R S TEJUS:
Inquiry is on into the death of two tiger cubs in the Cauvery Sanctuary, Karnataka, India. The bodies of two tiger cubs were found dead on August 12 in Chamarajanagar district.
A very concerning wildlife development, the two tiger cubs – one male and one female, were found dead near Kirubanakallu Betta, close to the Holemuridatti Anti-Poaching Camp (APC) in the Holemuridatti Beat, Shagya Section, Hanur Wildlife Range, Cauvery Sanctuary.
Preliminary suspicion suggests the cubs may have died after being separated from their mother, leading to starvation and finally death.
However, Karnataka Forest Department officials have confirmed that the exact cause of death will be known only after receiving reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and other expert assessments.
Until then, no conclusive statements are being made by the Karnataka forest officials.
The Karnataka Forest department has installed camera traps at key points to trace the mother tigress. Pug marks, possibly belonging to her, have been found within a 4 km radius of the cubs’ location, though verification via camera footage is pending.
CAUVERY SANCTUARY’S STAFF SHORTAGE, CHALLENGES
There is chronic shortage of frontline forest staff in Cauvery Sanctuary. Until 2023, each APC had four members, but since the introduction of a new transfer-management software, very few staff are willing to work in the Cauvery Sanctuary and MM Hills Sanctuary.
This has resulted in only three members per one Anti-Poaching Camp (APC), leaving these sensitive and high poaching areas in the Cauvery Sanctuary severely understaffed.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
Senior officials stress that the Karnataka government must act swiftly to address staffing shortages, especially for forest watchers and guards. There is adequate budget allocation for infrastructure and developmental activities inside the parks.
However, unfortunately there remains no separate provision to improve salaries for lower-level staff, a factor that directly affects retention.
Wildlife experts also emphasize the importance of offering employment opportunities to local communities to improve both conservation outcomes and livelihood security.
As of now, the department maintains that the death of tiger cubs appears to be due to starvation, but they will await the completion of the investigations before confirming the cause of precious wildlife.