Tiger inbreeding, the new worry in Sariska

NOT BURNING BRIGHT: The tiger repopulation success story is raising more questions than solutions.

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Jaipur: The Sariska Tiger Reserve has been in news ever since the Government claimed success in relocating three tigers from the Ranthambore national park a year ago.

But now the long delay in the mating of these tigers is raising questions over the repopulation success story, especially with reports emerging that the relocated tigers are siblings.

“Even if the breeding takes place between the sibling tigers then you will see because of inbreeding the tigers in Sariska will get wiped out again in another 10-15 years, and this time it will be because of the government and WII officials' fault,” former chief wildlife warden, Jaipur, BD Sharma said.

Already, the inbreeding among tigers in Ranthambhor is one of the reasons for the decreasing tiger population there. Wildlife experts say relocating tigers from Panna or any other tiger reserve could be a solution.

With criticism mounting, the Government is now preparing to carry out a DNA test of the tigers.

“With the help of DNA test every individual tiger will get a specific coding,” DFO, Jaipur, Sunayan Sharma said.

Plans are now on to relocate more tigers to Sariska. But tiger lovers are hoping that the Government realises that given the dwindling tiger population in the country, this is not the best time to experiment.