Latest news with #Kankati
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
New tigress replaces Kankati at R'bore fort
Jaipur: Despite the relocation of the young tigress Kankati following two alleged human fatalities, the recurring conflict between tigers and pilgrims at the historic Ranthambore Fort continues to pose significant risks to both public safety and wildlife conservation efforts. The forest department has often imposed intermittent restrictions on access to the fort, a popular pilgrimage and tourist site, as a precautionary measure following tiger sightings. However, it has yet to implement a permanent solution to this ongoing conflict. Most recently, entry was temporarily banned after the movement of tigress Riddhi was observed within the fort premises. Access was restored on Monday after the forest department ensured that the tiger family was no longer present. Experts point to an increasing prey base inside the fort as a key factor attracting big cats. Over the years, small shops have sprung up inside the fort, and visitors often offer rituddal food items like chana and prasad, flour to wild animals or leave behind waste. These readily available food sources have attracted herbivores such as langurs and sambar, as well as omnivores like wild boars—creating a prey-rich environment that naturally draws tigers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Balendu Singh, former Honorary Wildlife Warden, said, "One of the primary reasons the fort has become a hotspot for tigers is the increase in prey species attracted by leftover food and ritual offerings. The ready availability of these food sources is changing the natural habits of wildlife, encouraging them to gather in larger numbers and remain close to human activity. This shift not only disrupts the ecological balance but also increases the risk of human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore, a strict ban on feeding wild animals inside the fort is essential to preserve both visitor safety and animal welfare." Dharmendra Khandal, conservation biologist with Tiger Watch, added that structural damage to portions of the fort wall has made it easier for tigers—who are instinctively territorial explorers—to enter.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Tigers, temples and a tragic tangle in Ranthambore
Tigers, temples and a tragic tangle in Ranthambore Ajay Singh Ugras TNN May 25, 2025, 14:30 IST A sub-adult tigress recently killed two people at Ranthambore National Park, a 7-year-old boy and a 40-year-old forest ranger. But the tigress had never learnt to hunt. As officials grapple with what to do with her, there are bigger challenges for the national park that has over 350 temples, lakhs of visiting pilgrims and a growing tiger population On May 12, around 3pm, a Ranthambore forest ranger, 40-year-old Devendra Chaudhary, was on a patrol vehicle, headed to inspect a construction site, Yagyashala, near the historic Jogi Mahal hunting lodge gate, barely 500m from the Ranthambore Fort. He got off his vehicle, an old green Gypsy, planning to cover the short stretch to the construction site on foot. He didn't make it. A 23-month-old tigress pounced on him, and dragged him into the forest. The sub-adult tigress, Kankati , sat by a dead Chaudhary in the forest for a long time before forest guards could finally shoo her away. This was Kankati's second kill within weeks.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Forest officials finalise relocation of tiger cubs amid fatalities in Ranthambore
Plans to relocate the three Arrowhead tiger cubs individually to one of the three tiger reserves - Mukundura Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, or Karauli-Dholpur, are being finalised, forest officials said. Earlier plans to move Kankati, the cub of Tigress Arrowhead, to a biological reserve have been abandoned. The decision comes in wake of a tragic incident on May 11, when a forest ranger was fatally attacked inside Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). Officials now suspect that the same tiger may also have been responsible for the death of a 7-year-old boy on April 16 in a nearby area. Preliminary investigations point to one of Tigress Arrowhead's approximately 20-month-old cubs to be likely involved. Commenting on the relocation plan, former RTR field director Manoj Parashar said, 'It's a good move, but the behavior of the tigress and her cubs needs close monitoring.' Also Read: Same tiger behind ranger's death and April 16 child attack at Ranthambore: Official A senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) official familiar with the situation shed light on the challenges facing Ranthambore. 'Big cats are currently concentrated in Zones 2, 3, and 4 due to the abundance of water bodies and grasslands there,' he explained. 'Improving the habitat and developing more grasslands will encourage a more uniform distribution of tigers across the reserve', he said. He also noted that tigers are naturally dispersing toward the Dholpur and Ramgarh-Vishdhari reserves. The official raised concerns about the large number of devotees visiting temples within the reserve. Apart from the Ganesh Temple, there are nearly 150 smaller temples spread across RTR. 'Strict regulations are necessary — no permission for cooking inside the reserve, and movement should be restricted to forest vehicles only,' he said. Addressing the increasing tiger population, the official explained that the wild population is largely self-regulating. Cautioning against excessive interference, he added, 'Relocating a tiger creates territorial vacancies that trigger fierce battles, often fatal, among other tigers competing for the space. Forced interventions can disrupt this natural order.' Parashar also pointed to the dense vegetation in Zones 2 and 3 — the area between the fort and Jogi Mahal — as a major factor contributing to the recent fatal attacks. 'These are some of the highest tiger-density zones, and tigers need shade in summer,' he said. 'However, the thick undergrowth severely limits visibility, increasing the risk of surprise encounters', he added. He explained that after Tigress Arrowhead fell ill, she and her cubs were baited in this area, leading the cubs to grow accustomed to human presence — a dangerous habituation. 'The vegetation needs thinning — not tree felling, but removal of shrubs and undergrowth. Tigers stalk before attacking; better visibility can help prevent such attacks', he said.
