Speeding train kills female rhino

A 10-year-old female rhinoceros was killed on Monday night by a speeding goods train, bringing the total count in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar’s West Champaran district to two.

The accident took place near the Madanpur range, on India’s border with Nepal. An Uttar Pradesh-bound goods train hit the animal and dragged it for 750 metres, Santosh Tiwari, field director at VTR told The Hindu .

“We have been requesting the railways to limit the speed of trains to 10 kmph at night and 20 kmph during day time. But all our requests have been in vain. Since the rhino is an endangered species, the issue gets importance. Every month we have cases of animals getting killed, be it the blue bull or python, being run over by speeding trains,” Mr. Tiwari said.

The VTR authorities registered a case under Sections 9 (prohibition of hunting), 29 (destruction in a sanctuary prohibited without a permit) and 51 (penalties) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. The driver and the guard were arrested and their statements recorded, after which they were released on a bail bond. Higher Railways officials will be served notice in connection with the incident, Mr. Tiwari said.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/speeding-train-kills-female-rhino/article4527825.ece

Sathyamangalam Forest declared Tiger Reserve

S. RAMESH

Sathyamangalam Forest in Erode district has been declared a Tiger Reserve. It is the fourth such reserve in Tamil Nadu. The three other tiger reserves are at Mudumalai in the Nilgiris district, Anamalai in Coimbatore districtand Kalakad-Mundanthurai in Tirunelveli district.

The Forest Department has received the Government Order declaring Sathyamangalam Forests as a tiger reserve, and the Union government has also notified it, Conservator of Forests, Erode circle, A. Venkatesh told The Hindu over the phone on Monday.

The government has earmarked 1.40 lakh hectares for the exclusive protection zone for the big cats. Of the total area, the core zone comprises over 90,000 hectares.

25 tigers

“Sathyamangalam is home to at least 25 tigers, which has been confirmed by various studies conducted by our department and the World Wildlife Fund. The population is healthy and growing,” Mr. Venkatesh said.

The presence of a good number of tigers in the region was confirmed during the recent wildlife census, as well. Enumerators found marks left by tigers in many areas in this region.

The scat study conducted by the department also indicated the presence of 18 to 25 tigers in the region.

“The creation of a tiger reserve will lead to total habitat improvement and improve the flora and fauna in the entire region. The wildlife managers will be able to ensure greater protection to the big cats. The purpose of the initiative is to protect, propagate and improve wildlife and its environment,” Mr. Venkatesh said.

The region has a unique environment where elephants, tigers, black bucks, hyenas and vultures co-exist. The elephant population in the region is estimated to be around 1,200. The region also witnesses a healthy growth in the vulture population, forest officials here said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Venkatesh said, the Forest Department would not evict people living inside the tiger reserve. “There will be no forceful eviction. The livelihood of the forest dwellers will not be disturbed due to the creation of exclusive zone for tigers,” he said.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sathyamangalam-forest-declared-tiger-reserve/article4524318.ece

Leopard kills sheep

A leopard killed a sheep at Chinna Nayakana Halli in Srirangapatna taluk. According to sources at the Forest Department, the big cat strayed into a shed belonging to Mahadevu on Sunday night and killed the sheep. It dragged the carcass till Karighatta forest, a few kilometres from the village. residents have requested the Forest Department to trap the animal. — Staff Correspondent

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/leopard-kills-sheep/article4524327.ece