Big cats vanishing from Satkosia

By Siba Mohanty| ENS – BHUBANESWAR

26th March 2013 01:09 PM

http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article1517783.ece?fb_action_ids=10151347302271226%2C10151345969456226&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210151347302271226%22%3A124878117698421%2C%2210151345969456226%22%3A498531046875818}&action_type_map={%2210151347302271226%22%3A%22og.likes%22%2C%2210151345969456226%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map

Shocking as it may sound, Satkosia Tiger Reserve seems headed the Sariska way. Dwindling tiger signs and absence of breeding since two years in the habitat have rung alarm bells for Odisha’s second tiger reserve (TR).

In the 2010 enumeration by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the tiger population was estimated at eight. A host of factors now indicates that the number may have declined drastically. Although the management of the tiger reserve is collecting tiger signs from the prime habitats, they have been declining and are discouraging to say the least.

According to sources, camera traps installed in the tiger reserve have shown signs of existence of large cats, but the population is reported to have hit the nadir. Already designated a low tiger density reserve, the drop in population may push the large cats into extinction in Satkosia soon. The number at present could well be just one or two and unless urgent measures are taken, there would be none left in near future.

‘’Tiger population does not seem to be thriving since there are no signs of cubs with mothers or even juveniles to suggest that breeding is taking place and the cycle is going on. This could be fatal to the population,’’ said a source in Satkosia. Interestingly, prey base in the tiger habitat, which is connected to the tiger habitats of Central and Southern Odisha and onwards to the Central India tiger landscape, has improved over the last few years. The population of wild boar, spotted deer and sambhar has jumped significantly, but there has been no sign of an improvement in tiger population.

The Satkosia TR management too is aware of the impending crisis. “Prey base has improved and so has the habitat and there is no incident of poaching and   no sign of repopulation. It may have to do with the sex ratio of the existing population,” Field Director Pandav Behera told “Express” on Monday.

Sources said skewed the sex ratio could be a major reason behind the crash in the tiger population in Satkosia. “Camera traps had captured an adult male in Labangi about three months back and it suggested existence of the last few. But absence of growth in population indicates that there is either no female and even if there is, it is not in the breeding age anymore,” sources added. Worryingly, all the photographs captured in the reserve area are of the same male tiger.

The tiger that is currently roaming the forests of Chandaka Wildlife Division is believed to have strayed from Satkosia and may have been a key indicator of what is wrong with the latter. Wildlife Wing insiders say the male may have been out on the lookout for a female for mating. Satkosia was declared a TR in 2007 with 524 sq km as core area out of the 963 sq km reserve area. The NTCA in its Management Effectiveness Evaluation Report 2010-11 had categorically pointed out Satkosia had “poor protection, little wildlife orientation and no monitoring,” asking for urgent redressal. But the State has not made any effort yet.

* The number at present could well be just one or two and unless urgent measures are taken, there would be none left in near future

* The population of wild boar, spotted deer and sambhar has jumped significantly but there has been no sign of an improvement in tiger population.

“Less Than 70 Cheetahs Roam Iran”

 Iranian Cheetah

http://www.facebook.com/iranian.cheetah

According to the latest population surveys in Iran, “cheetah population does not exceed 70 individuals”. There has been recent controversial in the Iranian community about cheetah population size in the country which has been extensively discussed in the media. On the basis of recent camera trapping efforts ongoing since last winter by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) in collaboration with Iranian Department of Environment (DoE), Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (CACP) and Panthera, the most robust conclusion for declaration is “less than 70”. Formerly, it was believed that 70 to 100 cheetahs exist in the country. Meanwhile, a big question remains open for further discussion that if the population has decreased or if it has been a small population which was suspected to be larger. Presently, there is no indication of population growth in the country and infrequent occurrence of cheetah families has created serious concerns among Iranian biologists.

However, we are not able yet to declare a more precise and accurate population range in the country as a combination of habitat modeling with population data are needed to find the cheetah range in Iran. Presently, various partners are working closely to find exact number of Asiatic cheetahs in the country. We are hopeful that in 2013, after finishing systematic camera trapping of cheetah reserves across eastern half of Iran, a more accurate population size could be declared.

