Tiger monitoring protocol to be introduced in Thekkady

 
Periyar Tiger reserve (PTR) will introduce integrated tiger monitoring protocol by which monitoring of tigers will become a daily affair. Under the protocol, an integrated effort involving camera traps, observation of pugmarks, reading of direct tiger sighting using Global Positioning System(GPS) and monitoring of the prey base of tigers will be made to keep track of the big cat.

The Wildlife Institute of India had suggested introduction of the protocol, which will be introduced after the first monsoon showers, said Padma Mahanti, Deputy Director, PTR. The PTR recently procured 40 camera traps for observing the tigers. Once the camera traps are installed, the entire stretch of the reserve will be covered. Ten camera traps have already been installed. A tiger monitoring team comprisisng 12 tribal yopuths belonging to Mannan, Paliya and Ooralis have been trained in installing camera traps and the GPS. There are indications that tiger population might be go up in PTR. According to the last census the population can be between 36 and 40 in the PTR.


(The Hindu, 9th April 2007)