Ranthambore tiger moves to Madhya Pradesh in search of territory

BHOPAL: A three-year-old tiger from Ranthambore national Park in Rajasthan has sneaked into the adjoining forest of Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district where it is scouting for home.

"This is the third tiger who is in search of a home in MP. The striped animal's movement has been recorded in the thicket outside the Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Sheopur district," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Narendra Kumar told PTI.

Two big cats from Ranthambore have already made MP their home since last two years. One has formed its territory in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary, about 80 kms from Ranthambore, while the other feline has settled down in the forest of Datia district, Kumar said.

"It appears that the tiger population has shot up in Ranthambore and they are moving out in search of territory outside the tiger reserve," he said.

"Another three-year-old tiger tagged RT -71 from Ranthambore is moving in the forested area of MP's Sheopur district. We have recorded its movement on camera with the help of our counterparts in MP," Ranthambore Deputy Conservator of Forests Sudharshan Sharma told PTI over phone.

About 600-700 sq km area in Ranthambore has tiger population, and the striped animals are now moving out of there in search of territory, he said.

Before RT-71, two tigers tagged RT-38 and RT-56 found home in MP, he said.

"The tigers from Rajasthan were entering MP from the Chambal ravines," he added.