MT-4 closed in 28 hectare enclosure since 11 months
Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi, Chittorgarh :- Lightning aka MT-4 Tigress, is closed and caged in a 28 hectare enclosure in MHTR since 11 months, it's same like a life time imprisonment for another Big Cat after T-24, and T-104.
Here it's worth mentioning the only fault of MT-4 was that she got a shoulder injury while T-24 and T-104 are caged inside enclosure on allegedly killing humans, there were protests for releasing T-24 by many wildlife lover but for MT-4 it seems nothing is happening.
Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve became the most controversial Tiger Reserve of Rajasthan, when many tigers died and disappeared from MHTR in 2020.
The only survivor was MT-4, she lost her cub also, of which her picture went viral. She was also found limping and in injured condition after days of search and combing operation conducted by the forest department with the help of the professional tiger trackers.
In upcoming October it would be almost 1 year for MT-4 in cage, Lightning was one of most loved Tigress of the Tourists when she was in Ranthambhore.
She was shifted in MHTR to accompany MT-3 who came by itself from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, they both roamed outside the 80 square kilometer enclosure, MT-3 also later died. While another Tiger couple was inside the enclosure MT-1 and MT-2 of which MT-2 and her cubs died and MT-1 the first Tiger of MHTR disappeared.
MT-4 is living a lonely life since 11 months and experts says that this is not good for wild and free ranging animal, it will definitely affect her wild behavior in future.
Problem with MHTR is that the so called 80 square kilometer Predator Proof Fencing is not at all safe, people are found getting inside enclosure, it was found broken from many places even security wall which adjoins the Iron Fence is also found broken from many places allowing the intruder to trespass into the enclosed area, while NTCA has already asked them to dismantle the ₹ 20 Crore and area wise 80 square kms long Predator Proof Fencing. Wildlife Lovers has questioned that was it the sheer wastage of Public Money ?
Meanwhile why there is a delay in releasing the big cat MT-4 in Big Enclosure ? or Shifting her to Seljar another core of MHTR and why there is delay in bringing a partner for MT-4 ? is seriously worth questioning. But before shifting any tigers back in MHTR or releasing MT-4 the security of the animal must be ensured.
