Tiger pug marks spotted in Paonta Sahib; welcome sign: DFO

In a rare occurrence, pug marks of a tiger have been reported from Paonta Sahib, about half a km away from Simbalbara National Park.
“The presence of a tiger in the state is rare. Simbalbara National Park staff checked the length and other dimensions of the pug mark, and found it to be of a tiger,” said N Ravisankar, DFO, Wildlife, Shimla.
Wildlife officials are suspecting that the tiger may have crossed over from Rajaji National Park. “The water level in the Yamuna has reduced due to a dry winter this time. So the tiger must have crossed the river to reach this territory.”
According to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the Simbalbara National Park is the only conservation area in Himachal Pradesh where tigers and elephants have been reported.
In a faunal survey by the ZSI in 2005 and 2006, tiger pugmarks and scats were observed twice. One scat sample collected was composed of pure soil with abundant undigested ants. The other sample comprised digested bones as powdery calcareous substances and undigested hair.
Although Simbalbara supports a good prey base for large carnivores, its smaller size is not suitable for a tiger to reside permanently, says the ZSI.
In November, a herd of elephants was also spotted in Simbalbara National Park, now renamed Sher Jung National Park.