Gujarat Welcomes Back a Tiger After Over Three Decades
In a remarkable wildlife event, Gujarat has witnessed the uninterrupted one-year stay of a solitary tiger, ending a 33-year period without a resident big cat in the state. This milestone, achieved on Sunday, has reignited hopes among conservationists and forest officials, who now aim to transform Gujarat into a full-fledged tiger state, potentially hosting all three of India's iconic big cats: the Asiatic lion, the tiger, and the leopard.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
Gujarat had effectively been considered a non-tiger state since the 1989 census, which relied largely on pug mark evidence. In 1992, due to a lack of photographic proof, the state was excluded from subsequent national tiger estimations. A brief reappearance in Mahisagar district in February 2019 sparked optimism, but that tiger died within a fortnight, reportedly due to starvation.
Then, on February 22, 2025, a lone tiger entered Gujarat, and by December 2025, the state formally regained its tiger-bearing status. The current tiger established a territory that gradually expanded from approximately 120 square kilometers to nearly 150 square kilometers in eastern Gujarat.
Conservation Efforts Intensify
Encouraged by this development, the Gujarat forest department has stepped up conservation measures. Chief Conservator of Forests Sandeep Kumar stated that habitat improvement, water management, and prey augmentation works were carried out within the tiger's territory. Ungulates were released to bolster prey density, and dedicated funds were allocated for ecological restoration.
Kumar emphasized that the department is now focused on institutional preparedness. "We are in the process of forming a dedicated rescue and rehabilitation team. Cages and equipment are being procured to ensure swift response in case of emergency," he said. Around 100 high-tech camera traps have been ordered and will soon be installed to strengthen monitoring and gather photographic evidence.
Officials explained that the rescue team was formed to ensure expert manpower is ready with equipment to prevent major casualties if the tiger needs to be rescued.
Intriguing Behavioral Changes and Surveillance
Forest staff reported scratch markings throughout the 150 square kilometer territory—a behavior associated with scent marking and territorial assertion. Interestingly, such markings were not observed earlier. "We also noted variations in pug marks, raising suspicion of a possible second tiger entering the landscape. However, there was no visual confirmation so far. The scratch marking is a significant behavioral change. It could indicate either territorial consolidation by the resident tiger or possible fresh intrusion," an officer said.
Surveillance has been intensified to determine whether Gujarat may soon host more than one tiger, adding a new layer of intrigue to the conservation efforts.
Tiger's Behavior and Prey Analysis
Forest officials confirmed that the tiger has proven to be a strictly wild hunter during its one-year stay. Scat analysis by research teams showed the tiger's primary prey to be barking deer, with traces of nilgai and wild boar. Officials noted there was no evidence of livestock predation, and the animal has largely remained within forested zones, avoiding human settlements, which reduces the risk of conflict.
Aspirations for a Rare Conservation Distinction
Gujarat is already the only home of the Asiatic lion, found in Gir National Park, and supports a robust leopard population. With the tiger's return, the state now aspires to sustain the Bengal tiger, the Asiatic lion, and the Indian leopard together—a rare conservation distinction that could set a precedent in wildlife management.
Senior forest officials believe that if habitat connectivity, prey density, and protection efforts continue to improve, Gujarat could see a gradual increase in tiger presence in the coming years. For now, the tiger's one-year stay stands as both a symbolic comeback and a practical foundation for restoring Gujarat's place on India's tiger map.
