Should Relocating of Big Cats and Other Wild Carnivores be Discontinued?

Close up of a tiger

In the wild places of Africa and Asia, conflicts between big cats and people are inevitable when the two species live side-by-side. Whenever an incident of an attack arises, the response is to relocate the big cat so that it doesn't stray into human settlements. However, this simple and direct method is not working out in the end. One such example occurred sometime ago when a six-year-old lioness named Magigi was captured and relocated to Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve after repeatedly killing cattle. Although she spent most of her life in the reserve, Magigi strayed outside its boundaries after a year and was shot dead by a farmer. New research has shown that lions continue to prey on livestock and threaten villagers' livelihoods after being relocated. In Botswana, 13 relocated lions that were observed by a team of scientists died within a year of being moved. Some were killed by people in retaliation, while others probably succumbed to the stress.

A lion in Botswana

In India, a tiger relocation project took place in 2018 when two tigers from Madhya Pradesh, a male named Mahavir of Kanha National Park and a female named Sundari of Bandhavgarh National Park, were relocated in Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The purpose of the relocation was to increase the state's tiger population. But within weeks, the project ran into trouble with villagers living on the edge of the reserve protesting the tigers' relocation. The issue eventually escalated into a political matter. Angry tribal people attacked forest officials as they were evicted from the core area to the outer fringes of the reserve. Within months of relocation, Mahavir was killed by poachers and later Sundari had to be moved to an enclosure after killing two villagers. The project was ultimately suspended.

A tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park

I used to think that relocation of wild carnivorous animals away from human habitations is an effective way to minimize conflicts. However, a 1997 review of studies from around the world has indicated that most carnivores try to return to areas in the vicinity of human settlements after being relocated far away. An investigation from 2011 confirmed that the method is more expensive and less effective than alternative methods. This goes to show that mitigating human-wildlife conflict is a very complex issue that requires a multi-step approach. But based on the global studies, I don't think relocating wild carnivores should be discontinued. It is very important to monitor individual big cats and other carnivores after they have been relocated to see how long they spend time far away from human settlements and when they start coming back. However, in addition to relocating wild carnivores, it is highly crucial to improvise human settlements by building some kind of a barricade in the vicinity to prevent the animals from re-entering. There is also a great need to conduct awareness programs geared at educating local villagers about the importance of wild carnivores, the roles they play in nature, and why retaliatory killings are not the answer in preventing human-wildlife conflicts. Populations of wild carnivores have depleted dramatically over the years, with Africa's lion populations having plummeted by 43 percent in the past 20 years. Much of the depletion is attributed to development, along with reduction in prey populations and retaliatory killings. It is high time to take intense preventive measurements to prevent conflicts between wild carnivores and people.

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Can Bringing Herbivores Help Benefit Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park?

Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park facts

In India, the National Capital Territory of Delhi saw the inauguration of Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park on February 3 2018. The area is comprised of grasslands and hilly terrain with over 105 species of trees and shrubs. In addition, 103 birds, 32 butterflies, 15 reptiles and amphibians, and 8 mammals call the area home. Now recently, plans are underway to repopulate the park with herbivore species. According to park officials, they are in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department to translocate the animals. They are also hopeful that herbivores would migrate from the neighboring Aravalli mountain range in Haryana and Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. The purpose of introducing herbivores would help diversify the park ecologically. C.R Babu, professor emeritus and head of Delhi University's Center for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystem, stated that the first phase of herbivore introduction focuses on chital (spotted deer) and chinkara (Indian gazelle). Then, the diversification process may be directed at bringing in others like hog deer which will require a specialized grassland. Park officials pointed out that the only carnivores confirmed in the park are civets. However, in the past, local villagers have reported sighting leopards and hyenas in the area. But these were thought to have strayed into the vicinity briefly from the Aravallis. The introduction of herbivores in Tilpath Valley would attract leopards and hyenas thus further diversifying the park.

