Why Save the Tiger?

By Dr. Fourkan Ali

Tigers occupy the pinnacle of the food chain and a healthy tiger population is an indicator of the well-being of the whole forest. Throughout evolution predators have had a regulatory influence on the population sizes of other species; it is thanks to carnivores such as tigers that the number of herbivores is kept in check. In turn the number of predators is constrained by the quantity of prey. The populations can therefore only fluctuate between certain limits because of this feedback mechanism.
With the number of herbivores under control but not depleted the forest vegetation is likely to thrive-provided humans do not over -exploit it. Seeds will be dispersed but new growth will not be prevented by excessive grazing pressure. Healthy vegetation protects and nourishes the soil, preventing erosion. The soil filters and purifies the rainwater and safe-guards the water table. Many forests are important catchments areas for rivers, upon which many species including human beings depend.
Species at the top of the food chain are generally larger and require more space than other animals particularly if they are territorial. Conserving such species in the wild protects the habitat of many other animals as well as safeguarding the essential ecological processes such as water and nutrient cycling. Thus the tiger acts as the guardian of many other creatures.

Searching for Tigers

“The first thing you realize is that you seldom watch an animal satisfactorily just by luck. This certainly applies to mammals. An animal detects your presence long before you know it is there. In every case it is a contest of wits-you are pitting your knowledge against the instincts of self-preservation of a wild animal, instincts that are helped by acute senses, particularly those of smell and bearing.”

In general wild animals are shy and elusive. Many times visitors to a National Park are disappointed on not spotting any wild animals especially big game like the tiger and leopard.

Tracks or pugmarks provide important clues. Not only do they tell us of the presence of wild animals but they can also indicate the size, sex and sometimes even the age of an animal.
The marks of animal feet on the roads of the park reveal their presence and the freshness of the tiger’s pugmark reveals its whereabouts. Tracks on the road can also reveal the presence of cubs with a tigress.
Look out for the scratch marks on trees where tigers leave territorial signals that demarcate their home range. These trees are also marked by their scent.
Alarm and scare calls of animals like sambar, chital, bluebulls, chinkara, langur monkey or even peacock provides clues to the exact location of the tiger.
Understanding and interpreting visual signs and sounds is an art in itself. And one of the most enjoyable to learn while you drive through the forest. Always pause, listen and assess the clues that the forest provides about the tigers presence. Remember that the edges of the roads will have scats (droppings) of tigers and their scrape marks, which are also indicators of the freshness of their presence.
Crows on a tree are also good indicators of meat nearby and provide clues to a kill. Tree pies do much the same by either calling incessantly or flying over a specific spot.Remeber to look for low circling vultures if they are dropping down at a spot. They are excellent indicators of a kill. All these scavenging birds can lead you to tigers, leopards or jackals.