Ahmedabad Tiger Roams Wider, Marks 120 Sq Km Territory
A tiger that has been moving through the Ratanmahal area for nearly a year is now exploring a much larger territory. Forest department officials in Gujarat report the animal has significantly expanded its range over the past month.
Expanding Movement Across Multiple Districts
The big cat has marked approximately 120 square kilometers as its territory recently. This represents a substantial increase from its earlier restricted movements around the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary. Forest staff have confirmed sightings across several areas within a 25-kilometer radius of Ratanmahal.
Officials report the tiger has been spotted in:
- Devgadh Baria
- Chhota Udepur
- Dolariya
- Sagtala
- Sukhi Dam area
The latest confirmation came from a camera trap installed in Chhota Udepur. This photographic evidence clearly shows the tiger moving through the area. Forest department staff have also identified pugmarks in Devgadh Baria, indicating the animal's movement beyond Dahod district into adjoining forest patches.
Territorial Behavior and Search for Mates
Forest department sources suggest the tiger's wider movement likely relates to territorial behavior. The animal appears to be searching for a mating partner, as no female tiger has been confirmed in the immediate vicinity. This natural behavior drives the expansion of its range.
Sandeep Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests for the Vadodara circle, explained the current situation. "The tiger's range now spreads across Chhota Udepur, Devgadh Baria and Sagtala. The territory being explored spans 120 square kilometers," he stated. Forest teams are actively tracking the animal's route and alerting local communities about its movements.
Seasonal Patterns and Monitoring Efforts
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaipal Singh confirmed the animal has widened its range. He noted that movement patterns will likely change with the onset of summer. "Yes, it is expanding its territory, but we expect it to come back to Ratanmahal during summer," Singh said. "A camera trap set up in Chhota Udepur is recording its movement in the area."
The tiger first entered Gujarat in February last year. Initial tracking placed the animal around Ratanmahal and a small adjoining patch in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh. Recently, there was brief concern when the tiger went unreported for two days, with suggestions it had moved toward Alirajpur. However, it was subsequently spotted again in Gujarat.
Community Awareness and Conservation Measures
The forest department has increased awareness initiatives in villages near the tiger's movement areas. Officials have issued advisories and maintain an alert network in locations where the tiger has been sighted. These measures help protect both the animal and local communities.
The tiger's origin remains unclear. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has no prior record of this particular animal. It is not yet tagged with any identification markers. Some officials speculate it may have been a subadult tiger during the last census cycle, which would explain the lack of previous records.
Forest corridors connecting different forested tracts across districts appear to facilitate the tiger's movement. The repeated reports from areas including Sagtala, Dolariya, and the Sukhi Dam area suggest the animal is using these natural pathways to explore multiple directions.
