Tiger cub from Umred-Karhandla sighted in Maharashtra’s Pench, hints at corridor link

A tiger cub from Maharashtra's Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary has been spotted in Pench Tiger Reserve, signalling possible natural dispersal and wildlife corridor connectivity. Forest officials said the movement route requires scientific validation, while continued monitoring and habitat protection remain priorities

Nagpur: A cub born to a tigress from Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary has moved into Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, indicating natural tiger dispersal and possible wildlife corridor connectivity, officials said.

The cub of Tigress F2 from Gothangaon was sighted near Chorbahuli Gate of PTR on October 29, they said.

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“A proud moment for Chorbahuli, a positive milestone for Pench and a hopeful sign for tiger conservation,” PTR’s Deputy Director Akshay Gajbhiye said in a release on Saturday.

A potential movement route through Kuhi-Bhandara-Ramtek Paoni-Paoni Buffer-NH-44-Chorbahuli is being considered tentatively, he said.

The young tiger may be exploring the landscape in search of a suitable territory. The corridor’s functionality and continuity, however, require further monitoring and scientific validation, the official said.

“The sighting of the last-litter cub of Tigress F2 near Chorbahuli Gate is an encouraging sign that young tigers are dispersing through the landscape. We are still monitoring, and it is very early to conclude whether the tiger resides there or is only passing through,” Gajbhiye said.

“Our priority is to keep the habitat secure and suitable so that the young tiger can find a territory of its own, and so that the tiger population in Pench stabilises over time,” he added.

The sighting reinforces the importance of habitat conservation and landscape connectivity in securing the future of tigers, the official stated.

The encouraging development also highlights the sustained efforts of the forest department in Chorbahuli wildlife range. Continuous wildlife protection, effective patrolling, habitat improvement, water conservation, construction of forest bunds and community participation have contributed to improving the forest habitat and its suitability for wildlife, the release said.