Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Telegraph picture

Patna. Oct. 24: Free of patrolling burden, there has been a marked improvement in the data collected by Valmiki Tiger Reserve’s (VTR’s) big cat trackers deputed in its eight ranges — Madanpur, Harnatar, Valmikinagar, Ganauli, Chiutaha, Raghia, Govardhana and Manguraha.

The latest data collected by the tiger trackers deputed in Madanpur range suggest it is home to four big cats. Earlier, it was estimated that it had just three tigers. After the mystery death of a tigress in March 2010, it was believed only two tigers were left in the range.

“The data collected by the trackers suggest that there are one adult tiger, two tigresses and a cub in the range,” VTR field director Santosh Tiwari told The Telegraph.

He said the data had turned out to be a pleasant surprise as it was assumed that after the death of the tigress, only two big cats were left in the range.

Similarly, the data collected from Manguraha range suggest the presence of two adult tigers, a sub-adult big cat and two cubs.

The tiger trackers also traced signs of presence of an adult tiger each in the Ganauli and Valmikinagar ranges.

Based on the information gathered by the trackers, the VTR management would install camera traps in the areas where signs of tigers’ presence had been found. “Camera traps would give us conclusive evidence about the exact number of felines,” Tiwari said.

Sharing details about the changes introduced in the responsibilities of tiger trackers, the director said the trackers were no more engaged in patrolling work. Now, all the 90 trackers are sent to the field well before sunrise.

After spending about six hours in the forest they come back and report to the respective range officers. They go to the woods again after sunset and spend few hours in their respective areas.

The new timing of trackers has been set in accordance with the general nature of movement of felines, as they remain highly active between dusk and dawn.

Earlier, the trackers used to be part of patrolling parties and generally moved with them in the day. Hence, they rarely used to find signs of tigers’ presence.

The information gathered by the trackers is also being used to decide the movement of patrolling parties, as the management has decided to pay more attention to the areas likely to be inhabited by the felines to minimise human interference.

The VTR management has roped in services of 41 youths for patrolling duty. This arrangement has been made in addition to the existing personnel at the disposal of the management.

“We have divided the reserve into 20 beats and each one is patrolled by a team of five members. The routes of these teams are decided in the morning by the range officer,” Tiwari said.