Starving Tiger in Jamshedpur’s Dalma sparks fear among villagers

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Feb 16: A tiger trapped in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is reportedly starving, sparking fear among residents in 86 surrounding villages. The last hunting incident occurred on January 30, when the tiger killed a calf belonging to Raju Najhi in Tankocha village. Since then, the tiger has been unable to find any other prey and the forest department has not found any remains of its possible kills. Experts state that a tiger can survive without food for 10 to 15 days, but after this period, it needs to hunt. This has raised concerns that the tiger may venture into the villages in search of food and potentially target livestock.

Following the calf’s death, the tiger also attacked Raju Manjhi’s cow and bull, although the remains of the calf were recovered the following day. Villagers, fearful of further attacks, have become more cautious and no longer leave their cattle in the forest. Retired ranger Ramji Rai explained that tigers can survive up to 15 days without food but may begin seeking out human settlements for sustenance if prey remains scarce. Villagers have been warned not to leave cows, bulls, or calves unattended. Despite the tiger’s presence in Dalma for the last three days, no additional reports of animal hunting have surfaced. The forest department is considering providing food to the tiger within the sanctuary to prevent it from entering the villages. Saba Alam Ansari, the DFO, confirmed that the tiger’s movements are being closely monitored.

The tiger’s situation is further complicated as it is trapped in Dalma due to the region’s mountainous terrain and dense human population. The tiger, unfamiliar with the area, is finding it difficult to navigate through the unknown forest. There are growing concerns that prolonged isolation and lack of food could cause the tiger to fall into depression. The forest department is taking measures to ensure its well-being.

Experts from the Wildlife Institute of Delhi have been brought in to study the tiger’s paw prints in Dalma, hoping to track its movements and understand which direction it is trying to take. Tigers typically roam plains where they can run freely to hunt, but Dalma’s hilly environment makes it harder for the tiger to find prey and presents risks, such as falling into ditches while running. The tiger has been roaming within a 50 km radius of Dalma, causing growing anxiety among local villagers. The tiger was first seen in the Khunti forest on December 31 last year and the forest department believes it originally hailed from the Palamu Tiger Reserve. It is now feared that, due to the lack of natural prey in Dalma, the tiger could become reliant on livestock, increasing the risk of conflict with local villagers.

Animal expert Prasenjit Sarkar warns that such a scenario could be dangerous for both the tiger and the villagers. If the tiger begins attacking cattle, the situation could escalate, heightening tensions and potentially leading to violence. Additionally, prolonged isolation could lead to the tiger’s depression, further altering its behavior.

In response to these concerns, the forest department has ramped up vigilance in the 85 villages surrounding Dalma. Forest workers are visiting villages, advising residents not to venture outside at night. Villagers have also been instructed to tie goats or chickens along the roads leading to their communities. If the tiger approaches the village, it may prey on these animals, giving villagers a chance to react and prevent direct confrontation. The forest department is continuing to monitor the tiger closely to ensure the safety of both the local community and the animal.