Tadoba tiger’s conduct, health meet NTCA protocol for rehabilitation in natural habitat

Tadoba tiger's health and behaviour meet NTCA standards for safe rehabilitation into its natural habitat after urban encounter.

The health and conduct of the transient male tiger, a native of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, meet every criterion for rehabilitation in its natural habitat.

The tiger didn’t attack any human being despite venturing into human habitats and urban landscapes, restricting itself to preying on cattle for survival.

The big cat, which was tranquilised at a cattle shed in Kurmapuram of East Godavari district around 6.50 p.m. on Friday, was admitted to the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC-Visakhapatnam) on Saturday (February 7). The same day, the Forest Department constituted a special committee to monitor the tiger at the ARC and take a call on its rehabilitation.

According to sources, a number of people who had gathered near the cattle shed on Friday, disturbed the tiger by shouting at it and jostling to take its photos on mobile phone, jeopardising the tranquilisation effort. They also hindered the operation after the dart was shot. Despite the provocations, however, the animal didn’t attack anyone.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to deal with emergency arising due to tigers straying into human-dominated landscapes mandates: “In case, the tranquilised tiger is found to be healthy in prime or young age without any incapacitation (injury, broken paw, etc.), then it may be released after radio collaring in a suitable habitat with adequate prey base, away from the territory of a resident male tiger (if any) or human settlements.”

The SOP, however, advises against releasing an injured/incapacitated tiger back into the wild, recommending that it be sent to a recognised zoo.