The missing tigers of Ranthambore: a story of wars and human menace – Times of India

JAIPUR: Tigers may be disappearing from Ranthambore National Park due to a complex mix of territorial disputes, human threats and natural aging, according to wildlife experts.
Recently, Chief Inspector Pavan Kumar Upadhyay issued an order regarding the missing 25 tigers in the park. A search committee was able to track down ten within three days. Dharmendra Khandal, a conservation biologist at Tiger Watch, noted that among the remaining 15 missing tigers, territorial conflict and human threats appear to be major factors.
The Forest Department report reads: “These younger males were often observed wandering in search of unclaimed areas. Territorial disputes with dominant males may be the cause of their disappearance. However, human-related factors must also be taken into account.
These young men may have been exposed to threats from the local population, such as poisoning or other man-made risks.”
Five older tigers are believed to have died of natural causes due to their advanced age, ranging from 18 to 19 years.
The report adds: “Tigers typically live to be around 15 years old, making survival beyond that age increasingly difficult. While it is remarkable that these tigers survived for so long in Ranthambore, once they reached the age of 15, they faced enormous challenges.
Their reproduction stopped and they struggled to maintain their health and territory despite increasing competition from younger, dominant tigers.”