The spacing pattern of reintroduced tigers in humandominated Sariska Tiger Reserve

This study aimed to estimate the tiger home range size and obtain information on the movement pattern of reintroduced tigers in the humandominated Sariska Tiger Reserve. The observed extensive home ranges (100% MCP method) of tigresses ST3 (172.75 km²), ST9 (85.25 km²), and ST10 (80.10 km²) can be attributed to low prey base and very high anthropogenic forces. Similarly, the observed small home range of tigresses ST7, ST2, ST14, and ST8 viz. 16.59 km², 19.34 km², 36.58 km², and 43.04 km² respectively is due to high prey abundance in their respective areas. The high home ranges of subadult ST13 ST15, respectively, up to 687.58 km² and189.46 km² is due to the initial exploration of their territory. After settling in their respective territories, ST13 in North of STR and ST15 in the south, their mean monthly home ranges respectively decreased to 61.37 km² and 47.67 km². The observed larger mean home ranges (based on 100% MCP method) of ST4 (85.40 km²) and ST6 (79.94 km²) as compared to young ST13 (61.369 km²), ST11 (57.63 km²), and ST15 (47.67 km²) may be due the reason of early occupancy of the respective areas by these old tigers. Nonexpansion of the home ranges of any of the remaining four male tigers (ST4, 6, 13, and 15) after the killing of ST11male tiger in STR suggests nonexploratory behavior of already settled male tigers. The observed high average monthly displacement of the home range for subadult ST15 can be justified regarding its dispersal from the natal area to the south of STR. Exploring the southern part of the reserve and finally settling in a smaller area with minimum displacement of monthly home ranges can be other justification as well.