DIMAPUR, MARCH 22 (MExN): Rumours of a tiger in the Medziphema area where a tigress was shot and killed by anxious villagers has been dismissed after the Nagaland Forest Department along with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India set up various camera traps in the area. The camera trappings with 17 units were laid out for seven days.
A press note from the WCS India Programme informed that Nagaland “threw up a surprise for wildlife conservationists, particularly those involved with tigers in the country.”
The tigress shot in Medziphema on February 29 was the first official sighting of a tiger in the area for over a decade, the WCS informed. Rumours of a second tiger spread two days later.
The WC Society India Program, facilitated by Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust (NWBCT), provided technical assistance and set up camera-traps near the kill-site and around the village along with the State Forest Department.
Bano Haralu, a conservationist from NWBCT pointed out that “The last time a tiger came into the village, it was shot. But this time things were different, and for the better.” She observed that the locals are now more aware of tiger conservation issues and immediately informed the authorities, who in turn were able to take action.
“What is promising is that the villagers, the forest department, and NGOs worked together and acted immediately. This gave the villagers confidence that the next time also, they will receive similar help”, Haralu stated. “This will go a long way in ensuring that the next time a tiger disperses through our state, it will be able to successfully move through”.
Resident population of tigers unlikely
“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 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India Program, 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. The WCS informed that according to residents of Medziphema “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.
