Pugmark Match Confirms Tiger's Presence, Sparks Surveillance Surge
Forest officials in Gujarat have confirmed a significant wildlife development after discovering that the pugmarks of a tiger spotted in Chhota Udepur district are strikingly similar to those of a big cat that has been living in the Ratanmahal area for nearly ten months. This finding has intensified monitoring efforts along the state's border.
Forensic Analysis of the Footprints
Officials who conducted a detailed examination of the pugmarks reported a compelling match. At least three of the footprints were found to be identical to those from Ratanmahal. A couple of other marks showed a minor variation of only 0.5cm to 1cm, which experts attribute to natural factors.
A senior officer from Gandhinagar explained the variation, stating, "This is normal as the size and depth of the pugmarks depend on the surface on which they are found." The officer elaborated that on soft sand, impressions can be deeper, while on wet or hard surfaces, the width and appearance change. Furthermore, in several locations, cattle had walked over the tracks, obscuring the original prints, which has increased the department's reliance on technological evidence.
Enhanced Monitoring and Official Conclusions
While the current assessment points to the presence of a single tiger within Gujarat's territory, authorities are not completely dismissing the possibility of another big cat in the vicinity. To obtain definitive proof, the forest department has ordered a new set of high-resolution camera traps. These cameras will be strategically installed along the border with Madhya Pradesh, a known tiger territory, within the next couple of days.
The primary goal of this enhanced surveillance is to track the animal's movements. The senior officer emphasized, "Monitoring will establish if the tiger that has made Gujarat its home moves out of the state or stays within the state boundaries." Notably, the tiger in question has not been tagged by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), unlike a previous sighting in Mahisagar in 2019, which was quickly confirmed due to a tag.
The Human Encounter and Territorial Range
The recent flurry of activity was triggered by a confirmed sighting from a local watchman in Chhota Udepur. The encounter was so intense that the watchman was reportedly left severely shaken. An official revealed, "He came face to face with the tiger, and the shock left him bedridden" with a high fever following the incident.
Based on the latest evidence, the tiger was last seen approximately 15 kilometers from its known habitat in Ratanmahal. This movement falls well within the typical territorial range of a big cat, which officials estimate to be between 80 to 100 square kilometers. The forest department's proactive steps aim to ensure both the safety of the animal and the local communities while gathering crucial data on this majestic visitor's behavior.