Forest cover in Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park

I really admire the efforts forest officials are putting to diversify Tilpath Valley. Doing so can further benefit the park's ecosystem. Currently, the only herbivorous species documented in the park is the nilgai (blue bull). The largest antelope in India, its sheer size makes it an ideal prey for lions and tigers. Don't get me wrong; leopards also prey on nilgai but they prefer medium-sized prey like deer. Hyenas, on the other hand, work either alone or in pairs compared to their pack-oriented African counterparts. So taking on a full-grown nilgai would not be worth a risk. This is why I hope the habitat of Tilpath Valley will attract medium-sized herbivores via migration and in turn bring leopards and hyenas into the area. I would also suggest that the nilgai population should be closely monitored. In areas lacking presence of powerful predators, they could negatively impact the ecological balance by multiplying. For this reason, I believe it is important to possibly consider bringing tigers into Tilpath Valley to keep the nilgai and other herbivore populations in check. But as of right now, the park needs more herbivores to benefit the carnivore populations.

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New Hope for Red Wolves?

Red wolf

The red wolf currently numbers around seven collared individuals and a dozen or so uncollared individuals in the wilds of northeastern North Carolina, making it one of the most critically endangered species in the U.S. The vast majority of these wild individuals reside in 1.7 million acres of public and private land in Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties. Meanwhile, more than 200 animals live in captive facilities across the country. With such a low population, it is no wonder that a federal judge ruled last week that the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must release captive wolves into the management area. The judge, Terrence Boyle of North Carolina's Eastern District, joined with conservation groups concluding that the agency was "likely" in violation of the Endangered Species Act and must take urgent actions to save the wolves. In response to a 2018 federal notice by the FWS that current controls limit the release of captive wolves, Judge Boyle stated that their future depended on it. He also overruled the agency in October 2020 in a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, when he ordered the FWS to revise its red wolf management plan by February 2023. In authorizing plaintiffs' motion for preliminary ruling, he ordered the agency to establish a plan by March 1, 2021 to proceed releasing captive wolves in the Red Wolf Recovery Area. But he stopped short of mandating a specific number.

Red wolf running

It looks like to me there is a sign of hope for red wolves regarding their reintroduction back into the wild. These animals once numbered about 130 to as much as 150 wild individuals in 2005. However, by 2012, the recovery program was hampered by the following conflicts: more wolves were being killed by guns, poisoned or vehicles, and interbreeding with coyotes. At the same time, public and political attitudes turned against the wolves, and by 2015, the FWS cut down on management plans. The situation sparked outrage among conservation groups and many filed lawsuits against the agency on grounds of the violation of the Endangered Species Act. The Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife and the Animal Welfare Institute, argued in a November 2020 lawsuit that the FWS had failed to maintain its responsibility under the act to carry out management drills to conserve the wolves. It also called for the court to order urgent reinstatement of the practice of repopulating wild wolves with captive-bred individuals.

Red wolf howling

I feel that this is a high time to reintroduce red wolves back into their former habitats. These animals once ranged throughout the southeastern U.S from the Ohio River Valley and central Pennsylvania to southeastern Missouri and Central Texas before being confined to North Carolina. In addition to North Carolina, I think it is essential to identify potential release sites for red wolves in the region. For example, the wolf population in Florida's St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge are raised in captivity and need to be released on the state's mainland where the species was once extinct. Releasing red wolves in places where they had disappeared from can benefit the ecosystems such as keeping deer and other prey populations under control. I would also suggest that awareness programs need to be implemented in order to educate the public about red wolves and how they are beneficial for the well-being of southeastern U.S. Furthermore, coyotes are not native to North Carolina so it is essential to eradicate them and this in my opinion requires careful and precise planning in order to avoid any accidental killings of red wolves. Red wolves are on the precipice of extinction and it is high time to repopulate them and bring them back from the brink.

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Odisha's Blackbuck Conservation- A Village Community Effort

 

A blackbuck pair in the outskirts of Odisha's Bhetnoi village.

