Tiger on Prowl: Man-Animal Conflict Feared

BENGALURU: While the spotting of a wild tiger in the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) on the city's outskirts on Saturday could be a sign of increasing tiger population in core conservation areas, there is no denial among experts that it could lead to increased human-animal conflict.

"Inherently tigers need not attack.However, it is always better to be prepared -to secure livestock and keep people informed as there is always a possibility of human-animal conflict," said tiger scientist Ullas Karanth. He warned that danger from leopards and elephants is worse. "Tigers have attacked only 15 people in 50 years in Karnataka whereas hundreds have been killed by elephants," he said.

Experts believe that the tiger spotted less than 50 km from the city might have separated from a surplus population in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve or the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), both of which are contiguous with the BBP . If the tiger is old, injured or got evicted, it is expected to stay where it can find easy prey. Younger ones, however, are known to move about in search of a territory for up to 300 to 400 km.

"Tiger population has increased in all southern states. We need more tiger reserves as only 2% of area is all we have reserved to conserve them. To restore their habitat, local people in the peripheral areas should be made economically self reliant and less dependent on the forests. Coexistence is the hard part and it is yet to start," said WWF consultant and elephant expert Ajay Desai.

The tiger was spotted on Saturday afternoon by tourists who were visiting the safari in the Bannerghatta Biological Park's vehicle. The staff could not identify the tiger as one of the seven captive tigers in the safari.

"Although no tigers have been spotted here for the past 30-40 years, there have been indications for the past six months. We have been seeing pugmarks and we are expecting more. It indicates that all the parameters that make it their natural habitat have been met," said a beaming Rangegowda, director of the Park.

"The tiger might stay there since there is a good herbivore population which is its prey. The area will now become its extended territory.Although repercussions are always possible, it's generally a peaceful area," Rangegowda added.

"The Bannerghatta national park is connected to Tamil Nadu forests and the Cauvery river. The tiger might have come to the BBP answering the call of a female tiger or because a dominant male tiger threatened it in its original territory.Tigers would rather stay somewhere with no competition. They are shy animals and seldom attack unless provoked," said ecologist Dr AJT Johnsingh.

"But conflicts are possible if there are too many tigers since they are territorial animals, need prey and often kill cattle leading to conflict with human beings," he said.