Panthera tigris tigris ssp – The Bengal Tiger is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and India.
This report focuses on the Bengal Tigers of India.
In India, this sub-species of Tiger is often referred to as the Royal Bengal Tiger; however in 2013 this King was subjected to anything but the protection that royalty would be entitled to. The Bengal Tigers of India are facing a terrible battle and have struggled and fought for their lives just to simply live in the forests that are rightly called their homes.
The unrelenting threats of on-going rampant poaching, vicious habitat loss and heavy prey species decline, human overpopulation and continuous encroachment levelled at the Tigers of India, has left this marvellous Apex predator facing massive threats to its survival.
Many claim the Bengal has less than a decade left before extinction in India if efforts to protect it are not taken to a new level. We agree.
It is well known across the world that all Tiger subspecies ( and many other animals) are targeted by poachers and wildlife trading syndicates to provide “stock” or “fuel” to the myth of Traditional Chinese Medicine Animal Body Part Use, otherwise known as TCM ABP. The Tiger has always been thought of as a walking drugstore, however there is no magic medicine locked inside the body parts of this creature. The magic of this creature is seeing the living being roaming free in its natural environment. But that is fast becoming “wishful thinking”.
It is pure historical cultural mythology that has created this incessant hunting of the Tigers. TCM ABP was created from myths and legends nearly 3000 years ago. It is a known fact that TCM animal body part use was based not on the anatomical study of the human body, but was based on the astrological calculations and complex associations with the historical era’s gods.
Historically and culturally TCM animal body part remedies came from the identification of an animal behaviour or body part which was then applied to the corresponding human part and/or behaviour. These theorised remedies were then sold to people without any medical proof, and people were told that it would help or cure their ailment by applying the animal predispositions corresponding to human dispositions. It was, and always will be, factual myths and legends.
India is a land that is steeped in a wonderful deep culture, historical and religious beliefs, and a bright sparkling culture. It is also a land that has a massive looming over population, and thousands are struggling to survive. This, seemingly unstoppable, growing human population is impacting the forests and its animals to the point where human/animal conflict is a near daily occurrence now. Mostly, this type of encounter ends badly, both for the human and of course the Tigers. Human/animal conflict is another of the threats to the Tigers.
But probably the most heinous of them all is the demand for TCM ABP. With all of the positives within India, there lies a sinister darkness.
India now has numerous thriving wildlife trading syndicates inside its borders. They will take the very last of the India’s Bengal Tiger for the fake false myths of TCM ABP’s business.
In 2013, business was good…..
Throughout 2013, Cee4life has vigilantly counted the deaths of India’s Bengal Tigers. It has been the most horrendous and tragic report we have ever done. Some may not like the truth, however, we are positive the wild tigers would approve of anything that may save their lives and allow them to live in peace.
This time to act came and went years ago, now the urgency to save this species is upon us. There is no choice, no more excuses, care enough now.
Here is the truth.
The Wild India Bengal Tiger Death Count 2013 – Cee4life
JANUARY
- 1 Female, East MAHARASHTRA – shot dead http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Man-eating-tigress-shot-dead/articleshow/17998318.cms
- 1 Bengal Tiger Beaten to Death, BANGLADESH/SUNDERBANS – link now broken
- 1 Male, 4 years old, NAGARHOLE, Poison – (Could this be a female, or is there another female missed – note article 13) http://ibnlive.in.com/news/karnataka-cause-of-4yearold-tigers-death-still-uncertain/315734-62-129.html
- 1 Tiger, MAHARASHTRA – Electrocution http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Maharashtra-loses-third-tiger-in-12-days/articleshow/18067773.cms
- 1 Female, 6 – 7 years old, CORBETT NP, Jirna – http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/wire-news/tigress-found-dead_809895.html
- 1 Tiger Cub – KAZIRANGA – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toierrorfound.cms?url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Tiger-cub-dead-in-Kaziranga-rhino-battles-for-life-at-Orang/articleshow/17950583.c Link broken
- 1 Tigress, electrocuted, Pench/MADAHYA PRADESH – http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-21/flora-fauna/36462031_1_full-grown-tiger-decomposed-carcass-pench-tiger-reserve
FEBRUARY