In India, there is a religious sect in the country's northwest region known as the Bishnoi. Its members are well-known for their love and protection of animals. One of those animals is the blackbuck. This swift and graceful antelope has little to fear from the Bishnoi people because of their beliefs in that every living thing should never be harmed. But somewhere in the state of Odisha, there is a group of seventy villages in Ganjam district whose inhabitants have also been protecting the blackbuck. One of those villages is Bhetnoi, where the antelope is seen roaming freely on its peripheries and at the same time keeping away from the villagers. The origins of the area's blackbuck conservation dates back more than a century ago when a long drought spell hit the locality. During that period, a small herd of blackbucks showed up in the area after which it rained ending the drought spell. The villagers felt that their fate was connected with the blackbucks and thus protected by members of the community. In the 1990s, a local blackbuck protection committee was established along with a district blackbuck protection committee to guarantee safeguarding of the animals. The area is also becoming a tourist site for viewing blackbucks. In an effort to boost tourism, the local forest department set up a four-storey watchtower to provide tourists a chance to view the blackbucks. The tower is also used by the department to monitor the antelopes. In addition, the department has leased private land near the villages to grow plants that are much wanted after by the blackbuck, to avoid crop damage. The department has also stated that it will not intervene in the protection work, but will provide support to the community in the form of compensation for loss of villagers' crops and treating the blackbucks in cases of injuries.

Tourists outside Bhetnoi looking for blackbucks and take their pictures.

A watchtower to observe blackbucks.

I really cannot express what an outstanding job the villagers of Ganjam district have done and continue to do to ensure the protection and well-being of the blackbuck. This goes to show that there are other people besides the Bishnoi, who are dedicated to the protection of wild animals in India. I'm also very happy that the efforts by the village communities has been recognized by the Odisha Forest Department and wildlife experts. Although I'm glad that Odisha's blackbucks are being cared for by village communities, they are prone to threats in the form of vehicular accidents, industries, stray dogs, and poaching. A wildlife expert named Biswajit Mohanty pointed out that a lack of speed breakers on the roads is major threat to blackbucks. There is even a working stone quarry in the area, which poses a threat. He even mentioned about isolated reports of poaching activities by people outside the area in recent years. I strictly believe that these issues need to be dealt with in order to ensure the survival of blackbucks on the long run. This includes construction of speed breakers to mitigate vehicular accidents and efforts to minimize attacks on blackbucks by stray dogs. I would personally recommend capturing the dogs and put them up for adoption. Also, the stone quarry needs to be monitored very closely for any damage affecting the blackbucks and anti-poaching efforts need to be implemented. But on the whole, I'm very proud to see that these villages have taken the initiative to protect the blackbucks and hope this serves as an inspiration to village communities across India in wildlife protection and conservation.

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Wolves in U.S Need to Be Protected Despite Being Delisted

Gray wolf

In the U.S, wolves are now officially off the Endangered Species List. This means that states housing the animals now have the freedom to manage their respective populations. These methods include lethal measurements like retaliatory killing of wolves in response to livestock depredation, along with seasonal hunting and trapping. The decision was proclaimed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2020 and published in November of that year. It came into effect on January 4. One of the states holding high authority in wolf management is Wisconsin, where 528 wolves were killed through seasonal hunting and trapping from 2012 to 2014. The state's department of natural resources stated it intends to start its next wolf season on November 6 this year. The agency further added that it is working on a 10-year wolf management plan to help lead future management decisions in the state. Although wolves are delisted, shooting them is illegal unless there is a direct threat to human safety. Or, if on private land, a wolf can be killed if it is in the act of killing or maiming livestock or a pet. A report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources indicated 90 confirmed or possible wolf depredations through the end of October, compared to full-year depredations of 82, 73 and 61 in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. So far this year, there has been no depredation of a livestock or pet in Wisconsin. In addition, there has been no wolf attack on a human in the state's history.

