Data collected from the camera-trappings have dispelled the fear of the presence of another tiger in Medziphema village area. The forest department, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India Program (Bangalore) and Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust (NWBCT) had set up camera-traps near the village where the presence of tiger was reported.
According to WCS, soon after the shooting of a tiger by anxious villagers, rumours of a second tiger surfaced in Medziphema
In this regard, WCS along with Nagaland Forest department set up camera traps to confirm the rumours. Seven days of camera-trapping with 17 units allayed fears of tiger presence, WCS stated. Tigers have not been officially recorded from the area in over a decade, it said.
However, WCS said the news of another tiger in their area surfaced when three youngsters while walking inside a nearby forest reported catching a fleeting glimpse of a large, cat-like animal that they had surprised while it was feeding on a wild pig.
“It is unlikely that there is a resident population of tigers in the area. There is habitat for tigers, but little prey”, said Dr. Varun Goswami, scientist at the WCS, who led the effort.
“Tigers, however, can disperse into Nagaland from multiple directions––the forests of Karbi Anglong towards the northwest, or perhaps, Myanmar to the southeast”, he added. In fact, on closer interaction, residents of Medziphema revealed that tigers do occasionally pass through the area. Tigers can move large distances when they are dispersing, according to Dr. Ullas Karanth, renowned tiger expert from Wildlife Conservation Society. “Our long term research shows evidence of tigers travelling up to 300 km or more”, he said.
“The last time a tiger came into the village, it was shot. But this time things were different, and for the better”, said Bano Haralu, a conservationist from NWBCT who partners WCS India Program in Nagaland. The locals, now more aware of tiger conservation issues, immediately informed the authorities of their concern.
Forest deptt appeals
Following the February 29 killing of a tiger, Chief Wildlife Warden, Satya Praksah Tripathi in a letter to the deputy commissioner (DC) has requested the official to take up the matter of Wildlife Protection at the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meetings and other important forums.
Stating that human beings and wildlife co-existed since the time immemorial, Tripathi was optimistic that the people of the state were now coming forward for protection of wildlife by showing solidarity in protection of Amur Falcons. He said in case of sighting of any wildlife in human habitations, the department could be contacted at the following numbers for remedial measures. (See p-7)