Recently, some environmental activists in the country criticized Iranian Department of Environment on efficiency of its protection measures and mentioned in the media that we should consider the cheetah as an extinct species, like Asiatic lion and Caspian tiger, because camera traps have shown that the cheetahs are few. However, biologists are confident that there are still ways to save the cheetahs and more collaboration with communities should be established to safeguard the last remains of Asiatic cheetahs in Iran.

http://www.wildlife.ir/ShowInfo.aspx?Lang=2&InfoId=432

 

AFRICA’S SAVANNAH ECOSYSTEMS — AND THEIR LIONS —DECLINING AT ALARMING RATE

 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

http://www.facebook.com/lionalert

 

AFRICA’S SAVANNAH ECOSYSTEMS — AND THEIR LIONS —DECLINING AT ALARMING RATE – Lion Population Estimates as Low as 32,000, Habitat Reduced by 75%. A new study provides the latest estimates of lion numbers, distribution and available habitat. Read more at: http://lionalert.org/news-article/view/id/230

 

Panthers have made a big comeback, but they’re still in peril

 

12:05 AM, Sep. 30, 2012

http://www.news-press.com/article/20120930/NEWS0125/309300024/Panthers-made-big-comeback-they-re-still-peril

 

Since Don Juan’s heyday in Big Cypress National Preserve, the Florida panther population has rebounded considerably. Nevertheless, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission associate research scientist Dave Onorato warns that the species isn’t out of the woods yet.

“We’ve had a nice increase in population and that’s a success story,” he said. “However, for the species to continue to make progress they’re going to have to start moving into central Florida.”

The biggest limiting factor is space. These cats need room to roam, with the average male panther requiring 200 square miles and the average female needing 80 square miles for their “home ranges.”

Deborah Jansen said that South Florida can support around 120 panthers and has just about reached its saturation point.

“The panther population that is confined to a crowded South Florida has shown the results of this crowding: more males killing males, males killing females, more highway deaths, and fewer kittens surviving,” Jansen said.

Without more natural habitat, the population will stay about where it is. Experts said 120 is not anywhere near the number needed to sustain a healthy, genetically diverse breeding population.

More land that is contiguous with existing habitat will need to be made available.

“We have documented males north of the Caloosahatchee River but no females north of the river since 1970,” Onorato said. “The males are a lot less picky than the females, they’ll move into marginal habitat, but the females won’t. As a result, Florida panthers continue to be an isolated population and that’s going to continue to be an issue.”

In Onorato’s mind, a successful population would include three independent, yet connected, populations of 240 panthers each. “That’s how you’d go about delisting the population, but we’re still a long way from that,” he said.

There has, however, been progress.

Last May, a private-public partnership secured a piece of land that could be the key to getting panthers to cross the Caloosahatchee. The 1,278-acre parcel in Glades County was set to go into foreclosure when several government and private groups — including The Nature Conservancy and Wal-Mart — stepped in to save it.

With suitable habitat now available to panthers on both sides of the river, both Jansen and Oronato hope to see panthers populating more of south and central Florida soon.

 

Temple tiger numbers face cut

http://www.bangkokpost.com

Population surge sparks dept welfare concerns

• Published: 11/09/2012 at 10:47 AM
• Newspaper section: News

KANCHANABURI : The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has asked Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua to bring under control the population of tigers in its care to curb a dramatic increase in their numbers.

National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidech pats a tiger at Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua, as the temple’s abbot gives the big cat water to drink. A total of 99 tigers are being kept at the temple in Kanchanaburi province. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

Damrong Pidech, the department chief, yesterday visited the temple’s tiger zoo, well-known among tourists in Kanchanaburi, after a complaint that the temple was profiting from the animals by allowing tourist visits.

“I have come here to take a look at the living conditions of these tigers,” he said.

“Frankly speaking, their living conditions are better than those in state-owned zoos.

“If I move them out of here, I am afraid their living conditions might not be as good,” Mr Damrong said.

He said the department needed to closely cooperate with the temple to curb the tiger population.

He was concerned a rapid increase in tiger numbers will pose an added burden for the temple.

“As far as I know, the temple has a veterinary team to control the tiger population. The abbot told me he will separate male and female tigers during mating season,” he said.

In 2001, the department found the temple was keeping seven tigers illegally. The department allowed the temple to continue taking care of them, while declaring them illegal possessions. Since then, the number of tigers at the temple has soared to 99.

The temple’s abbot initially refused to allow officials to enter the zoo yesterday, fearing the animals might be taken away. He eventually allowed them in after 20 minutes of negotiations.

Phra Vissuthisaradhera, the abbot, said that he disagreed with the department’s plan to reduce the tiger population by transferring some of them to state-owned zoos or wildlife breeding centres.

“I am not sure the new places will have good conditions like this place. We are very close to the tigers. The animals may suffer from stress if they are taken away,” he said.

The department could control their numbers through birth control but then it would have to carry out the job by itself.

The temple spends 400,000 baht a day buying chicken carcasses to feed the tigers.

About 150 tourists, mostly foreigners, visit the temple weekly. The temple charges a 300 baht entrance fee for Thais and 600 baht for foreign tourists.

This brings in about 84 million baht a year for the temple.

The temple’s tiger zoo is located on 30 rai of land. The temple has spent about 100 million baht building cement cages and installing closed-circuit cameras to monitor the animals.

A department source claimed the temple has no intention of controlling the tiger population as having lots of them is good for business.

There are 1,328 tigers at zoos nationwide, with 143 of them seized from illegal traders. The country has about 200 tigers living in the wild.