A Royal Bengal Tiger has made a remarkable comeback to Arunachal Pradesh’s D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, appearing in camera trap images for the first time in nearly two decades. This exciting sighting highlights the success of ongoing conservation work and the resilience of the sanctuary’s unique ecosystem.
Forest officials confirmed the presence of the big cat during recent intensive camera trap surveys conducted with technical support from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Teams had stepped up monitoring efforts over the past year after detecting indirect signs of tiger movement in the area. While earlier surveys did not capture photographic proof, persistent surveillance finally yielded this historic image.
The D Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its rich riverine grasslands and riparian habitats, also recorded other significant species during the surveys, including the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin and the rare Endangered Hispid Hare. These findings underscore the sanctuary’s vital role in preserving Northeast India’s biodiversity.
Divisional Forest Officer Kempi Ete described the moment as “immensely proud and emotional,” stating that the tiger’s return demonstrates the strength of the ecosystem and the positive results of dedicated conservation initiatives. He credited forest staff, Eco-Development Committees, and local communities for their collective efforts in protecting the habitat.
Rajkamal Goswami from ATREE called the image “historic photographic evidence” and emphasised how collaborative efforts between researchers and locals have strengthened conservation in the sanctuary. He expressed optimism that this rediscovery will attract more scientific attention and support for the protected area.
Local leaders also welcomed the development. Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng termed it a “healthy sign” of improving ecological conditions, noting potential benefits for eco-tourism and employment opportunities for youth in nearby villages. The sanctuary is already being positioned as a key biodiversity and tourism destination, with proposals like rhino reintroduction gaining momentum.
This milestone reinforces Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to wildlife protection. Authorities plan to further enhance habitat management, monitoring programmes, and community involvement to ensure long-term survival of these species.
The return of the apex predator signals a brighter future for conservation in the region and serves as a powerful reminder of what sustained efforts can achieve.
Tags: Arunachal Pradesh, D Ering Sanctuary, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wildlife Conservation, Camera Trap, Biodiversity, Northeast India, Chinese Pangolin, Hispid Hare, Eco Tourism
Hashtags: #ArunachalPradesh #DEringSanctuary #RoyalBengalTiger #WildlifeConservation #TigerSighting #NortheastBiodiversity #CameraTrap #EcoTourism #SaveWildlife #AtmanirbharBharat
