URBAN TIGER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

 Tiger (ST21-421 male cub of 2year age) which was a frequent visitor in the green spaces of Bhopal, was located by team in MANIT campus. The tiger was monitored using field tracks, camera traps and cattle kills from 2nd Oct to 16th Oct 2022. Due to media and political pressure the tiger was captured and relocated to Satpuda Tiger Reserve and later to Madhav National Park. The team members are trained to understand, monitor the situations effectively and provide handholding to such situations. 

 An injured tigress T-21-322 (F) with right hind leg with wound most probably with snare-wire trap have been identified in buffer area of city on 23rd march 2023. Later the female was recorded from an agricultural area on 11th April 2023. The volunteers identified within daily-wagers staff of forest department is regularly monitoring. 

A young leopard has been recorded trapped in snare-wire a village boundary close to Bhopal. The same have been rescued with help of forest department. 

A leopard was sighted by Army official in their residential area of campus. Following a negative incident last year, the leopard was monitored by army personal, field staff of the project and forest department. The leopard was captured in cage and relocated to Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tracking tigers & other carnivores in the field, it's essential to be observant and look for various signs. Here are some common field tracks and signs to track tigers:

1.Pugmarks: Tiger & Other carnivore's footprints are one of the most recognizable signs. 

2.Scratch Marks, kill & Drag marks: Tigers often scratch trees or ground to mark their territory. Each carnivore feed on herbivores and their kill pattern are recognizable.  Carnivores usually drag their prey to a secluded area to consume it. Looking for signs of a recent kill, such as disturbed vegetation and leftover carcass remains.

3. Scats: The excreta of carnivores are uniquely identified based on the pattern, shape and size. 

 Potential camera trapping stations are identified and marked, based on the reconnaissance survey as well as field surveys. Motion-based remotely triggered camera traps are installed in different part of green spaces and checked every 2nd day for the tiger movements. Spatio-temporal space-use by wild and domestic animals are documented. 

Community plays very important role in such human-dominated landscape in monitoring and conserving wildlife. Engaging local community as volunteers, and as audience in awareness and sensitization programs to promote sensitization about tiger presence in urban area.