Karnataka, India, is engaged in controversy on whether or not to artificially replenishing waterholes in tiger reserves in the dry summer months. Some conservationists argue that allowing some to die without water is "conservation" as it elimatates the old and the weak and ensures that only the best genes remain in circulation.
While survival of the fittest holds some truth, another truth is overlooked- that the fittest and strongest of the tigers will, indeed, find their own water- even if that means traveling off the reserves to find it- putting the strongest at risk of human conflict with villages and poaching.
In Karnataka, India, there are 5 tiger reserves which hold about 15% of the tiger population in India, about 300. All of India holds about 40% of the world's critically endangered wild tiger population.
We ask that the state forest department continue to supply water to tigers on reserves. This will protect the strongest of the tigers from conflicts with humans that may wander off reserves in search of water and put them at risk of being needlessly killed.
SOURCE:http://www.firstpost.com/living/karnatakas-conservation-fix-to-fetch-water-for-tigers-or-not-629275.html
Karnataka, India, is engaged in controversy on whether or not to artificially replenishing waterholes in tiger reserves in the dry summer months. Some conservationists argue that allowing some to die without water is "conservation" as it elimatates the old and the weak and ensures that only the best genes remain in circulation.
While survival of the fittest holds some truth, another truth is overlooked- that the fittest and strongest of the tigers will, indeed, find their own water- even if that means traveling off the reserves to find it- putting the strongest at risk of human conflict with villages and poaching.
In Karnataka, India, there are 5 tiger reserves which hold about 15% of the tiger population in India, about 300. All of India holds about 40% of the world's critically endangered wild tiger population.
We ask that the state forest department continue to supply water to tigers on reserves. This will protect the strongest of the tigers from conflicts with humans that may wander off reserves in search of water and put them at risk of being needlessly killed.
SOURCE:http://www.firstpost.com/living/karnatakas-conservation-fix-to-fetch-water-for-tigers-or-not-629275.html
