Finding Jai: Forest department working on getting photographic evidence

Under fire for being unable to provide authentic information about the most famous denizen of Maharashtra's forests, the state forest department is working on a warfooting to collect photographic evidence to prove that all is well with the iconic tiger Jai.

The seven-footer Jai from Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UKWLS) near Nagpur, who weighs around 250 kg, has not been sighted since April. This has led to a massive search operation by not only the forest department but also wildlife enthusiasts and NGOs, some of whom have even offered cash prizes for anyone who can provide his whereabouts.

Forests officials said they were under immense pressure to locate the missing big cat and ensure he is unscathed by poachers, disease or territorial fights with other tigers.

Speaking to dna, Shree Bhagwan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF-Wildlife) and the state's Wildlife Warden said that they have been getting a lot of indirect evidences about Jai's presence in his home range and Bhandara forest division where he was last spotted. But looking at the scenario created, they are now trying to get a photograph to authenticate his presence.

"We have put (up) a lot of camera traps and... we also have our own men who are trying to get him photographed. Once we get him photographed, it is direct evidence," he said, adding that these photographs would serve as concrete evidence for the common man.

Bhagwan stated there were reports of cattle kills in areas which this dominant male tiger from UKWLS was suspected to be frequenting. "It may be searching for a territory... for old age, which he may get around Nagzira," he said, adding that they had an inkling that the tiger may be heading there considering the good prey base.

Meanwhile, some forest officials even claimed that specific locations of Jai's movement as well as places where camera traps have been placed were purposely not being given as they did not want it to go into wrong hands.

"He is around seven years old and has fathered cubs who are three to four years old. Male tigers are highly territorial animals," explained Bhagwan, pointing to a reason why Jai may have moved out of UKWLS, which has at least seven young male tigers. Males like Jai, who are past their prime may find it tough to stave off younger challengers for territory.

Born in the Navegaon-Nagzira tiger reserve in Bhandara- Gondia, Jai had later migrated to UKWLS around 150 km away in 2013 crossing villages and highways and even gone off to Bramhapuri later.

"There are around 200 tigers in Maharashtra but the attention Jai has got has left the entire department not only under pressure but also in a huge dilemma. People are spreading misinformation and not understanding that the department cannot keep running behind one individual tiger who changes his territory," said a senior forest official adding that now the entire onus is on them to locate Jai and prove he was unscathed.

An official pointed out that physically sighting tigers in the wild was not easy even in richly-populated landscapes like Kanha. Roheet Karoo, Wildlife Warden of UKWLS who along with other wildlife enthusiasts initiated 'Finding Jai' campaign said that forest department itself is at sea about the location of Jai and it was clear by their approach, inspite of claims of having vital clues. "Only photographic evidence will help everyone believe that Jai is fine. We cannot rely on random people claiming to have spotted Jai or simply going by cattle kills.

Jai has been named after Big B's character from the blockbuster Sholay and is extremely popular with tourists as well as wildlife photographers, due to his ability to pose for gawking tourists even as they click photographs.