Skewed sex ratio sparks tiger fights in Ranthambore

JAIPUR: The relocation of tigers from Ranthambore National Park (RNP) to other reserves in Rajasthan has disrupted the sex ratio of RNP's tiger population, leading to increased territorial conflicts and even deaths of young male tigers.
In recent years, five male and 11 female tigers were relocated to other reserves, including Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota, Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi, and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar.
"Currently, RNP is home to 24 male and 24 female tigers, along with 16 cubs. An ideal male-to-female ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3 to maintain ecological stability and minimise competition. The equal numbers in Ranthambore have disrupted this balance," a forest official said.
The recent deaths, including that of T-2309, are one of the factors contributing to the increased territorial conflicts. "Territory is not the issue right now. Male tigers typically require a range of 20-50sqkm, while the sanctuary spans a vast 1,700sqkm. By standard calculations, the male population collectively requires only 720sqkm. Female tigers, needing just 10-12sqkm each, share their territory with cubs. However, the imbalance created over time is causing territorial fights," a tiger expert in Ranthambore said.
Experts suggest that relocating a few male tigers to other reserves might help. Age-related challenges are another concern for Ranthambore's tiger population. As many as 20 male tigers are under six years old, while two are over 10. Among females, many are older, with an average age of 15 years. Five female tigers are nearing the end of their lifespan, further compounding the issue.