This marks the first time in a year that such a high number of tigers has been missing from Ranthambore officially reported
In the past year, 25 of the total 75 tigers within Ranthambore National Park (RNP) have missing Rajasthan’s top wildlife official, Pavan Kumar Upadhyay, informed the park’s staff on Monday (November 5, 2024).
This marks the first time an unprecedentedly high number of tigers has been officially reported missing in a single year. Previously, a total of 13 tigers went missing from Ranthambore, spanning the years from January 2019 to January 2022.
On November 5, 2024, the Wildlife Department established a three-member committee tasked with investigating the disappearances. This team will analyze monitoring records and suggest appropriate actions if any deficiencies in the conduct of park officials are discovered.
The focus is on locating 14 tigers that have not been sighted since May 17 to September 30 of this year.
An official order was issued on November 4, following repeated reports of missing tigers from Ranthambore’s monitoring assessments.
Despite numerous notifications sent to the park’s field director, no substantial progress has been observed. As of a report dated October 14, 2024, 11 tigers remain unaccounted for over a year, with only scant recent evidence of another 14. In light of these circumstances, an inquiry committee has been established to investigate the missing tigers at Ranthambore,” the order stated.
Monitoring gaps identified’
Chief Wildlife Warden Pavan Kumar Upadhyay stated, “The committee is set to submit its report within the next two months. We have pinpointed several monitoring gaps that we aim to rectify. Recently, I initiated the collection of weekly monitoring reports, which revealed that these tigers were not captured on the trap camera. This issue is being treated with utmost seriousness.”
Trying to reduce stress on the park involves moving villages away, but this has been slow, with the latest move happening in 2016.
Ranthambore is having problems because too many tigers are living there, causing fights for space. With 75 tigers, including young ones, the park’s 900 square kilometers can’t keep up.
A study from 2006 to 2014 by the Wildlife Institute of India shows that the park can safely accommodate about 40 adult tigers.
