In Search of a Tiger ...



P.S : The above Photograph was taken by me of a Tiger in Captivity in Gold Coast , Australia .

This magnificent animal is in danger again . After the successful "Project Tiger" initiative in the 70's , the tiger was supposed to have been out of danger. However , the recent reports that there are no tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan),India comes as a shock to most nature lovers.

I am not very suprised. I visited Sariska Tiger Reserve "in search of tigers" in October,2003 . I could not spot a tiger ( Though I was lucky to catch a glimpse of a Leopard and all night in our forest guest house we could hear the Leopard's Calls ). When we enquired with the forest rangers the last sighting of a Tiger was weeks back (?).

In my Blog post back then , I had expressed some reservations about the practices in Sariska . Here are those :

There were a few things which have been nagging me ever since the Visit to Sariska Tiger Reserve.

1. Why do they have a Village deep inside the Sanctuary ?

2. Why do they allow two wheelers/ four wheelers ( What protection do human beings have against animals & vice versa, it becomes easier for poachers to get inside ) inside the Sanctuary ?

3. There is no signboard saying "No Honking"and the external vehicles disturb the animals by honking & shouting inside .

If the Govt is serious about Wildlife Conservation then let it act before its too late .

And now comes the news that there might be no tigers left in Sariska .

The most selfish animal is mankind. If we think we can survive by killing all the other species then we are the biggest fools in the world. Let us atone before its too late. It would be a tragedy if these magnificent animals are lost . Save Tiger !