Poaching poses big threat to Kanha National Park

IN DANGER: Two tigers were sighted with leg hold trap injuries in the Park over the past two days.

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New Delhi: The fear of tiger poaching has hit Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The Kanha Park is considered one of the most well protected parks.

Tiger expert Belinda Wright who was at the Park to asses the situation told CNN-IBN that two tigers were sighted with leg hold trap injuries over the past two days.

She says the number could be more and is not ruling out tiger casualties.

The Park however, has been put on high alert with increased patrolling.

Leg hold trap injuries are considered to be one of the slowest and most painful poaching methods.

The problem is compounded with nearly 60 vacancies. The Park authorities find it difficult to patrol the area.

CNN-IBN also spoke to the tiger conservationist Valmik Thapar. He says the government needs to immediately boost the number of forest guards to save tigers.

"Ten months ago there was one tiger caught in a trap. It was freed by traquilising it. It was very lucky that it got freed and its clear that the poachers have invaded the core of Kanha, the tiger reserve which is the jewel of Project Tiger and its responsibility rests solely with the state government of Bhopal for having 64 vacancies in senior positions and 42 forest guards are not in their positions. If we want to flush out a place of poachers we need guns and guards and that’s what I've been shouting about for last three-four years. Even PM has written to CM that fills your posts because tiger is a symbol of the nation's natural treasure. If CM and Principal Chief Conservator of forest don’t act I am afraid action will have to taken on this legally,” Thapar said.