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Wildlife census in Goa reveals presence of big cats Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary | February 25, 2006 9:06:22 PM IST In a startling revelation that confirms reports of big cats roaming the dense forests of Goa, wildlife officials have found pugmarks of tigers during a census in the state's Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The five-day census, which concluded, involved more than 110 teams of officials from the state Forest Department. Wildlife officials counted the animals by their pugmarks, evidences of struggle and physical sightings. Teams, comprising three to five officials each, were jubilant when they found pugmarks and droppings of the tiger in the thick forests of the sanctuary, confirming their presence. "In the first three days there was carnivore census and from 16 beats we have received Tiger pug marks and droppings and old and new sketches. We also found scats of Leopards and wild dogs and cats," said C.D. Singh, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Goa. The wildlife officials said they were trying to find out whether the tigers have made a habitat in Goa or crossed over from the forests of neighbouring Karnataka. Bhawagwan Mahavir Sanctuary was established in 1969 and is Goa's largest wildlife reserve covering an area of 140 square kilometres. Goa has three wildlife sanctuaries including Bondla and the Cotigao that have a thick forest cover and varied wildlife. The coastal State is famous for its rich flora and fauna and has quite a few reserves besides these sanctuaries. Environmentalists have warned the tiger is on the verge of extinction after reports emerged last year that a large number of big cats had disappeared from India's wildlife reserves. In March, the Centre was criticised after reports said that the entire tiger population of up to 18 animals in the Sariska tiger reserve, one of the nation's most prized reserves, had been killed by poachers and that numbers across the country had fallen rapidly. In response, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh formed a special taskforce to suggest ways of saving the big cats. The census followed an order from the Central Government in view of repeated warnings by experts that wildlife population in the State is dwindling at a fast pace due to increasing conflict with humans. (ANI) -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
