Clinton8217;s Boomerang8217;, alive and kicking

JAIPUR, JAN 23: The celebrity tiger Bamboo Ram, Boomerang' to Bill Clinton, re-surfaced at his native Ranthambhore Tiger National Park ye...

JAIPUR, JAN 23: The celebrity tiger Bamboo Ram, Boomerang8217; to Bill Clinton, re-surfaced at his native Ranthambhore Tiger National Park yesterday morning, scotching the rumours that he had fallen a prey to poachers.

He was last seen before Diwali, about three months ago. Bamboo Ram, according to reports here, was spotted by former Park director Fateh Singh Rathore around 8.15 am at Dindunal Darra near Antpura. It was ironically Rathore, who had earlier expressed the apprehension that the ageing Bamboo Ram might have been poached. Needless to say, that this apprehension, articulated by Rathore at Mumbai, had embarrassed the Park authorities a great deal. They, naturally, had no way to rebut it.

Rathore, when reached by The Indian Express from here over the telephone at Sawai Madhopur today, disclosed that he had filmed Bamboo Ram and had compared him with his earlier photographs to be fully sure of the fact that it was only him. He said that its large size, majestic gait and over-all appearance made it distinct. Though official sources at the park corroborated Rathore8217;s claim, Project Director Rajiv Tyagi said rather cautiously that he had got the tiger photographed, but he was yet to have it matched with his previous photographs to be able to say anything conclusive.

Having sired at least half-a-dozen pups, Bamboo Ram, experts believed, had of late assumed a low-profile under the fear of one of his male off-springs, who had laid claim to the harem. They said that he had obviously extended his track to avoid coming face to face with the young tiger. They said that Bamboo Ram had developed a new tendency 8212; to avoid human contact.

Unlike his previous extrovert self, he was now shy and withdrawn. Numbered 111 in the official records, he got this name from wildlife lover Valmiki Thapar. When Rathore exclaimed 8220;Bamboo Ram8221; at his appearance during the visit of Bill Clinton at the Park, the then US president, who could not figure out the desi

name, pronounced 8220;Boomerang8221;.