Tiger population dips in Karnataka reserves, officials cite dispersal as a key factor

Carried out under the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s guidelines, the survey employed advanced camera trapping and direct sighting techniques. Researchers and forest officials meticulously tracked tiger movements, analysing pugmarks, scat samples, and territorial markings.

According to the report, the slight decline in tiger numbers within protected areas does not necessarily signal a worrying trend. Conservationists and forest officials explain that tiger dispersal—the movement of tigers from core reserves to buffer zones and other forested landscapes—is a natural phenomenon. Dispersing tigers seek new territories owing to increasing densities within core areas, competition for prey, and habitat expansion.

“Tiger numbers within reserves fluctuate due to dispersal. Some tigers move into unprotected forests, other states, or even human-dominated landscapes. Our past data shows that while numbers inside reserves may dip temporarily, the overall tiger population remains stable,” the forest department stated.

Karnataka has consistently ranked among the top states for tiger conservation in India. The All India Tiger Estimation 2022 placed the state as the second-highest tiger-populated state, with an estimated 563 tigers, just behind Madhya Pradesh.

Wildlife experts believe that while the recent phase IV survey shows a minor dip, the statewide tiger population is expected to remain strong. Forest officials emphasise that fluctuations in numbers within reserves are natural and do not indicate an overall population decline.

The government believes that the next All India Tiger Estimation, in 2026, will provide a more comprehensive picture of Karnataka’s overall tiger population trends.

Joseph Hoover, a wildlife conservationist, said, “Tigers have been moving into other areas, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, over the past one and a half years. Natural deaths due to territorial fights are common, especially during the mating season, which lasts from late November to February. After mating, tiger deaths increase, with an estimated 12 to 15 tigers perishing annually due to territorial clashes.”

He added, “One of the main reasons for tiger movement is competition for territory. The dominant tigers drive away weaker ones, forcing them to seek new pastures outside core habitats, often in buffer zones or even beyond designated tiger reserves. Currently, 24 tigers have been recorded living outside traditional tiger habitats.”