thereby sparking off man tiger conflicts.
In absence of regular guidelines, there is hardly any uniform procedure in dealing such cases, pointed out sources in NTCA. Some are kept in large enclosures in the wild under constant observation and fed by the forest staffs. Some are also kept in zoo, especially if the cub is too frail or young and hand reared. Such cubs also face threat from other male tigers, hence need protection. Each cub counts to ensure the success of conservation, pointed out the sources.
The proposal has been drafted and is being discussed by experts and field officers. It will be finalised after the consideration/ incorporation of feedback.
The wildlife experts have welcomed the move, especially when such cases are on the rise In the tiger reserves. Ranthambore has about 23 cubs, Tiger reserves as Tadoba, Bor, Pench etc. are also registering a regular increase in cubs. Hence, it is the need of the hour to for NTCA to come out with set practices, they added.