BNHS refutes report on tiger deaths by radio-collaring

MUMBAI: Refuting reports that blamed radio-collaring for the death of tigers in Panna National Park, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has defended the method as an efficient tool in preservation of big cats.

The recent wildlife intelligence report submitted to the Government blamed radio-collaring as the cause of death of tigers in Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that radio collars hamper natural movements of tigers, cause neck infections leading to death and are also used by poachers to locate tigers.

"BNHS is horrified to know about the so-called intelligence report which indirectly blames the researchers. The silence of Madhya Pradesh Forest Department on the issue is also shocking," BNHS Director and Member of National Board for Wildlife, Asad Rahmani, said in a release issued.

"Radio-collaring is a well-known time-tested technique used globally for over four decades and thousands of animals including big cats have been successfully fitted with radio collars without causing any harm to them," he said.