- 1 Tiger, 4 yrs. old, Female, Rajaji National Park, UTTARAKHAND – http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tiger-2-leopards-found-dead-in-uttarakhand-national-park-1797745
- 1 Male, Kodogu, outside NAGARHOLE – Suspicious http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-found-dead-outside-Nagarahole-tiger-reserve/articleshow/18355365.cms?intenttarget=no
- 1 Tiger, Male, starvation, NAGARHOLE – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Nagarahole-tiger-reserve-reports-another-tiger-death/articleshow/18519010.cms
- NAGARHOLE 2nd Tigress, 8 yr. – Female, Poisoned, – (Note: Article notes that this is 2nd tigress death, we cannot find 1st tigress death article) http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/tigress-found-dead-near-hd-kote-was-poisoned/article4428816.ece
- 1 Tiger, Katni, MADHYA PRADESH, Electrocuted, – ( Article notes there are 3 others dead in last 6 months) http://zeenews.india.com/news/madhya-pradesh/another-tiger-killed-by-poachers-in-mp-forest_831540.html
- 1 Tiger, NAGARHOLE, Natural causes – http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/another-tiger-found-dead-in-nagarahole/article4453898.ece
- 1 Tiger, 15 yr. old, female, Similpali TR natural death http://www.odishareporter.in/top_news/royal-bengal-tiger-carcass-found-in-similipal
MARCH
- 1 Tiger, 9 yr. old, BANDIPUR, natural causes – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Tiger-found-dead-in-Bandipur/articleshow/18815284.cms
- 1 Tiger cub, Bechauri range CORBETT NP/RAMNAGAR < 1 yr. old, unknown – http://echoofindia.com/dehradun-tiger-cub-found-dead-24734
- 1 Tiger 8 yr. old , Udhagmanalam, TAMIL NADU, poisoning possible http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=447249&catid=36 (link broken)
- Jaws and bones of 1 Tiger, NEPAL (Bengal from India) – http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Two+held+with+tiger+bones&NewsID=368831
- 1 Tiger, 10 yr. old, poisoning, SUNDERBANS, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-carcass-found-in-Sunderbans/articleshow/18900006.cms?intenttarget=no
54 35 Tigers, NEPAL 35 Indian Bengal bodies seized (These Bengals are included in the death count due to the fact that the trafficking route of the poached Bengals has been identified coming from Uttarkhand, into Nepal and then were destined for China. These Tigers were 99% all from India. http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2013/could-tiger-deaths-from-january-seizures-rise-to-35/
55 1 Tiger, Poached, MAHARASHTRA (Poachers admit to tiger death in February however article published in March, so Tiger death is included in March) – http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-20/nagpur/37871375_1_tiger-reserve-pench-and-tadoba-landscape-with-high-hills
56. 1 Tiger, Female T-37, Suspicious death, RANTHAMBHORE NP, – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=511504635562991&set=a.118945501485575.7340.101654093214716&type=1&theater and http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tigress-found-dead-at-Ranthambore/articleshow/19052436.cms?intenttarget=no
APRIL
57. Bengal Tigress, Nagpur/MAHARASHTRA, natural death quills, possible poisoning – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tigress-found-dead-in-proposed-Mahendri-sanctuary/articleshow/19491250.cms?intenttarget=no
THERE COULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 9 TIGERS HERE GOING BY THIS ARTICLE – This article says the national tiger death count is 31 dead. However, that is excluding the 35 Bengal body parts found in Nepal. We have the count at 57, however if you minus the 35 Nepal tigers, that’s 22. This article states 31. We have missed 9 tiger deaths……. so the death count, including the 35 dead bengals from India and these 9 unknowns is 66. We will not add in the 9 unknowns yet……… also article claims there is 5 tigers dead in Nagpur since Jan 2013. Are these 5 included in the missing 10?
Note: 2nd figure accounts for missing 10 tigers e.g.: 57/67
58(67). 1 Bengal Tiger Cub, Train hit, Nagpur/MAHARASHTRA – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Speeding-train-knocks-dead-tiger-cub-injures-another/articleshow/19575773.cms
59(68) 1 Tiger, 6 year old male, CORBETT NATIONAL PARK spears, knifes, leg missing (Note: This article states 7 tigers dead in last 5 months) – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-was-found-dead-near-Corbett/articleshow/19625936.cms?intenttarget=no
60/(69) 1 Tiger cub, MADAHYA PRADESH, Pench Tiger Reserve, (Note: another Tiger death mentioned in Pench ) – http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/tiger-cub-found-dead-in-pench-reserve_844028.html
61/70 1 Tigress, T-17 RANTHAMBHORE, (Sundari) gone missing, counted as dead as she has never been found. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/five-tigers–missing–2-dead-in-ranthambhore-since-dec/1143362/
MAY
(Note: Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, not included yet, carried over April number 57 -noted by 2nd figure e.g. 60/70).
