Melanistic tiger killed by poachers from Lodha tribe in Similipal Tiger Reserve

Bhubaneswar: Lodha tribe members, who are very few in number but are ferocious wildlife offenders, were involved in poaching of the rare melanistic tiger in Similipal Tiger Reserve on Wednesday, wildlife authorities said on Friday. Prakash Gogineni, Similipal field director, said the Lodha community members don't have any other livelihood option apart from hunting wild animals. "It is not uncommon for the Lodha tribe to carry certain weapons (maybe a gun or a bow and arrow) and enter the forest from whatever way they are familiar with. It is routine work for them as they need meat to eat and sell the surplus in case they can't consume it," Gogineni added.
In Wednesday's incident though, the four arrested men's interrogation revealed that the melanistic tiger was not their target. "The way they extracted the animal's hide and nails from the tiger's carcass suggests that they had never killed a big cat before," Gogineni said, adding, "We will try to elicit more information from them during questioning during the remand period. The remand period may also help us know if they contacted some traders to sell the hide and nails."
On Wednesday, a melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by poachers in Similipal, which is the world's only habitat where some estimated 20 black-striped cats remain. The wildlife wing's special enforcement cell confirmed that the animal poached and skinned was a sub-adult. Four persons were arrested in this regard.
Lodha community members are considered a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and there are around 400 families in two panchayats in Mayurbhanj district. They are hardcore hunters who have no respect for wildlife conservation. Whatever animals they encounter, they kill, officials said.
"Mayurbhanj district's Udala, Kaptipada and Baripada blocks have areas that run along Similipal boundaries, which make it porous. The tribals consider Similipal their own treasure with scant regard for conservation efforts. The forest department should work more towards generating awareness and livelihood options to stop their hunting propensity," veteran conservationist of the area, Bhanumitra Acharya, said.
On Wednesday, wildlife experts observed that considering the fact that a sub-adult tiger usually doesn't disperse and prefers to stay around its mother, it is puzzling how this one walked alone into the fringe zone. Either the poachers entered deeper into the forest, or the cub was not far away from its mother. During its hunting, the mother must have been around.
Bhubaneswar: Lodha tribe members, who are very few in number but are ferocious wildlife offenders, were involved in poaching of the rare melanistic tiger in Similipal Tiger Reserve on Wednesday, wildlife authorities said on Friday. Prakash Gogineni, Similipal field director, said the Lodha community members don't have any other livelihood option apart from hunting wild animals. "It is not uncommon for the Lodha tribe to carry certain weapons (maybe a gun or a bow and arrow) and enter the forest from whatever way they are familiar with. It is routine work for them as they need meat to eat and sell the surplus in case they can't consume it," Gogineni added.
In Wednesday's incident though, the four arrested men's interrogation revealed that the melanistic tiger was not their target. "The way they extracted the animal's hide and nails from the tiger's carcass suggests that they had never killed a big cat before," Gogineni said, adding, "We will try to elicit more information from them during questioning during the remand period. The remand period may also help us know if they contacted some traders to sell the hide and nails."
On Wednesday, a melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by poachers in Similipal, which is the world's only habitat where some estimated 20 black-striped cats remain. The wildlife wing's special enforcement cell confirmed that the animal poached and skinned was a sub-adult. Four persons were arrested in this regard.
Lodha community members are considered a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and there are around 400 families in two panchayats in Mayurbhanj district. They are hardcore hunters who have no respect for wildlife conservation. Whatever animals they encounter, they kill, officials said.
"Mayurbhanj district's Udala, Kaptipada and Baripada blocks have areas that run along Similipal boundaries, which make it porous. The tribals consider Similipal their own treasure with scant regard for conservation efforts. The forest department should work more towards generating awareness and livelihood options to stop their hunting propensity," veteran conservationist of the area, Bhanumitra Acharya, said.
On Wednesday, wildlife experts observed that considering the fact that a sub-adult tiger usually doesn't disperse and prefers to stay around its mother, it is puzzling how this one walked alone into the fringe zone. Either the poachers entered deeper into the forest, or the cub was not far away from its mother. During its hunting, the mother must have been around.