A map showing Wisconsin's wolf packs recorded in a 2019-2020 winter tracking survey. 

It makes me uncertain what the future holds for wolves in the U.S following their delisting. I find that certain states managing their respective wolf populations is questionable. This is because when people resort to retaliatory killing of wolves, it would result in disarray of packs and bring more trouble to farmers and ranchers. That is, if some number of wolves are killed and one of them turns out to be an alpha leader, then the pack he was leading would become disorganized and its members recklessly would go killing livestock. This, in turn, would bring more trouble to farmers and ranchers who would further kill wolves in retaliation bringing their population numbers down. There could also be a possibility of some unexpected side effects stemming from wolf management. In Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, and other wolf states, the threat of depredation is so explicit, that there is a possibility certain dog breeds resembling wolves could get shot and killed out of fear. One such case was reported in Canada in 2017. The breed was a Tamaskan dog named Kaoru, who worked as a therapy dog with children with autism and people with emotional problems. Other breeds susceptible to such accidental, yet heart-wrenching killings include huskies, malamutes, and German Shepherds.

Wisconsin wolf population from 1980-2020

I strongly urge various states housing wolves to consider using non-lethal methods to prevent depredation from the animals and other forms of human-wolf conflicts. One surefire way is to acquire livestock guardian dogs to protect the farm animals. Awareness programs should also be held to educate and enlighten farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders who are uneasy living alongside wolves. These programs should highlight key points such as how wolves play a crucial role in sustaining the natural environment by keeping prey animal populations in check. This means that killing wolves would allow deer and other prey populations to increase and cause ecological imbalance to the ecosystems of such states. The threat of depredation by wolves is a direct result of people having converted their habitats into farmlands and wiped off their natural prey. It is because of this negative influence imposed by people that wolves have been preying on livestock.

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Commencement of Habitat Survey for Africa's Cheetahs in India

A cheetah being photographed in Africa

The cheetah reintroduction project in India has begun with a survey to find a suitable habitat for Africa's cheetahs. M.K Ranjitsinh, former director of Wildlife Preservation of India, stated that the survey has been initiated by a team of researchers under the supervision of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Dr. Ranjitsinh is part of a three-member committee formed at the order given by the Supreme Court early this year. The two other members are WII director Dhananjai Mohan and the Deputy Inspector General (Wildlife) at the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The ministry has authorized a total of Rs. 2.5 crore to the WII for the cheetah project. A WII report written by Dr. Ranjitsinh and big cat expert Y.V Jhala ten years ago examined the possibility of cheetah reintroduction in the following protected areas: 

• Sanjay and Guru Ghasidas National Parks and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh) 
• Kuno Palpur, Nauradehi, and Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuaries (Madhya Pradesh)
• Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) 
• The Shahgarh Landscape and Desert National Park (Rajasthan)

According to the report, the authors suggested Kuno Palpur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries and Shahgarh Landscape for the reintroduction. They further added that all three sites need preparation and resource contributions to start an introduction. They also emphasized the need for long-term political will, personnel, and resources from both central and state governments to successfully carry out this project. The protected areas in Chhattisgarh, on the other hand, were ruled out due to issues like low prey densities. 

A view of Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary

The report evaluated Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary to have a current capacity to maintain 27 cheetahs. However, the authors pointed out that combining neighboring forested areas to the sanctuary can accommodate 32 individuals. In addition, the surrounding 3,000 sq. km habitat can be maintained as a buffer to the sanctuary. This way, the location can hold distribution of 70 cheetahs. The authors also advised designating 750 sq. km as a core area of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and relocating 23 human settlements from the area with generous and proper compensation. This would allow the sanctuary to accommodate over 50 cheetahs as a source population, while the entire landscape could support over 70 individuals. The Shahgarh Landscape was also found to be an ideal location for cheetahs. Because it is fenced along the Indo-Pakistan border, the authors suggested it to be fenced off by building another 140 km-long chain-link fence to include roughly 4,000 sq. km of habitat. They also recommended relocating local people from 80 seasonally used settlements. They also mentioned that the area could accommodate 15 cheetahs and has the capacity to support 40 individuals with further habitat management.