62/71 – 1 Tiger Poached, MADAHYA PRADESH – authorities claim this wasn’t poaching, however, skin and claws were missing. Bones found with villagers… http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Fresh-tiger-bones-seized-in-MP-six-held/articleshow/20004650.cms?intenttarget=no
63/72 –1 Tiger, 2 ½ yr old Tigress dead at waterhole, CORBETT NP – http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/tigress-found-dead_851203.html and https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=605374149482093&set=a.199510213401824.48764.128781897141323&type=1&theater
64/73 – 1 adult Tiger, skin found, poaching, Mysore, NAGARAHOLE – (Note: In this article 3 other tigers are mentioned. 2 poisoned, probably the 2 in February, however a 3rd 8yr of female also mentioned, dropped dead. This 3rd Tiger unaccounted for in any news articles at this point.) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Forest-officials-seize-tiger-pelt-big-cat-suspected-to-be-poached/articleshow/20277277.cms?prtpage=1
65/74 –1 Tiger, 6 yrs. old, dead CORBETT NP, injured/poached – (Note: In this article it states other 8 tiger deaths in this area. We have found only 4. We’re missing another 4 if this article is to be believed. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/another-big-cat-found-dead-in-uttarakhand/article1-1068075.aspx
66/75 – 1 Tiger 12 yr old, NAGARHOLE, territorial dispute – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Injured-tiger-found-dead-in-Nagarahole-infighting-suspected/articleshow/20353099.cms
67/76 – 1 Tiger – NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA. This Tiger was killed in May; however this article is from August about the poachers that were arrested in August. Because Tiger died in May, this article is placed in May. Died NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA in May 2013 – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Notorious-tiger-poachers-among-9-arrested-in-Pune/articleshow/21789162.cms
68/77 – Tala range, MADHYA PRADESH – 1 Tigress cub cornered by Tourism operators and forced into another Tigers territory and was killed by an adult male Tiger. (Badly written article, details similar to another, but slightly different and included atm) – http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-12/bhopal/39203229_1_tiger-cub-adult-male-tiger-bandhavgarh-tiger-reserve
JUNE
(Note: Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 57)
69/78 – 1 Tiger, Adult CORBETT NP, – 3 rd. Tiger dead within 1 week. Death unknown but other 2 were poached. http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/third-tiger-found-dead-near-corbett-in-a-week_852218.html
70/79 – Tigress T- 31 RANTHAMBHORE Missing for 5 months at the time of this article. T-31 disappeared in February 2013 now included in death count http://hillpost.in/2013/06/another-tigress-missing-from-ranthambore/83736/
75/84 – 5 Tigers killed, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA –Melghat area, Poached. (Note: Poachers said to have also confessed to 2 more tigers in Mandlar and Tumsa, that is 7 all up, not all included in count atm) – http://m.timesofindia.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Two-tiger-poachers-nabbed-confess-to-killing-five-tigers-in-Melghat/articleshow/20513159.cms
76/ 85 – 1 Tiger, Adult male, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA – Article says this is 7th Tiger killed in area since January 2013. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-found-dead-in-Hingna-range/articleshow/20513194.cms?intenttarget=no
80/89 – 4 Tigers, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA Poachers admitted to killing 9 (5 already noted above, leaving 4 admitted to)- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Not-5-poachers-kill-9-tigers-in-2-months/articleshow/20563859.cms
RANTHAMBHORE (there are 11 more unaccounted for Bengal deaths since 2010 but not counted in this death count for 2013) – http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/illegal-mining-disappearance-of-tigers-ranthambhore-national-park-india-today/1/284711.html
JULY
(Note: Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 57 and not included in count yet, however noted as a 2nd figure ie: 81/90 etc.)
