Leading a Path of its Own: Case Study of Subadult Tiger Panthera iigris Establishing a Territory in Bannerghatta National Park, Southern India

Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), a protected forest in southern India, historically has had only sporadic reports of tiger Panthera tigris presence, despite bordering known tiger habitats. This paper summarizes evidence collected from a tiger sighting in BNP over a nine-month period. The primary aim of this study was to identify the individual tiger for management purposes and to explore possible reasons for its presence in this new habitat. We employed various methods, including both direct and indirect documentation of the animal’s presence and baseline behavioural observations, focusing on movement patterns and kills. The study identified the animal as a young male tiger with the potential to establish a home range within BNP. Notably, its movements were concentrated in BNP’s northern region, and its range extended beyond protected area limits—likely due to the narrowness of the park, proximity to human settlements, and the large territory sizes typical for tigers. This case study provides baseline behavioural insights, which may indicate the resources essential for territory selection. It also highlights the importance of “stepping-stone” patches that are critical for carnivore dispersal and conservation across fragmented landscapes.