Relocate Tiger T-24 to Ranthambore National Park, say wildlife experts

JAIPUR: Stating that 'Ustad' alias Tiger T-24, who mauled to death a forest guard in May this year, was not a "man-eater", wildlife experts have urged Rajasthan government to relocate the tiger to its habitat in Ranthambore National Park at Sawaimadhopur.

Ustaad was shifted to Sajjangarh Zoological Park in Udaipur, after it allegedly killed 42-year-old forest guard Rampal Saini.

"National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) team after thorough investigation and interview with forest officers reported that Ustad cannot be described as a man eater. And such incidents may be chance encounters due to human proximity to the tiger in its defined habitat," said Rupesh Kant Vyas, a wildlife expert.

"The state government should consider NTCA report on T-24, which was living with a tigress and two cubs in RNP," Vyas said while speaking at a seminar on "Conservation of Tiger" here last evening.

"Through a letter, the Additional DGF (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary (NTCA) Bishan Singh Bonal have also asked the state government's additional chief secretary (forests) to rewild 'Ustad' to its suitable habitat," Vyas said.

The wildlife expert also alleged that 15 big cats were missing from the RNP after Tiger T-24 was shifted to Udaipur.

Speaking on the occasion, retired IFS Officer Sunayan Sharma said that after Tiger T-24 was shifted to Udaipur, Tigress T-39 and cub T-72 were reportedly missing from RNP.

A senior wildlife expert and Cox and King official Madhav Rathore said due to shifting of Tiger T-24, the business in RNP has come down by 24 per cent in recent months.

Forest Guard Saini was attacked and killed by Tiger T-24 while he, along with two others, was on a patrol in the National Park on May 8 this year.