(Article releases dead/missing tigers of Ranthambhore possibly bringing the Tiger death count higher, however not included in 2013 death count atm T-8, T-9,T-11, T-13,T-17, T-21, T-27, T-29, T-31, T-37, T-40 plus one un-named Tiger GONE. – http://news.oneindia.in/2013/07/01/ranthambore-rampant-mining-threat-big-cats-1249327.html not counted in this death count yet, except for T 17, T31, T37 these are included )
81/90 – 1 Tiger cub, death by adult Tiger, Bandhavgarh, MAHARASHTRA – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-cub-found-dead-in-Bandhavgarh/articleshow/20936813.cms?intenttarget=no
82/91 – 1 adult Tiger, poisoned, KAZIRANGA NP. Article goes on to say that farmers in the area have engaged in poisoning of the Tigers over time, but do not give a figure as to how many. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Two-arrested-for-poisoning-tiger-at-Kaziranga-park/articleshow/22639222.cms
AUGUST
No deaths recorded at this time for the month of August.
SEPTEMBER
Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 57 and not included in count yet, however noted as a 2nd figure ie: 83/90 etc.
83/92 1 Bengal Tiger, Skin and bones seized, BHUTAN, although Tiger skin was seized in Bhutan, the criminals were 2 Indian men staying at a unit and tip offs from within and outside of India identified this probable cross boarder smuggling/poaching. This was a Bengal Tiger and is included in India’s Bengal Tiger death count http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=31811
OCTOBER
(Note: Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 56 and not included in count yet, however noted as a 2nd figure ie: 83/90 etc.)
84/93 – 1 Poached tiger, body parts missing, Melghat MAHARASHTRA – Again authorities claim it was not poaching however “sources” say paws, nails and several body parts are missing…we class this as a poaching. ( Note: This article also states 10th Tiger death since Jan 2013, we have 12, this one makes 13, however there are the another 9 unknown deaths which we are carrying over, but not yet included in death count. ) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/One-more-tiger-poached-in-Maharashtras-Melghat/articleshow/23938295.cms
85/94 –1 Tiger, Large Male, suspected Poisoned/Revenge, Kanha Reserve, MADHYA PRADESH – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Tiger-found-dead-in-Kanha-National-Park/articleshow/24305117.cms
92/101 – Another 7 unknown Tiger deaths, 5 in MAHARASHTRA and 2 in MADYA PRADESH. (Note: This article goes onto to say, 5 skins were seized on May 30 in this October article, and also states poachers were identified as killing another 5, that equals 10 tigers. But are the 5 in Maharashtra & 2 in Madhya Pradesh separate to the 5 skins seized and the other 5 tigers poached?? That would make – 17 tigers?? We’ll go with the headline of 7 unknowns for now, however the other 10 are noted….) http://www.indianexpress.com/news/7-tigers-killed-this-year-minister-says-has-no-clue/1181477/0
93/102 – Valmiki Tiger Reserve, BIHAR/UTTAR PRADESH- Tiger bones found with poachers (maybe 2 Tigers but unconfirmed, bears and tigers) Bones are thought to be old, however as this is the first time this tiger has been found, it is included in the 2013 death count. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131010/jsp/bihar/story_17441918.jsp#.Ur4yvdY0VI6
94/103 – KAZIRANGA – 1 Tiger death, territorial dispute – http://tigertime.info/blog/113/99/Tiger-carcass-found-in-Kaziranga
NOVEMBER
(Note: Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 56 and not included in count yet, however noted as a 2nd figure ie: 83/90 etc.)
113/122 – 19 Tigers Missing, Buxa NP, BIHAR/UTTAR PRADESH (probable cross border trade, linked to article 97/107, same location/area) Parallels have been drawn between Buxa and Sariska NP (Sariska lost all its tigers to poachers in 2004) without a trace. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Where-have-all-the-Buxa-tigers-gone/articleshow/25150240.cms
114/123 – MAHARASHTRA – 1 Tigress, snared and then beaten to death, then skinned and body parts removed. Killed in October 2013 but article published November. – http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/five-tiger-poachers-held-in-joint-operation.html
115/124 – 1 Tiger, 4yr old cub, male Tiger, CORBETT NP, Territorial death (Note: unconfirmed date) http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/third-tiger-death-in-a-month-at-corbett-14269
116/125 1 Tiger cub, 6 months old. Bandhavgarh, MADHYA PRADESH. Article also states another cub was found dead in May, see post 70/80. – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Tiger-cub-found-dead-at-Bandhavgarh/articleshow/25531224.cms
117/126 – 1 Male Tiger, Kanha, MADHYA PRADESH – Cause of death unknown http://metroindia.com/Details.aspx?id=6953
118/127 – 1 Tiger, Pilhibit, LUCKNOW, possible poisoning – http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-28/lucknow/44546301_1_pilibhit-forest-area-forest-department
DECEMBER
(Nine possible deaths, NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA, carried over from April, number 57 and not included in count yet, however noted as a 2nd figure ie: 83/90 etc.
