Explanation:

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan has seen a growth of 45% in big cat population in the last eight years.

However, it has caused concern over not having adequate space for the tigers in the reserve to mark their territory.

Approximate a dozen of the tigers have no territory and have been pushed out to the periphery posing a threat to the nearby human habitats.

According to officials, of the total tigers in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, about a dozen adults between the age of 3-5 years have no territory and are moving in the periphery.

According to Ranthambore reserve Field director, dispersal of adult tigers has increased because of congestion and these dozen tigers are a concern for them as they don’t have a territory. Tigers are dominant territorial animals who normally do not allow another feline within their territory.

Presence of tigers on periphery is a concern as they could be poached, plus human conflict cannot be ruled out, they can even drift outside and go missing like the 12 others as reported. The only solution in this regard is creation of effective corridors and relocation to other deficit reserves.

Meanwhile, official reports also claim that the survival rate of cubs has also reduced by 30%, which in 2018 was 100%. It says that in 2018, four cubs were born and all survived, whereas in 2022, of the 11 born three died.