A view of sand dunes in Desert National Park

I find it to be a major news that a habitat survey has begun for reintroducing the cheetah in India. To me, it indicates the first step in the country's cheetah reintroduction project. I'm equally impressed that the WII report written by Dr. Ranjitsinh and Dr. Jhala in 2010 has been mentioned in this news. This report has given detailed information about the cheetah reintroduction project, including the identified sites of release. One of those sites is Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, which also happens to be the release site for Asiatic lions. Dr. Ranjitsinh assured that there would not be any conflict between cheetahs, lions, and tigers in the sanctuary. However, I still think it is crucial to closely monitor the cheetahs to see how well they are adjusting with their larger feline counterparts. Rajasthan's Desert National Park and Shahgarh Landscape are, without question, ideal habitats for cheetahs outside Africa. The area encompassing these two sites is made up of sweeping sand dunes much like the ones in Namibia, from where cheetahs will be brought. Both the sites are home to the chinkara (Indian gazelle), which historically was an ideal prey for the cheetah in India. However, the state chief wildlife warden Arindam Tomar expressed his concern over the growing tension between India and Pakistan with Shahgarh Landscape situated along the border. I think it is highly essential to tackle this volatile situation to ensure proper safety for cheetahs before releasing them. I also think it is crucial to take measurements to deal with situations like poaching, which is attributed to low prey densities in Chhattisgarh's protected areas. These sites were home to cheetahs and they continued to survive there until after India gained its independence. Overall, I find this news gives a sense of optimism in bringing the cheetah back to India and let us see what happens later.

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Alleviation of Poverty and Unemployment Essential in Fighting Poaching in South Africa

A pair of white rhinos - one dehorned to discourage poachers - in Kruger National Park. 

Whenever there are incidences of poaching, the typical response is to investigate the crime scenes, identify the suspects, arrest the suspects, and convict them. In addition, strict laws are implemented to warn people of the consequences of poaching. However, what most people overlook is that it is connected to poverty and unemployment in countries where poaching is rampant. This was seen in an interview conducted by TRAFFIC. The interview was geared at 73 people from South Africa's correctional institutions. Many of them were youngsters with less than high school education, who admitted to have participated in the illegal wildlife trade due to unemployment and peer pressure. One interviewee claimed that he could earn more by selling two rhino horns than what most people in his community earn in a whole year. Another explained his involvement due to his legal job being seasonal. In the midst of restricted opportunities and very unequal society, the interviewees had noticed that the people with the money are the ones who had engaged in the illegal wildlife trade. Furthermore, none of these youngsters were ever informed about the severity of penalties towards poaching. This was seen when one interviewee explained how he thought he would serve only six months for rhino poaching, but ended up serving ten years.

A tracker dog and its handler at the Kruger National Park K-9 Center. 

It really disturbs me how youngsters are becoming involved in illegal poaching in order to make ends meet. These kids are forced to give in to peer pressure, due to high levels or poverty and unemployment in South Africa. This study conducted by TRAFFIC should be taken into serious consideration in efforts to mitigate poverty and unemployment in the country. Just enforcing anti-poaching laws followed by arresting and convicting poachers alone will not alleviate poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. South Africa is infamous for having the highest economic inequality in the world. The high levels of poverty and unemployment are directly linked to the country's high crime rate. Criminals consist of not just adults, but youngsters too. It is highly essential to conduct large-scale awareness programs targeted at the local youth. These programs should be designed to educate them about poaching and illegal wildlife trade and what they should do in order to help mitigate them. I also strongly urge the South African government to conduct measurements to alleviate poverty and unemployment in the country as a whole. This includes eliminating corruption and guaranteeing that wildlife officers and other authorities are properly paid for their work in ensuring safety for both people and wildlife.

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