India Today
19-05-2025
- India Today
Open-top safari vehicles: Are they worth the risk in forest tourism?
Being an automotive journalist comes with its fair share of perks. One of the most exciting is the opportunity to travel, often to the farthest corners of India and beyond. Over the past two decades, my journeys have taken me into nearly every major forest in India. From the dense landscapes of Ranthambore National Park and the serene wilderness of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, to the quiet expanse of Sariska and my personal favourite, Corbett National trips haven't always been just for work. I often return on my own time, drawn back by the beauty of the wild. Across countless safaris that I have been a part of in the past, I've ridden in everything from modified Maruti Suzuki Gypsys to the larger Canters. Despite the differences in size or style, they all shared one trait: they were open-top brings me to an important question: are open-top vehicles really the best choice for forest safaris? Especially when ferrying groups of tourists through habitats where wild animals roam freely, and often without any guards or immediate backup in case of an emergency?Why I say what I say I write this as I am concerned over the recent developments at Ranthambore National Park, where a tigress named Kankati has been involved in multiple human fatalities - the most recent being forest ranger Devendra Chaudhary, who was killed on May story traces back to Kankati's mother, Arrowhead, a celebrated tigress in the park. She was found limping and, upon examination, was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Since she was nursing cubs at the time, forest officials decided to provide her with live bait to ensure her survival. Kankati, in turn, was raised on that bait. This arrangement continued until Kankati began attacking humans. So much so that she recently killed Ranger Chaudhary just meters away from the popular tourist spot - the historic Jogi Mahal Hunting Lodge and Ranthambore Fort - while tourist Gypsys waited to experts, Kankati may now associate Gypsy vehicles with food. The emerging fear is chilling: a Gypsy arrives, something steps out, and she perceives it as prey. If that's the case, isn't there a possibility of an attack on tourist vehicles as well?Are open-top vehicles safe?In forests across the country, the primary choice of vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. This is because the use of diesel vehicles is prohibited in most forests and the Gypsy, being a petrol-powered car, works just fine. It also comes with 4x4 ability, and this means that the rough tracks within the forest can be dealt with easily. Most importantly, the Gypsy is a soft-top vehicle and hence, the view of the forest is clear to the passengers. Operators also customise these vehicles with forward-facing bench seats that allow them to carry more passengers than mentioned in the registration certificate. While all that is fine, there is one factor that remains unquestioned. What if an animal attacks or charges?advertisementThe other vehicle in use is the Canter. These are large trucks that are retrofitted with seats and have high shoulder lines. This, at least, provides more security for the passengers within, although they still remain true safety net at the momentYour true safety net while in these open-top vehicles is the guide and the driver. They are experienced enough and know what to do in case of an attack. Some drivers also told me that in the forest, the threat is more from elephants rather than the tiger or a leopard. In a recent incident in Kaziranga National Park, a safari vehicle was chased by a rhino and the only reason they got away in one piece was the driver, who patiently negotiated the obstacles to get the tourists to January 6, a woman and her daughter were out on a jungle safari in Kaziranga National Park. To their horror, a rhino charged at the open-top Gypsy and the driver, as is the protocol, drove hard to keep the occupants safe. However, in one instance, he had to take a hard turn. As a result of which, the duo fell out of the vehicle and were left at the mercy of the wild animals. Needless to say, it was not the driver's fault, but rather the fact that the vehicle was not prepared animals attackIt is not uncommon for animals to charge at vehicles, but it's important to realise that the real issue lies with humans. We are the ones encroaching on spaces meant for wildlife. The animals are not at fault. An elephant with a calf is surely going to charge if it feels threatened, and so is the case with other animals. This is a common occurrence