New Delhi: Ranthambore National Park, known globally for its tiger population, faces a troubling crisis as 25 of its 75 tigers have been reported missing over the past year, according to an internal monitoring report. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Pawan Kumar Upadhyay, has ordered a thorough investigation and formed a three-member committee to address the issue.
The panel, which includes top wildlife officials, is expected to deliver its findings to the Chief Wildlife Warden’s Office within two months. The investigation follows recent incidents of human-tiger conflicts, including the death of a local villager and subsequent retaliatory killing of the attacking tiger, which has escalated local tensions.
Concerns among conservationists
The alarming revelation of missing tigers has raised concerns among conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. According to sources, the Ranthambore tiger monitoring report indicated that 11 of the missing tigers have not been sighted for over a year, while the remaining 14 have not been confirmed for nearly a year. Pawan Kumar Upadhyay, in his official directive, underscored the need for accountability and directed that the investigation focus on efforts made by Ranthambore officials to locate the missing tigers. The inquiry will also examine any lapses in monitoring and recommend disciplinary actions if necessary.
Experts believe that the increase in tiger numbers may have intensified competition for territory, leading some weaker tigers to venture outside the park’s boundaries or become involved in fatal conflicts with stronger tigers. However, the report hints at concerns that limited monitoring resources and inadequate tracking may be causing authorities to misidentify deceased tigers as merely missing.
From January 2023 to January 2024, several tiger deaths in park
Wildlife activists have long criticized officials at Ranthambore for prioritizing tourism over rigorous tiger conservation efforts. In recent years, tiger sightings have driven the park’s popularity, yet critics argue that this focus has detracted from consistent monitoring practices essential for tracking the health and movement of the tiger population.
From January 2023 to January 2024, the park recorded several tiger deaths, including cases of cubs and adult tigers either due to natural causes or human-wildlife conflicts. In some cases, tranquilising errors have been documented, such as the death of Tiger T-104 in Udaipur due to overdose, and two cubs of Tigress T-79 died in September. The most recent tiger death occurred in September 2024, followed by a tiger killed by locals in retaliation last Saturday.
Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas commented that the current administration lacks the commitment needed for wildlife conservation, calling the loss of tigers “a sign of negligence” by the state government. Meanwhile, BJP representatives have not offered further insights into the situation.
