Tiger to roar soon in Sariska

Jaipur, Jun 27 (UNI) Tiger roars will again echo the jungles of Sariska Tiger Sanctuary after four years as authorities are all set to undertake mission relocation, bringing in the big cats from Ranthambhore sanctuary.

All arrangements have been made and the relocation would be done any time soon depending on the weather conditions and availability of helicopter, a Wildlife Department official told UNI over phone from Ranthambhore.

Trial run of helicopter with empty cage and dummy of the animal was performed here today, he said.

Two enclosures have also been set up in sanctuary core area where the animals would be kept initially for some days, the official added.

Radio collars have already been tied to tigresses and tigers marked for air lifting from Ranthambhore to Sariska, he informed.

The mission being undertaken jointly by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India, Wildlife Institute of India and the Rajasthan Wildlife Department is aimed at re-habilitation of tigers in the sanctuary from where they disappeared in mysterious circumstances sometime in 2004.

Since then, there has been no tiger in the sanctuary.

After much hue and cry and protracted debates at different fora, the wildlife experts and officials have decided to re-introduce tigers in this sanctuary from nearby Ranthambhore sanctuary.

Initially two to three big cats, one to two tigresses and one tiger are proposed to be air lifted in a phased manner.

UNI SS RJ BD1712