A study reveals that big cats at Ranthambhore are defying the natural law. Although from the same or limited gene pool, they are surprisingly flourishing despite inbreeding, which can lead to extinction. Kartikey Dev Singh throws light upon the mystery
Known for its flora and fauna, the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve has always up thrown surprises over the years. Whether it is the most photographed tigress - Machli - or the unusual practice of tigers scurrying their prey in the lake waters to hunt them down easily, life here has always been full of surprises. While till now surprises are related to animal behavior, a recent scientific study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has unearthed a revelation that has shocked conservationists.
The study reveals that though the current population of tigers at Ranthambhore comes from a handful of tigers, the current population has no signs of genetic or structural deformity caused by inbreeding of animals. A fact that has even denounced the principles of nature.
A paper in this regard - Demography of a small, isolated tiger population in a semi-arid region of western India - points in this direction.
Interestingly, during the 2005 Sariska debacle when the entire population of tigers at Sariska was wiped out, the number at Ranthambhore was estimated to be between 15 and 18 tigers. “With such a small population, chances of inbreeding are pretty high due to limited choices. Even though the current population has come out from a small number of individuals, till now no inbreeding depression has been seen,” says Ayan Sadhu, Doctoral Research Fellow, WII.
Tiger reserve: A curious case
However, the mere fact that no genetic or structural deformity has been observed in tigers at Ranthambhore is a curious find. But what could be the reason behind this development seems to be challenging the laws of nature at present. “There could be many reasons – one could be that the last few individuals were from diverse gene pools or may be their connections with other reserves were available,” Sadhu said.
Big cats here are special
The study also points out at another aspect of the lives of tigers at Ranthambhore. “When the litter size was compared to the litter sizes in other parts of the country like Pench and Kanha and even to tigers in Chitwan in Nepal and with Amur tigers, it came to light that the litter size is much smaller and inter birth interval is much higher in Ranthambhore. Usually, the gap between births of two litters is around three to four years at Ranthambhore,” Sadhu said. He added, “Due to active management, no human intervention and good prey base, the population has gone up. But the connectivity with other reserves is less. Tigers are not going outside and although it is a speculation, it appears that it is this reason that is playing a big role in the delayed reproduction. It may be speculation but it appears quite logical.”
Inbreeding deformity
Inbreeding is summarised to be one of the leading causes of eventual extinction of cheetahs from the world in distant future. “Inbreeding results in skeletal and other major deformities in successive generations eventually leading to decline of a population,” says Tejvir Singh, Retired IFS officer.
FACTFILE
- 15 and 18 tigers: Number of tigers in Ranthambhore during the 2005 Sariska debacle when the entire population of tigers at Sariska was wiped out
- A recent scientific study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has unearthed a revelation that has shocked conservationists
- The study reveals that though the current population of tigers at Ranthambhore comes from a handful of tigers, it has no signs of genetic or structural deformity caused by inbreeding of animals
- This fact defies all the principles of nature and has even baffled wildlife experts across the country
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