119/128 – 1 female Tigress, KAZIRANGA – possible territorial fight http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/tiger-found-dead-in-kaziranga/articleshow/26714093.cms
121/130 – 2 Tigers, poached, Trapped, killed and skinned them. UTTAR PRADESH – http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/two-tigers-killed-near-corbett-11-poachers-arrested-459968
122/131 – 1 Tiger, possible poisoning, Bandipur, UTTAR PRADESH – http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/tiger-found-dead-in-bandipur/article5482443.ece
123/132 – 1 Tigress, Ampokhra Range, UTTARAKHAND – snare/clutch wire – http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/army-depot-incharge-booked-for-tigress-death.html
124/133 – 1 6year old female Tiger, Shot/Poisoned and dumped in a canal Mysore, NAGARAHOLE
125/134 – 1 Tiger body (it’s thought) 15 tiger claws, 2 canines – Mysore, NAGARAHOLE http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131230/news-current-affairs/article/10-poachers-madhya-pradesh-nabbed
SUB TOTAL = 125 RECORDED TIGER DEATHS
+ Nine possible deaths, Nagpur, carried over from April, number 56, still unidentified and will be included in sub total
Sub Total = 134.
+ Another 20 Tiger deaths admitted to by poachers- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/More-than-20-tigers-poached-says-arrested-trader-Sarju/articleshow/22550019.cms
Sub Total 134 + 20 deaths = 154
Tiger smuggling racket busted in Delhi, unknown number of Tigers smuggled. A conservative estimate for this smugglers 2013 – 20 tigers. (Note: we believe our conservative estimate is highly underestimated, this is logical ) http://news.ava360.com/tiger-smuggling-racket-busted-in-delhi-video_f53d4ae0f.html
Sub Total 154 + conservative estimate of + 20 more = 174
+ Extra Tigers that we don’t know about mentioned in above articles comes to approximately 20 more.
Sub Total of 174 + another 20 = 194
Only 3 syndicates caught this year, that public knows about. Each syndicate has about 20 tiger deaths to their names. However, there would be approximately another 150 – 170 tiger syndicates working in India and many more tigers would be killed that we do not know about.
An approximate figure of the unknowns from other syndicates – 60
Sub Total of 194 + estimated 60 unknown syndicate kills = 254
254 Tiger Deaths as of 31th Dec 2013. (But there’s probably more…..)
The Frustration of Tiger Conservationists
35 Bengals – Number 55 – After former vice-chairman of Uttarakhand’s Forest and Environment Advisory Committee Anil Baluni was informed that the haul of tiger parts included 140 canine teeth (4 canines per tiger) equalling at least 35 tigers killed, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Administration and Intelligence, and chief of the Anti-Poaching Cell, SK Dutt said he was not aware of the claims of the canines being part of the haul but that telephone communications between Uttarakhand and Nepal is not ideal……
Baluni said, “The (Indian) Uttarakhand Forest department has done nothing since the details of this seizure were revealed”.
Noted Moments of Despair
Call to Kill “Man eater Tigers”
In November 2013, a tiger in Bandipur had tragically killed several people. This Tiger was said to have been humanely caught after a wide search and after labelling him as a “man eater”. The Tiger that was caught was battered, old, and suffering injuries.
In response to the capture of this tiger, noted wildlife biologist, K Ullas Karanth, stated there must be “swift killing” to confirmed man-eater tigers and stated that “we can’t be sentimental about this”. This stirred a very hot debate, angering many. Here is his article, its also worth reading the responses. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Maneaters-must-be-swiftly-killed/articleshow/27098086.cms
A true man eater is very rare. Many aspects and characteristics go in calling a Tiger a man eater which we will not go into now. However briefly, any Tiger can kill a human, but not all are the rare true man eater. If we were to believe every time someone claimed there was a man eater in India, the entire country would be swamped with the so called «man – eaters».
