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Tigers Face Relocation Due to Overcrowding Crisis
2 Nov
Summary
- Twenty-one big cats housed at TTC exceed facility capacity.
- Four tigers may move from Chandrapur to Pune's zoo.
- Transfer requires lengthy approval from wildlife authorities.
Authorities at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) are planning to relocate four tigers from Chandrapur's Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) to Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune due to severe overcrowding. The TTC is currently housing 21 big cats, including 16 tigers and five leopards, significantly exceeding its intended capacity for short-term care. Many of these animals, captured due to human-wildlife conflict, are confined to small cages for extended periods, with no successful relocations occurring for over a year. The proposed transfer to Pune is in preliminary discussion stages, with the zoo having expressed interest.
The relocation process is expected to take approximately three to four months, as it requires approval from the Central Zoo Authority and the PCCF (Wildlife), Maharashtra. Previously, the Gorewada Wildlife Rescue Centre in Nagpur served as a primary destination for rescued predators, but it is now operating at full capacity. This necessitates exploring alternative options like the Pune zoo. The move to Pune would offer some relief to a few animals, but the remaining big cats face an uncertain future in the TTC, a facility not designed for prolonged captivity.
