Tiger shifted to Rajasthan's Mukundara Hills National Park

The Forest Department today shifted a tiger to a 28 hectares enclosure built in Mukundara Hills National Park in Rajasthan's Darra range, officials said.

Tiger RT-91 was translocated to the park after taking various factors into account, Chief Wild Life Warden (CWLW) GV Reddy told PTI.

"We are also working on translocating his partner in another 15 days," Reddy said.

The tiger had left the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and was living in the peripheral forests near Bundi and frequenting populated areas.

During monitoring and surveillance of the tiger, evidence of poachers roaming in the area came to light and they were apprehended.

"There was a sense of trepidation among locals and a chance of the tiger falling prey to poachers," said Reddy.

 

"Keeping these factors in mind and following detailed deliberations, the decision to translocate RT-91 was taken," he said.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje congratulated the people of the Hadoti region on the successful shifting of the tiger.

"This day shall go down in the annals of conservation as a landmark event where a new habitat is being developed for the national animal. It shall be the responsibility of the people of Hadoti region to ensure the all-round conservation of the Mukundara Ecosystem," she said.

CWLW, Rajasthan, in an order dated March 30, had laid down strict guidelines and protocols for the translocation exercise.

The introduction of tiger to the park will further add to the biological diversity of the Protected Area and conservation efforts revolving around tiger will lead to all round development of the habitat, said Reddy.

"RT-91 is a prime adult male and could lay the foundation of good breeding stock in this protected area. In order to secure the habitat, an 82 sq. Km. area within the park has been already enclosed.

"For the time being, RT-91 shall be monitored constantly and allowed to acclimatise to new area and no tourism would be allowed," said Reddy.