UDHAGAMANDALAM: With home to 103 tigers, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve has reached its saturation when it comes to tiger population, according to deputy director of MTR-core zone C H Padma.
“There has definitely been an increase in the population of tigers in MTR since the last survey in 2018. We can say that the MTR is saturated when it comes to the tiger population. The increase in the number of tiger population will be accommodated in spillover areas such as Mukurthi National Park and the adjacent Nilgiris and Gudalur forest divisions,” Padma said.
MTR is home to the largest density of tigers among the five reserves in the state.
Tigers defend their territories. It is suggested that the minimum territory size for a female tiger is around 10-15 sq km while it is 50-60 sq km for a male tiger.
While the total area of MTR is 688.59 sq km, the core area is 321 sq km.
Besides 103 tigers (as per NTCA 2018-19 reports) in the MTR, the Nilgiris division of forest houses around 20 tigers and the Gudalur division is home for around five tigers. Mukurthi national park houses at least 13 tigers, according to forest officials.