in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, where the national highway cuts through the forest. Most drivers have no clue what to do if they spot an elephant on the road. Honking is not the solution, but keeping a wide berth what is the best way?There is little doubt that forest safaris are something everyone enjoys and so do I. But I was once told by a renowned conservationist that most animals perceive the Gypsy as a harmless object that frequently passes by, usually carrying a bunch of things (read: humans), and that strange noises (read: camera shutter clicks) often accompany its presence. But mock charges are common as animals charge as a protective move, mostly. So, is it right to let tourists go in as bait? Is there a solution? I think there one of my travels, I visited Bannerghatta National Park near Bengaluru. In this park, wild animals roam freely within large enclosures, while the ones kept in cages are, ironically, humans. Tourists are taken in large, fully-caged canters. These vehicles offer good visibility while ensuring safety. Wildlife often come close to vehicles, and at times, even climb onto them. This offers the kind of thrill one desires and safety is ensured as well. However, this method isn't entirely foolproof. A full-grown elephant, for instance, has the strength to topple such a vehicle. Still, it offers a far greater level of safety compared to venturing in as live Kankati has already been shifted to an enclosure, and her fate is yet to be decided by humans. To conclude, I just hope and pray that Kankati and her cubs do not come to associate the Gypsy with food - or worse, see whatever steps out of it as bless our precious wildlife.(Rahul Ghosh is Associate Editor at Auto Today with over two decades of experience in vehicle evaluation, intercontinental drives and everything else automotive. On the Jury for Indian Car of the Year and Indian Motorcycle of the Year)(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Live baiting: Why ‘misplaced kindness' is becoming a problem for tigers in India
Kankati, a 23-month-old tigress, has killed two people in less than one month in Ranthambore, Rajasthan. Since her birth, Kankati and her two siblings have been habituated to live bait offered to their ailing mother, Arrowhead. The tigers have often been seen hanging around the pen where buffalo calves are kept, and stalking bait delivery staff and their vehicles. This loss of inhibition for people, experts fear, has made Kankati — and potentially even her siblings — dangerous for the forest staff and the visitors to Ranthambore. Live baiting is an umbrella term for offering a prey animal to a predator. British hunters preferred live bait (buffalo or goat) to lure tigers, and shoot from the safety of their perched hiding spots. And as tiger tourism began gaining currency in post-Independence India, forest officer Kailash Sankhala — who in 1973 became the first director of Project Tiger — noted that 'live bait is put out every Friday evening' in Sariska so that 'visitors can see and photograph tiger at a kill.' (Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 1964). While hunting tigers was banned in the early 1970s, live baiting tigers for tourists continued until Prime Minister Indira Gandhi put a stop to the practice at a meeting of the Indian Board of Wildlife in 1982. However, in conflict situations, live baiting with goats or dogs is still a common practice to trap big cats, particularly leopards. In the present context, live baiting means offering a live animal, usually a buffalo calf, every week or ten days to feed an injured or old tiger that cannot hunt wild prey. An ill-advised practice Live baiting to lure tigers for easy sighting is prohibited. However, for dealing with old or injured tigers in the wild, it is 'not advisable' — not banned — under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). All wild tiger populations, the NTCA SOP says, 'need to be managed with minimum human intervention', and artificially feeding wild tigers to ensure their 'longevity goes against the basic tenets' of wildlife conservation. The SOP underlines that the 'natural process is facilitated by the 'survival of the fittest', through natural elimination of the aged/weaker individuals from a population' and 'it is not advisable to intervene in this natural process through artificial feeding'. This, the SOP states, 'may also lead to habituation of wild tigers which may lead to human-wildlife interface problems like livestock or human depredation.' As veteran conservationist Valmik Thapa puts it: 'Wild tigers can be fed only as an emergency measure. If a tigress with cubs gets an injury and is unable to hunt, baiting can be tried to improve her condition but only once in two weeks and for not more than three months. You can not prolong this as tigers get familiar and fearless with humans'. 