2000 Kilometers! Tiger Sets New Migration Record, ‘Epic Journey’ Ends Short of a Spouse
For months, the attention of numerous animal scientists worldwide has been focused on a male Bengal tiger living in India. This tiger, codenamed C1, wore a GPS tracking collar and was a subject of study by researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India.
Fig: Tiger C1
Based on the location information transmitted from the GPS tracking collar on tiger C1, researchers discovered that it left the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, India, on June 21, 2019, and embarked on a 'legendary' journey, repeatedly breaking the record for the longest natural migration distance for tigers, as recorded to date: in November 2019, the migration distance was 1160 kilometers; in December 2019, the distance was 1300 kilometers; in early January 2020, the distance reached 1700 kilometers;In March 2020, tiger C1 set a record, with a migration distance of 2000 kilometers!
Fig: Tiger C1's migration route
Researchers speculate that the reason for tiger C1's long-distance migration issimply to find a suitable territory for survival,one with forests, prey, water sources, and potential mates. Many people believe it was 'a journey for love'—to find a mate. It traversed forests, fields, roads, and rivers… In today's world of habitat fragmentation, after overcoming unimaginable difficulties, it finally arrived at the Danyang South China Wildlife Nature Reserve.It is remarkable that it encountered no poachers, no conflicts with humans, and no fights with other tigers along the way.
Fig: Tiger C1 at the time of 2019
Researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India, after monitoring tiger C1, discovered thatCurrently, tiger C1 has been resting in the Danyang South China Wildlife Nature Reserve for a considerable period, meaning that this 'legendary' journey has ended.Researchers also discovered that the battery of tiger C1's GPS tracking collar was almost depleted, and if the battery were to run out before a replacement could be installed, it would affect monitoring work, so researchers are seeking opportunities to anesthetize tiger C1 and replace the battery.
So, 'did the love-seeking tiger C1 find a mate'?No.In fact, before tiger C1 arrived at the Danyang South China Wildlife Nature Reserve, this nature reserve had no tigers; it was the environment there that first attracted it.Tiger C1's sudden arrival also sent a signal to researchers:the nature reserve is a potential habitat for tigers.This prompted the Indian animal and forest departments to take the matter seriously, and a committee comprised of multiple authoritative experts was established to consider the possibility of transferring a female tiger to tiger C1 as a mate.If scientists can successfully arrange a mate for tiger C1, it will be the best outcome of this 2000-kilometer ultra-long journey for it.The arrival of two tigers at the Danyang South China Wildlife Nature Reserve is also a good thing.
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