After more than three deacades, Gujarat has once again become home to one of the world’s most iconic big cats.
A tiger has been spotted making Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district its permanent residence. This raises hopes for the possible revival of the species in a state famously known as the last stronghold of Asiatic lions.
State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said that Gujarat now hosts three major big cat species: lions, leopards, and tigers.
“Tigers were once widespread across Gujarat but disappeared over time,” Modhwadia said. “Forest officials have now confirmed that a tiger, which entered the state nearly nine months ago, has settled in Ratanmahal Sanctuary,” he told reporters.
The tiger was first captured on forest CCTV cameras in February of this year. Since then, forest personnel have closely monitored its movements. “Regular camera captures over the past nine months indicate that the tiger has established its territory in Ratanmahal,” the Minister explained, noting that the animal appears to be in good health.
To support the tiger’s survival, some herbivores have been relocated within the sanctuary to ensure a sufficient prey base. Authorities have also informed the National Tiger Conservation Authority and are consulting them on the next steps for the animal’s protection.
According to forest department records, tigers disappeared from Gujarat in 1989. In a previous attempt to track tigers in the state, a big cat was confirmed in Lunawada tehsil of Mahisagar district in February 2019. Unfortunately, hopes of a revival were dashed when the tiger’s carcass was discovered in the same area two weeks later.
This latest development, however, offers renewed optimism that tigers could once again roam the forests of Gujarat alongside lions and leopards.
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