Tiger from Telangana disperses to Pranahita

NAGPUR: Tigers dispersing to Telangana from Maharashtra's central Chanda forest division and Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary in Pandharkawda have been scientifically recorded, but for the first time evidence of a tiger dispersing from a sanctuary in the neighbouring state to Pranahita sanctuary in Gadchiroli calls for exploring conservation potential in the tribal district.
As per forest department record, there were 115 tigers in Gadchiroli district in 1989 but now the numbers have dwindled to only six tigers, including four sub-adults, in Wadsa forest division.
The 418 sq. km Pranahita sanctuary, spread in both Maharashtra and Telangana, was notified on August 27, 2014, to boost wildlife conservation. Since then, the sanctuary is being managed by territorial division. The sanctuary area in Maharashtra is known as Pranhita while the part in Telangana is spelled Pranahita.
State's chief wildlife warden Nitin H Kakodkar confirmed tiger entering Pranahita. "It is true that potential of Gadchiroli needs to be explored by developing prey base and enhancing protection. The tiger coming here is a good sign but we need to wait and watch whether it settles down or leaves after rains. It is too early to say what happens," he said.
L Ranjeet Nayak, district forest officer (DFO), Kagaznagar division of Telangana, said, "The tiger sighted in Gadchiroli's Pranhita is a K7, male sub-adult cub of second litter of resident tigress Falguna in Kagaznagar. It was last sighted 14-15 days ago in Pranahita sanctuary on our side. It must have travelled 35-40 km crossing the Pranhita river, seperating the two states. We are surprised. I don't know whether it took the narrow river ends or crossed the swollen waters to reach the other side."
Wildlife biologist Imran Siddiqui, working in Telangana, says the sub-adult male has entered from source area to sink where tigers can go undetected for days together.