'Misplaced kindness' In nature, the weak and the injured must perish so that the fittest can flourish. It is perfectly normal for a tiger to die of starvation or at the hands of an adversary. This fundamental principle, say experts, is increasingly lost on many who 'espouse the tiger's cause on social media'. Dr Rajesh Gopal, who served at the helm of both Project Tiger and NTCA, recalls 'a surge of misplaced kindness' for wild tigers among an 'influential segment of opinion makers' in the years after the Sariska debacle in 2005, when the wipeout of the tiger reserve's local population rallied support for the national animal. In 2008, the public outcry following the death of Ranthambhore's Guda tigress of suspected poisoning made the forest department regularly offer bait to her two 16-month-old cubs. Raised on buffalo calves, they did not get to hone their wild survival skills. Since females seldom face deadly challenges from other females, the sister (T37) stood a better chance at surviving. But the brother (T36) was killed by a younger male in 2010 in an unequal battle between a raised tiger and a wild one. Another brother-sister duo, orphaned when Ranthambhore's Berdha tigress died in April 2009, was also regularly served live bait. In July 2010, Simba, the three-year-old brother, hurt himself attempting to hunt a porcupine and subsequently died of quill injuries. Once orphaned, T36 and Simba would have died of starvation. Or necessity would have made wild tigers of them. But their fate was sealed the day they became 'raised' tigers in the wild. In 2010, this regime stretched to geriatric care — Machhli, the iconic matriarch of Ranthambhore, and her former partner T2, the ancient Anantpura male, were both offered life support. The male was soon too weak to kill even a tethered calf and died in 2011. But Machhli survived on live bait, and the occasional kill, for seven long years until 2016. Not just feeding While instances of live baiting are limited to certain popular reserves like Ranthambhore and Tadoba, where repeated sightings of particular tigers make tourists deeply bond with the individual animals, a wider culture of quick intervention and care has struck roots across the country. 'Every scratch and limp visible to tourists' eyes now triggers a demand for some medical response, leading to frequent tranquilisation of tigers. One bad summer calls for additional water holes. Artificial augmentation of food by shifting prey species by truckloads is not rare anymore,' says Dr Dhamendra Khandal of TigerWatch, a Ranthambhore-based NGO. Be it Corbett in Uttarakhand, Bandipur in Karnataka, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh or Pench in Maharashtra, the new normal is to medically attend to tigers, often well past their prime, and injured in territorial fights. Others, such as Ranthambhore's tigress Arrowhead or a male tiger in Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), are getting specialised treatments for deformities that require multiple interventions over time. The net outcome, experts say, is bound to be negative. Beyond dangers posed to individual tigers by multiple sedation or habituation to bait, such interventions lead to artificial boosts in pocket populations, worsening conflict among tigers, and between tigers and people. A wild tiger, cautions Dr Gopal, does not need pet care. 'All it requires us to do is to protect its home — the natural forest habitat with its natural prey base — and leave it alone.' Jay Mazoomdaar is an investigative reporter focused on offshore finance, equitable growth, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation. Over two decades, his work has been recognised by the International Press Institute, the Ramnath Goenka Foundation, the Commonwealth Press Union, the Prem Bhatia Memorial Trust, the Asian College of Journalism etc. Mazoomdaar's major investigations include the extirpation of tigers in Sariska, global offshore probes such as Panama Papers, Robert Vadra's land deals in Rajasthan, India's dubious forest cover data, Vyapam deaths in Madhya Pradesh, mega projects flouting clearance conditions, Nitin Gadkari's link to e-rickshaws, India shifting stand on ivory ban to fly in African cheetahs, the loss of indigenous cow breeds, the hydel rush in Arunachal Pradesh, land mafias inside Corbett, the JDY financial inclusion scheme, an iron ore heist in Odisha, highways expansion through the Kanha-Pench landscape etc. ... Read More
