Poaching of big cats has evolved over the years. While traditional tools such as jaw-traps, spears and guns are still used by poachers, they are being rapidly replaced by silent killing mechanisms such as poisoning (in the name of retaliation) and electrocution by illegally tapping the 11kV power lines. The threat to big cats has not reduced one bit; and protection, law enforcement, and prosecution has become all the more challenging.
In honour of Wildlife Week, let’s renew our pledge to conserve India’s big cats in their natural habitats. For in doing so, we will have conserved all the wonderful life forms that call these forests, scrublands, grasslands and mangrove swamps home.
Related Links
- Tigers: A Troubled Existence
- Wildlife Week – India’s Big Cats Under Threat
- [Interview: Anish Andheria] ‘Citizen science can help reduce wildlife mortality’