Tiger Hunts Only Wild Prey in Gujarat Forests

A solitary tiger in eastern Gujarat has established a 120 sq km territory, maintaining a diet strictly composed of wild animals. Forest officials' analysis of the tiger's scat indicates a preference for barking deer, with nilgai and wild boar also present, revealing the animal's ability to thrive without preying on domestic animals.

The tiger has actively avoided human settlements and grazing areas, according to departmental sources. A comprehensive scientific study is underway to document its movements, feeding habits, and behavior within the Ratanmahal landscape over the last 11 months.

Field teams are meticulously collecting data through scat analysis, tracking pugmarks, and mapping movements. This research aims to build a complete ecological profile of the tiger and understand its territorial behavior.

Unexpectedly, camera traps for the tiger have captured images of rattlesnakes, flying squirrels, and pangolins, species seldom seen in the area. The sightings of pangolins, in particular, challenge previous assumptions about their distribution in Gujarat.

These findings are prompting a reassessment of the Ratanmahal region's ecological importance, suggesting it harbors greater biodiversity than previously recognized. Consequently, a broader conservation proposal for the area is now being considered by officials.