The injured battered male Tiger that was caught was examined, and there was no trace of human body parts inside of him….. Since he has been caught, there has been another human death, said to be a Tiger, in Bandipur……. (Here is a article on it. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/dismembered-body-of-man-found-in-bandipur-forests-sparks-apprehension-of-tiger-attack/article5508117.ece )
Yes, only if the true rare confirmed “man eater” IS identified…. And how are you going to do that if a “swift killing” is done. This boy, who was labelled “man-eater”, and apparently was feasting on a human within hours of being caught, had no trace of any human body part in his body, but he nearly lost his life due to being labelled “man- eater”. Yes there is a denial that the current killing of a human is the real Tiger that was doing the killing, but if Bandipur is serious about Tiger and human protection, then they would have vigilant trackers and patrols in place to identify these Tigers fast, sedate them, and either rehome or place into a sanctuary.
Its all very good to state “swift killing of true man-eaters”, but until a way to 100% confirm that fact, and until there is 100% protection of the precious last few Bengals is in place, then every last tiger should be treated as “Royalty”.
A statement, from a noted wildlife biologist, that saddened so many conservationists.
They Don’t Want This Tiger Back
A wild male tiger wandered out of the wild and into a zoological garden (for safety and peace I presume) and made it his territory. Of course the zoo staff was shocked to see this wild boy making his home inside a zoo. (How ironic). NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority India) supports the rehome/relocation of him back into the wild. However, this is where everything turns pear shaped – his home range of Satkosia does not want him back. This is seriously disturbing. But what is more disturbing is the reasons why they don’t want him back. Forestry Dept. of Satkosia says they haven’t got enough «manpower» to monitor and protect the tigers. This is an all too common excuse or reason. There are a lot of questions regarding where all funds which were raised for the Tigers is going to. Some believe that it is a case of some people in the charge of the “money handling” taking what they think they are entitled to.
This article begs the questions do the authorities truly want to save the Bengals? Or do they simply not know how to? Either way, I would like to check how many have nicely lined pockets…
A statement, from an Indian Government authority, that saddened so many conservationists.
The Wild Bengal Death Count 2013 – Cee4life
Conclusion
UTTAR PRADESH – BUXA – Possible complete extinction of entire local population of Buxa Tigers (19 Missing Tigers) + another 3 multiple tiger death incidents (close to border and wildlife trade/poacher route to Nepal – China) and probably the 35 Bengals found in Nepal
NAGPUR/MAHARASHTRA – 19 multiple tiger death incidents
UTTARAKHAND – 11 multiple tiger death incidents
RANTHAMBHORE – Multiple tiger deaths 11 unaccounted for Tigers
MADHYA PRADESH – 7 single poaching incidents
NAGARAHOLE – 6 multiple tiger death incidents
KAZIRANGA – 4 single tiger death incidents
SUNDERBANS – 2 incidents
NEPAL – Multiple Indian Tiger Deaths
BHUTAN – Indian Bengal tiger trafficking 1 incident
SIMILIPAL – 1 incident – worrying as this is isolated.
A logical conclusion is easy to see. These areas above are heavily targeted by poachers and a dedicated effort by the Government to implement professional protection teams to monitor 24/7, in addition, the Government must ensure that all funding FOR THE TIGERS, goes TO THE TIGERS, and the Indian Government must finally SUPPORT the true conservationists on the ground fighting such a terrible battle.
This is the worst report we have ever done, and it may make some angry, you may not believe the horrendous death count of 254, but you can see it as clear as I can.
The Bengal Tigers of India are targeted by those who could not care less about conservation, and they purely care about the money to be earned from the heinous wildlife trade, and of course the sinister TCM ABP.
Care now before it is too late.
CEE4LIFE – 2013
Thankyou to Michael John Vickers of http://www.tigersintheforest.co.uk/ for the wonderful photographs of the wild Bengal Tigers of India.
Special thanks to Dawn Warren Flann for her superb help with this report.
SEE THE BEAUTY, KNOW THEIR IMPORTANCE, CARE ENOUGH AND ACT
Sybelle Foxcroft
Carmen Rivero Colina 